In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Chile
Puerto Williams
Spend 1–2 days in Puerto Williams to see the church, museum and a short trek; longer only for multi‑day trekking.
Puerto Williams is the southernmost town on Navarino Island, a gateway to remote Patagonian nature. The town itself is small, so a day or two covers the main sights; extended trekking requires extra nights.
- Country
- Chile
- Best months
- Dec–Mar (summer, best trekking weather)
- Avoid
- Jun–Aug (cold, limited services)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CLP
- Money
- Currency is the Chilean peso (CLP, $). Cards are widely accepted; carry cash for small shops, markets and rural buses.
- Daily spend
- Budget CLP 15,000–20,000 excl. bed · Mid CLP 20,000–35,000 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Entel, Movistar, WOM and Claro sell prepaid SIMs; foreign phones may need IMEI registration after a period — check.
- Emergency
- Police 133 · Fire and ambulance 131
- Plugs
- Types C, L · 220 V · 50 Hz · European plugs fit; Type L is Italian three-pin.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% suggested on the bill; you may decline.; Guides and drivers: CLP 5,000–15,000 a day.; Supermarket packers: A few hundred pesos.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in most cities; boil or filter in rural areas and on treks.
- Toilets
- Paper in the bin in older buildings; bus terminals charge.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | CLP 1,500–2,500 |
| Meal at a hostel café | CLP 4,000–7,000 |
| Ferry ticket (reclining seat) | CLP 195,000 |
| Museum entry | CLP 2,000–3,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- WPU · Guardiamarina Zañartu Airport
- 5–6 flights weekly from Punta Arenas (Aerovías DAP)
Typical fares
- Punta Arenas → Puerto Williams ferry
- ≈ CLP 195,000 for reclining seat, 32 h journey (check)
- Guardiamarina Zañartu Airport → town
- Taxi ≈ CLP 12,000–15,000 (10 min)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Town is walkable; taxis available at the ferry terminal; for remote treks arrange transport with local operators.
See and do
Known for
- Nuestra Señora del Carmen Church
- Martin Gusinde Anthropological Museum
- Cerro de la Bandera hike
- Ukika village
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cerro de la Bandera | Walk from town center, about 30 min ascent | ≈45 min round trip |
| Ukika village | Local taxi or organized tour, ~20 km (12 mi)Local taxi or organized tour, ~12 mi (20 km) | ≈1 h |
Sleep
- Hostal El Resto del Sur
- Hostel with cafe, free Wi‑Fi; approx US$15 per night
- Hostal El Padrino
- Backpacker hostel opposite ferry terminal, kitchen
- Hostal Camblor
- Simple rooms, central location
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedisculpe |
| Thank you | Graciasgraˈθjas |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?kwanˈto ˈkwes.ta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?ˈdon.de esˈta el ˈba.ɲo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: One cheek kiss (women) or handshake; avoid: Skipping the greeting
- Politics: Listen; avoid: Opinions on Pinochet with strangers
- Dinner: Eat late (from 21:00); avoid: Expecting 18:00 dinners
- Nature: Carry out rubbish; avoid: Leaving trails or lighting fires
Scams and watch-outs
- Ferry from Punta Arenas runs 1–2 times weekly; plan around the schedule.
- Winter weather can close roads to trekking areas; check local forecasts.
- Currency exchange rates are better than Santiago but still higher than mainland.
Puerto Williams is safe for tourists; main risks are cold weather, remote terrain, and limited medical facilities—carry a basic first‑aid kit.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Puerto Williams yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Nuestra Señora del Carmen Church
- Martin Gusinde Anthropological Museum
- Cerro de la Bandera hike
- Ukika village
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Puerto Williams, revision 5244813 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5244813
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/puerto-williams). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.