Car Rental at Punta Arenas Airport

Airport travel guide

Not just a jumping-off point for trips to relatively nearby Antarctica (although it is that, too), Punta Arenas is one of Chile’s most interesting destinations. The main draw of this southernmost of cities is the beautiful nature that surrounds it, but there’s also plenty of culture and history if you scratch beneath the surface. These are five of the most interesting attractions in and around Punta Arenas:

• Punta Arenas. It might be odd to name the city itself as one of the attractions in the area, but with most visitors taking straight off for the stunning nature that surrounds it, it is perhaps a point that’s worth remembering. There are many interesting things to see in Punta Arenas, such as the Maggiorino Borgatello Museum dedicated to the indigenous Chilean cultures of the area, the Naval and Maritime Museum, and the city’s small, but beautiful cathedral. To get a view of the colorful city and the Magellan Strait from above, head to Cerro de la Cruz, a lookout point just a quick walk from the center. If you’re done driving for the day, you can treat yourself with a visit to Cerveceria Austral which claims to be the southernmost beer brewery in the world.
• Penguins. Yes, penguins are one of the main attractions of Punta Arenas. The area around the town and Chilean Patagonia, in general, is famous for its opportunities for penguin-watching. Some of the best-known colonies of the flightless birds reside in the inlet of Seno Otway (about a 45-minute drive to the northwest of Punta Arenas) and on Isla Magdalena Penguinera (you have to take a ferry from the area of Punta Arenas known as Tres Puentes; the boat ride takes about two hours each way). Sadly, global warming and other environmental factors have affected the penguin colonies, so over the last five years, their numbers have been reduced, and often they cannot be found at their usual sites. The most responsible way not to disturb the birds — and the surest way to find them — is to join one of the penguin-watching tours in the city.
• Torres del Paine National Park. There are a number of beautiful protected nature areas near Punta Arenas like the Magallanes and Laguna Parrillar reserves, but if you’ve got time on your hands, you should consider visiting Torres del Paine National Park. The drive north takes close to four hours, but you’ll be rewarded with a true wilderness experience that’s exemplified by unique subpolar woodlands, mountain lakes, and the three awe-inspiring peaks that give the park its name. If visiting this area has only increased your appetite for adventure, you can travel even further to the fjords and glaciers of neighboring Bernardo O’Higgins National Park. 
• Austral Brewery. Businesses around the world will make all sorts of outrageous claims to attract attention, but it is probably fair to say that the Austral of Punta Arenas is indeed the southernmost brewery on the planet. Not just geographically distinct, but also known for high-quality beer, Cerveceria Austral is a favorite of foreign visitors and also no doubt a good place to visit after a long day of driving.
• Reserva Natural Laguna Parrillar. Although smaller than many of Chile’s magnificent natural parks, this nature reserve is nonetheless a beautiful place to visit and hence one of the most popular day trips from Punta Arenas. Located inland, about an hour’s drive southwest of the city, it is known for its many waterways, pristine forests, and diverse animal life. The park is open during the warmer months of the year, from October to March.

Top international routes

• Santiago
• Puerto Montt
• Porvenir
• Puerto Williams
• Mount Pleasant
• Balmaceda

Main airlines

Aerovías DAP, LATAM Chile, JetSmart, and Sky Airline

Terminals

The single passenger terminal serves all departures and arrivals and has three gates.

Location

Punta Arenas Airport is about 21 km (13 mi) north of Punta Arenas, capital of the Magallanes y Antártica Chilena region. Y-520, Ruta 9, Av. Pdte. Manuel Bulnes, and Av. España are the main roads connecting the airport to the city.

Most popular types of rental car

• SUVs - from $61 per day
• Large cars - from $53 per day
• Medium cars - from $43 per day

Car rental desks

Some are inside the airport terminal. The exact location of your car rental provider's desk will be listed on your Confirmation Voucher.

Services and facilities

You’ll find souvenir shops, jewelry shops, convenience stores, and stores selling local Southern Chilean crafts, as well as some eateries, including a full-service restaurant. There are also ATMs, a lounge, a lost and found office at the airport information center, and a tourism information center. Punta Arenas Airport offers assistance to travelers with reduced mobility, but make sure to contact your airline in advance if you’d like this service.

Nearest gas station

Shell gas station, at Pdte Carlos Ibáñez del Campo 05757, can be reached in about 15 minutes. There are other gas stations in and around Punta Arenas.