Puerto Natales as your base for Torres del Paine
Puerto Natales sits on the Última Esperanza fjord in Chilean Patagonia. It is the town where regular buses to the park leave and where the full-day trips start. Most visitors sleep here, even if they spend their days in the park.
A full-day trip from Puerto Natales runs from 08:30 to 19:00, about 10.5 hours. The route starts at the Costanera, the waterfront, and passes the Cueva del Milodón, Lago Grey, Lago Pehoé, Salto Grande, Lago Nordenskjöld and Laguna Amarga. Park entry and the Milodón ticket are extra. It is a road and viewpoint day, not the full Base Las Torres hike. See Torres del Paine day tours from Puerto Natales for how the options compare.
Our picks: around Puerto Natales
A fjord cruise to two glaciers, the Milodon Cave and Laguna Sofía, or a park day with the cave.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers cruise from Puerto Natales
- Bernardo O'Higgins park entry
- Port fees
- Coffee or tea
A half-day boat trip on the fjord to two glaciers in the neighbouring national park, with its entry and port fees included. It does not enter Torres del Paine.
Check availability →Milodon Cave and Laguna Sofía half-day tour
- Certified guide
- Hotel pickup
- Transport on the route
Five hours with a certified guide and transport from your hotel to the cave and the lagoon. The cave entry is extra.
Check availability →
Torres del Paine and Milodon Cave in a small group
- Pickup in Puerto Natales
- Park viewpoints and short walks
- Milodon Cave stop
A full day with viewpoints in the park, short walks and a stop at the Milodon Cave. Park and cave entry are extra.
Check availability →Tours from Puerto Natales
Full-day trips to Torres del Paine, hikes and guided options that start in town, with live prices and availability. Entry tickets are usually extra.
Cueva del Milodón
A large cave about 25 km north of town, and a standard stop on the day trips.
The Cueva del Milodón is a natural monument north of Puerto Natales. Two short paths lead from the entrance area. The Cueva Grande path is 350 m and takes about 30 minutes. The viewpoint path is 650 m and takes about 45 minutes.
Part of the path inside the main cave is closed for safety reasons until 31 December 2026. The rest of the visit is possible. If the cave is on your list, check the current status on the day you go.
| Visitor | Adult | Youth |
|---|---|---|
| Chilean visitors | CLP 5,500 | CLP 3,400 |
| Foreign visitors | CLP 12,000 | CLP 6,000 |
Prices are the 2026 entry fees. Seniors and visitors with a disability pay the adult foreign rate, and children pay no fee. Opening hours run from 08:00 to 18:30 or from 08:30 to 19:00 every day, and the site is closed on 1 January, so plan to arrive well before closing.
Things to do in Puerto Natales
The town is small, so most of the sights are outside it.
Walk the Costanera
The waterfront promenade looks over the fjord and is the start of the full-day trip. It is a quiet way to spend the evening after a day in the park or the afternoon before an early bus.
Visit the Milodón Cave
Count on a half day if you go on your own from town. On a full-day trip it is the first stop, so you do not need to plan it separately.
Take a day trip to the park
The full-day trip covers the main viewpoints and the Grey, Pehoé and Nordenskjöld lakes. If you want a long hike instead, read the Base Las Torres hike, which is about 8 hours of walking on its own.
Prepare for a trek
Puerto Natales is also the place to sort out your plan for the W or the O. Mountain overnights must be reserved before you enter, and the park ticket is separate. Start with the W Trek or refugios and camping.
Getting from Puerto Natales to the park and beyond
Buses run to the main park stops. Fares are 2026/27 and change.
To the park
The bus costs CLP 18,000 one way or CLP 35,000 return. The Grey sector costs CLP 30,000 one way or CLP 45,000 return. The ride takes from about 2 hours, depending on the stop. Details are on how to get to Torres del Paine.
To Punta Arenas
The bus to Punta Arenas takes about 3:15 hours. Semi-Cama costs CLP 11,000 one way and CLP 20,000 return, Salón Cama CLP 14,000 one way.
To El Calafate
The long-distance bus across the border takes 5 to 6 hours. Read El Calafate and Torres del Paine before you book.
Flights
The town has an airport, but LATAM has announced reduced operations and cancelled flights from January to March 2027 on the routes from Santiago and Puerto Montt. Punta Arenas is the alternative.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where Puerto Natales fits.
Puerto Natales: frequently asked questions
Is Puerto Natales a good base for Torres del Paine?
Yes, for day trips and for the days before and after a trek. The regular buses and the full-day trips start here, and the park is about 2 hours away by bus, depending on your stop.
What is there to do in Puerto Natales?
The Costanera waterfront, the Cueva del Milodón about 25 km north of town and the day trips to the park are the main things. Most of the sights are outside the town itself.
Is the Milodón Cave open?
A limited part of the main cave is closed for safety reasons until 31 December 2026. The rest of the visit is possible, so check on the day.
How much does the Milodón Cave cost?
In 2026 the entry fee for foreign adults is CLP 12,000 and for foreign youth CLP 6,000. Chilean adults pay CLP 5,500 and youth CLP 3,400.
Is this the official site of Puerto Natales?
No. This is an independent guide to Torres del Paine and its base towns. It is not run by the town, the park administration or a tour operator.