Punta Arenas, One Step Away From The End Of The World
Punta Arenas, in Chile, is the southernmost continental city in the world. It is also the capital of the province of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica. Although it is not one of the most touristic cities in that country, it is a very attractive destination that has charming people and is very close to great wonders.
The city is located between the two largest freshwater reservoirs in the world: the Southern and Antarctic Ice Fields. It is also the starting point for scientific expeditions from at least 30 countries. And look towards the Strait of Magellan, a strategic point on the planet.
Punta Arenas is a quiet city that enjoys the best quality of life indices in all of Chile. It also has the second highest per capita income in the country. It also has the cleanest air and waters in the world. A true paradise. There are many things to see and do in Punta Arenas. These are some of them.
Attractions in the center of Punta Arenas
In the historic center there are three great attractions: the Plaza de Armas, the Regional Museum of Magallanes and the Roca kiosk. The Plaza de Armas has spectacular neoclassical architecture. The famous sculpture of the Fuegian Indian stands out. Actually, it is a figure that is in the monument to Magellan. If you touch or kiss his foot, you will return to Patagonia.
For its part, the Regional Museum has a splendid collection of pieces that speak of the history of the area, from pre-Hispanic times to the present day. It has a fabulous underground where a cafeteria is located. Unmissable to go through it.
And in the famous Roca kiosk the protagonist is the gastronomic celebrity of Punta Arenas: the choriqueso. It is a delicacy that can only be tasted there and that is made up of chorizo pasta with melted cheese. Tradition dictates that it be consumed with banana milk.
Fort Bulnes
Fort Bulnes is located about 62 kilometers south of Punta Arenas. The place was declared a national monument in 1968 and houses the echo of the first settlers of Chilean Patagonia. It is part of the Strait of Magellan Park, within which is also Puerto del Hambre.
The fort represents the decisive step for the colonization of that area in Tierra del Fuego. The colonists carried out a titanic struggle for survival in the region and Fort Bulnes remembers it. It is surrounded by fabulous natural surroundings and there is a cafe for lunch and a souvenir shop .
The penguins
It is impossible to go to Punta Arenas and not come into contact with some of its friendliest inhabitants: the penguins. There are basically two options for this: Seno Otway and Isla Magdalena. In Seno Otway there are about 60,000 colonies of Magellanic penguins in their natural habitat. However, this attraction is closed.
For its part, Isla Magdalena is home to the second largest penguin colony in Latin America. Also, near there, there is a fabulous colony of sea lions. From Punta Arenas there is an excursion by water that lasts approximately half a day.
Other wonderful places near Punta Arenas
Another must-see in Punta Arenas is a walk through the Zona Franca. It is a large center that houses about 100 stores. In reality, it does not have such spectacular offers as those that can be found in Panama, for example, but there are products at very low prices, especially liquors and chocolates.
Another must-see is the famous Cerro de la Cruz. It is a small elevation that is a 15 minute walk from the Plaza de Armas. At the summit there is a fabulous viewpoint to admire the Strait of Magellan and the peninsula. There is also a pole with signs that indicate the distances between that point and different cities in the world.
Finally Cape Froward is worth a visit. That is, specifically, the last geographic point of the entire American continent. The tour is done by sea and is almost always accompanied by curious dolphins. You can see different hanging glaciers and the Antarctic landscape in all its splendor.
