Excursion Sights of punta arenas tour at Punta Arenas

Discover the past to present in Punta Arenas during this half-day outing. Punta Arenas, with a population of 130,000, is the capital of the Magallanes and Antarctic Region, and it is Patagonia's most important city; its streets hum with activity and its airport and seaports bustle with traffic. The town has made a living from coal mines, wool production, oil, fishing, and as a service centre for cargo ships.

Cerro De La Cruz

The tour commences with a drive from the pier through the city of Punta Arenas to the observation point located at Cerro De La Cruz, where a short stop will be made to enjoy the wonderful panoramic view of the city and the Straits of Magellan.

Maggiorino Borgatello Salesian Museum

Drive to the Maggiorino Borgatello Salesian Museum, which was created by the Salesian missionaries, where exhibits illustrating the habitat and history of Patagonia's aboriginal people and the region's natural history can be seen. The museum consists of 3 floors which are only accessible by stairs and most explanations are only written in Spanish.

Patagonia Institute

Continue with a visit of Patagonia Institute, an open-air museum with horse-drawn carts, farm machinery, and other items from the golden age of Punta Arenas. Due to the Patagonia Institute being an outdoor museum it is necessary to walk around on uneven terrain in order to visit it.

Plaza de Armas

Finally drive to the city centre and visit the Plaza de Armas, where a statue of Magellan with a mermaid and two Fuegian Indians at his feet can be seen. Punta Arenas' earliest wealth is reflected in the grand stone mansions that encircle this square, which were built with earnings from the sheep ranches of the late 1800s.

Following this visit, make the return drive to the pier in order to re-join the ship.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion may include: Punta Arenas, Cerro de la Cruz Viewpoint, Maggiorino Borgatello Salesian Museum, Patagonia Institute, Plaza de Armas

Note

Please note: This tour involves moderate walking with stairs and uneven ground to negotiate. Guests should dress in seasonal attire and wear flat, walking shoes. There are souvenirs / handicrafts for sale in the area of the stops made. The order of sites visited may vary. Explanations in Borgetello museum are mostly written in Spanish. Due to average local temperatures, coaches are not equipped with air-conditioning.