This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Puerto Natales.
Puerto Natales is in Chilean Patagonia, almost as far south as you can go in that long and narrow country. About 250 km northwest of Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales isn’t the most exciting town you’ll find in Chile, but that hardly matters as your main reason for visiting is probably one of two things: trekking in the spectacular Torres del Paine national park nearby, or catching the Navimag ferry north through the Chilean fjords to Puerto Montt.
Puerto Natales hostels are a nice place to stay as the city is located on Ultima Esperanza Sound (Last Hope Sound) and offers pleasing views of the sea and mountains. It also has a good selection of restaurants and bars to hang out in, and stores to stock up on any missing gear for your trekking trip; just be aware that anything you buy here is probably going to be overpriced!
There is no central bus station, but most bus companies stop within a few blocks of each other. There’s also no definitive ‘’hostel’’ neighborhood; a few decent Puerto Natales hostels are located near the bus stops and some offer comprehensive advice on planning your trek to Torres del Paine. The town is small enough that if you’re headed for the ferry, the terminal is within walking distance of whichever Puerto Natales hostel you choose.
And once you’re out and away in Torres del Paine, or sailing through the misty scenery of the Chilean archipelago, you'll remember your Puerto Natales hostel stay fondly.
Written by local enthusiast for Puerto Natales hostels
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