5 min read

Punta Arenas, Patagonia, Chile, South America (2016)

Photo by Maria Dillon, Source: La Luna Restaurant
Photo by Maria Dillo

I found myself here in November 2016 as part of my journey to explore Antarctica. It proved a great place to stop for a couple of days before flying off to the Falkland Islands.

A red, white, and blue flag.

Punta Arenas Facts:

  • Language: The main language is Spanish. English is spoken by tourism professionals. It is worth learning at least some basic Spanish.
  • Currency: Chilean peso
  • Punta Arenas is one of the largest cities in Patagonia.
  • It is the coldest coastal city in South America due to its proximity to the Antarctic shelf.
  • It is often used as the gateway for trips to Antarctica.

It's funny what you can find on the back of a toilet door. Pure artwork!! Better than the scribblings I normally see on the back of UK toilet doors!

The funny things we see on the backs of toilet doors! La Luna Restaurant (Photo by Maria Dillon, Source: La Luna Restaurant)

Strolling down the road, I came across this:

Monument Hernando de Laguallanes (Photo by Maria Dillon)

It was refreshing to visit the Waterfront Promenade. Very quiet with a brooding sky.

Waterfront Promenade: Mixing the old with the new overlooked, by a brooding sky (Photo by Maria Dillon)
Waterfront Promenade: An interesting boardwalk that has seen better times (Photo by Maria Dillon)
Waterfront Promenade: A perfect place to sit and have a game of chess or draughts! (Photo by Maria Dillon)

My top 7 things I enjoyed in Punta Arenas:

  1. Being greeted at the airport by a Chilean taxi driver in the arrivals area. He was so transparent and honest - while I was feeling apprehensive. We enjoyed a lovely conversation as he drove me to my accommodation.
  2. Breakfasts sitting in the Pavillion area of the Hotel Jose Nogueira every morning. Windows out onto the world outside. Inside it was peaceful, calm, and green with plants.
  3. Being helped in a chocolate shop - Chocolat Regionales - by the English-speaking locals. I wanted to spend all my remaining Chilean pesos on chocolate before departing. It was funny. There was a lot of laughter.
  4. Being able to stroll safely down the street as a single woman. I hadn't known what to expect. It felt comfortable. No one stared or catcalled. I could feel my confidence growing
  5. Strolling down the Waterfront Promenade. The quiet and space to take photos. There did not seem to be any other tourists around. Just an inquisitive young man who soon let me be. So peaceful.
  6. People watching from a window table at Amaranta Tea Shop and enjoying my 'jar' of tea. The tourists really stood out mainly due to their outdoor apparel. I wondered if they dressed like that at home.
  7. The huge crab pancakes at La Luna restaurant and the amazing artwork in their toilets (as displayed on this blog)!

Final thoughts:

As a single female traveler, I felt safe wandering around Punta Arenas on my own. When I needed help I found both males and females very approachable and friendly.

I wouldn't hesitate to come back here again someday and do some more exploring - including visiting the many chocolate shops!

Please feel free to copy and share the photos contained in this blog, quoting the Source. The copyright for photos remains with Maria Dillon.

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