Is Puerto Natales expensive to visit?
In Puerto Natales, budget travelers spend $42 (CL$40,283) per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $103 (CL$99,855) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $249 (CL$240,392) per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to Puerto Natales.
Puerto Natales is a quaint locale that appeals to a variety of visitors, each with different travel styles, spending patterns, and budget needs. Visitors can find a range of options for accommodation from high-end luxury hotels to mid-range places to budget-friendly hostels.
Puerto Natales can definitely get expensive if you let it, but you have options to reduce costs, including looking for discounts and coupons.
Within South America, Puerto Natales is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Puerto Montt or Rosario Islands.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Puerto Natales Expensive?
Puerto Natales, Chile
How much money do I need for a trip to Puerto Natales?
The average Puerto Natales trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Puerto Natales travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Puerto Natales cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
To manage your travel budget, it's important to set realistic expectations. Many people think they can visit Puerto Natales on a cheap budget, but most don't enjoy the limitations of a tight shoestring budget. Consider how you like to travel. Do you enjoy hostels, resorts, hotels, or vacation rentals? Do you want to dine out and explore the major attractions? These decisions will determine your budget and itinerary.
Who are Budget Travelers?
You may believe you're traveling on a budget, but unless you're ready to give up some conveniences, you'll likely spend much more than the $42 daily average that backpackers get away with.
Younger budget travelers often stick to this low budget by staying in dorms, eating inexpensive meals, taking public transportation, and focusing on free activities and sights.
Thankfully, Puerto Natales offers plenty of hostels such as Hostel Last Hope, El Patagonico, and Hostal Lili-Patagonicos. You can find budget-friendly dorm accommodation here, paired with a social atmosphere, but expect limited amenities.
Could You Be an Average Traveler?
For couples or families traveling for enjoyment, opting for a mid-range hotel, dining at popular restaurants, and exploring major museums and attractions with entry fees is likely. Most guests in Puerto Natales will want to take in the essential attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. Remember, many activities do come with costs. So, you should realistically expect your daily budget to be around $103 per person, per day.
The range of hotels and vacation rentals in Puerto Natales is impressive. If you're traveling with others, sharing your hotel with a partner, friend, or kids allows you to split the costs and save money. Families will want to find hotels and restaurants that accommodate children. Hotel Martin Gusinde is a solid choice for families, while Hotel Altiplanico Puerto Natales also offers great options. For additional family and couple-friendly hotels, refer to our hotel guide for Puerto Natales here.
Seeking a Stylish Getaway from the Daily Routine?
For those wanting a high-end experience complete with every luxury and high-quality service, expect to spend about $249 each day. To enjoy nicer accommodations, award-winning dining, extravagant adventures, and convenient transport like taxis or private chauffeurs in the destination, prepare for a pricier experience.
Accommodation Budget in Puerto Natales
The hotel prices in Puerto Natales might surprise you. Some places charge much more for added luxury and amenities, especially during peak season. In the off-season, a room averages $121, but during peak season, expect to pay around $226. Prices vary from $69 to $605, but hostels are often cheaper. Booking in advance and traveling during the low season can help save you money.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Puerto Natales for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $76 (CL$72,254). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $38 (CL$36,127) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Natales? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Puerto Natales include:
- Remota starting at $288
- Natalino Hotel Patagonia starting at $179
- NOI Indigo Patagonia starting at $170
- Keoken Patagonia starting at $110
- Hotel Saltos del Paine starting at $82
If you plan your trip for the shoulder or low season and avoid , you'll enjoy reduced accommodation costs and fewer tourists.
Transportation Budget in Puerto Natales
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $19 (CL$18,339) per person, per day, on local transportation in Puerto Natales. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Puerto Natales is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$19
CL$18,339
Buses and driving are your two options for getting into Puerto Natales. You can catch a bus from the city of Punta Arenas, Chile; some bus companies will pick you up directly from the Punta Arenas airport while others pick you up from the city center. You can also rent a car from Punta Arenas to drive to Puerto Natales with.
The city is very small, meaning you can easily get around on foot. When going to the National Park, the JBA bus company is a great option as they offer comfortable options with the same daily schedule.
Some of the standard hotel transfers and transport options include:
- Puerto Natales Airport Private Transfer for $30 details
How much does it cost to go to Puerto Natales? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Puerto Natales will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Puerto Natales
Food is a major reason many people explore new destinations, so don't skip the chance to try local delicacies.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Puerto Natales can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Puerto Natales is $48 (CL$45,728) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$48
CL$45,728
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Puerto Natales is around $47 (CL$45728) per person, with previous travelers spending from $18 to $128. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Puerto Natales are as follows:
- Breakfast: $5 to $14
- Lunch: $7 to $19
- Dinner: $14 to $33
- Coffee: $4
- Fast Food or Street Food: $7
As Puerto Natales is often the base camp for travels to nearby national parks, the city ensures that there are plenty of restaurants to fill up before daily adventures begin. You'll find many restaurants cater to tourists by offering many western foods, especially pizza! Cafes are also very popular here, selling coffee, mate tea, and pastries. Be careful with water consumption, the water quality is considered safe by the government but contains a high concentration of mineral content that may be harsh on a tourist's stomach. With that, you'll want to stick to bottled water and be sure to wash any produce you purchase with clean water.
Many accommodations feature breakfast in their rates, while some may charge additional fees for it. The cost and quality can vary significantly from one hotel to another. Knowing this information ahead of time helps you decide if you need to spend extra money. A tasty hotel buffet could be worth the expense, or a nearby bakery or cafe might offer a more affordable choice.
Carry a reusable water bottle with you to avoid spending on drinks. It's also a win for the environment.
When planning a tour, don't forget to look into which meals are covered. You may be responsible for some of your own food, which could impact your budget significantly.
Typical food prices in Puerto Natales, as reported by previous travelers, are outlined below. These costs offer a snapshot of what meals might cost in the city. Your personal expenses will vary depending on the type of dining experiences you choose and the dishes you order.
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Cake
CL$1,000
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Dinner
CL$17,200
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Coke
CL$1,000
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Puerto Natales
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Puerto Natales typically cost an average of $29 (CL$27,819) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$29
CL$27,819
The major sight in Puerto Natales is located 15 miles northwest of the city called the Cueva del Milodon. The Milodon is a national monument made up of a series of caves and a rock formation called the Silla del Diablo, or Devil's Chair. The area is known as a major archeological site; it is where they found the fossils of the 12-foot Milodon sloth. Inside the Milodon Cave, you'll actually find a replica of the sloth!
When you first arrive in the city, make sure to take a walk to the Muelle Historico, the old dock of the city where only the posts remain. Take a relaxing walk along the seafront to the beginning of the dock were you'll get incredible views of the nearby mountains and sea.
The most popular activity in Puerto Natales is a trek through the nearby Torres del Paine National Park where you'll find stunning mountains, glaciers, lakes, and rivers. The area is covered in well-marked trails ranging from small day trips to week long adventures around the entire area. Closer to the city is the Mirador Cerro Dorotea, a private hiking trail that takes you through meadows and woods to top of the hill where you're rewarded with incredible views of the city and mountains. You have to pay a fee to get onto the trail, as the land is privately owned, but one of the owners will give you a brief introduction along with some tea and snacks when you arrive! Or, for something a little more relaxed but just as scenic, take a boat ride through the Patagonian fjords from a tour leaving from the beautiful Puerto Natales Pier.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Puerto Natales. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Full-Day Tour to Perito Moreno Glacier (Natales) for $120 details
- Full Day Torres del Paine Tour for $99 details
- Full Day Patagonia Tour from Puerto Natales for $95 details
Glacier in Patagonia, Chile
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.