Plaza de Armas in Santiago historic center Santiago skyline with Andes mountains in background Torres del Paine granite peaks and glacial lake Torres del Paine granite towers rising above glacial lake

Best 5 Days in Chile — from Puerto Natales

Puerto Natales → Santiago

5 days · 2 cities · 6 activities · route optimized by distance

A mix of photography, nature, and walking tours. Mostly low-effort and walkable, mostly at your own pace. Includes 6 must-see landmarks across Puerto Natales and Santiago.

Highlights: Torres del Paine National Park Day Hike, Grey Glacier Boat Tour, Cerro San Cristóbal & Funicular Ride, Plaza de Armas & Historic Center Walking Tour, Barrio Bellavista & La Chascona (Neruda's House)

Arriving Wed, Jul 1 Change

This variant starts in Puerto Natales instead of the default, with the route re-optimized from that entry point.

Your Route — ordered to minimize backtracking

6+ activities scored and ranked · route optimized across 2 cities

Where you'll stay
Hotel in Puerto Natales · From $75/night +1 more
See lodging →
Trip cost
~$614 total · $123/day
See budget →
Top picks
Torres del Paine National Park Day Hike, Grey Glacier Boat Tour
See itinerary →

Day-by-Day Schedule — heavy and light days alternate so you don’t burn out

Puerto Natales

Puerto Natales 3 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 1 Wed, Jul 1 Full Puerto Natales
Full Day Torres del Paine granite towers rising above glacial lake
Torres del Paine National Park Day Hike$~10 hrs

Hike to the iconic granite towers in one of the world's most spectacular national parks

$35 Verified Mar 2026 Best Oct-Mar, park open Sep-Apr 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Puerto Natales

Waterfront / Town Center

wifibreakfastheatingluggage storage
Travelers book: The Singular Patagonia $300-600/nightHotel Costaustralis $80-150/nightErratic Rock Hostel $25-50/night
Book Hotel in Puerto Natales from $75/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 2 Thu, Jul 2 Light Puerto Natales
Full Day Blue glacier ice wall meeting turquoise water
Grey Glacier Boat Tour$$$~8 hrs

Cruise alongside a massive glacier and floating icebergs on Lago Grey

$120 Verified Mar 2026 Boats run Oct-Apr 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Puerto Natales

Waterfront / Town Center

wifibreakfastheatingluggage storage
Travelers book: The Singular Patagonia $300-600/nightHotel Costaustralis $80-150/nightErratic Rock Hostel $25-50/night
Book Hotel in Puerto Natales from $75/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Puerto Natales → Santiago
7h ~$140 Bus to Punta Arenas (3h), then domestic flight to Santiago (3.5h)

Santiago

Santiago 5 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 3 Fri, Jul 3 Full Santiago View on map
Morning Santiago panoramic view from Cerro San Cristóbal with Andes backdrop
Cerro San Cristóbal & Funicular Ride$~3 hrs

Ride the historic funicular to the summit for panoramic views of Santiago and the Andes

$3 Verified Mar 2026 Clearest views Oct-Mar; funicular closed first Monday of each month 📍 Map
Afternoon Plaza de Armas Santiago with historic colonial buildings
Plaza de Armas & Historic Center Walking Tour$~3 hrs

Explore Santiago's colonial heart with its cathedral, museums, and bustling plazas

Best spring/summer 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Santiago

Providencia / Lastarria / Bellavista

wifibreakfastair-conditioning24-hour front desk
Travelers book: Hotel Cumbres Lastarria $90-150/nightLuciano K Hotel $80-130/nightHostal Providencia $30-55/night
Book Hotel in Santiago from $70/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 4 Sat, Jul 4 Moderate Santiago View on map
Morning
Barrio Bellavista & La Chascona (Neruda's House)$~3 hrs

Wander Santiago's bohemian quarter and visit Pablo Neruda's whimsical home

$8 Verified Mar 2026 Best spring/summer; La Chascona open Tue-Sun 10 AM-6 PM 📍 Map
Afternoon Fresh seafood stalls inside Santiago Mercado Central
Mercado Central & Seafood Lunch$~2 hrs

Taste fresh Chilean seafood at the ornate cast-iron market

$18 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round; liveliest at lunch 11 AM-2 PM 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Santiago

Providencia / Lastarria / Bellavista

wifibreakfastair-conditioning24-hour front desk
Travelers book: Hotel Cumbres Lastarria $90-150/nightLuciano K Hotel $80-130/nightHostal Providencia $30-55/night
Book Hotel in Santiago from $70/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 5 Sun, Jul 5 Santiago
Checkout & Depart

Check out of your hotel, grab a final breakfast, and head to the airport. Safe travels from Santiago!

Where You’ll Stay

Estimated total: $232–$348

Trip Budget Estimate

$614 estimated total per person
$123 per day
Lodging $290
Activities $184
Transport $140

Estimates based on listed activity prices and hotel rates. Actual costs vary by season, availability, and personal spending.

Typical range for Chile

$250 – $1,750 per person for 5 days

Budget: $50/day — Hostels, local meals, buses Mid-range: $120/day — Hotels, restaurants, domestic flights Luxury: $350/day — Luxury lodges, wine tours, private transfers

Similar Destinations

Similar vibes, fewer crowds — destinations our algorithm rates as close matches to Chile.

🧳 Practical Info for Chile

📄 Visa
Visa-free for US, EU, UK, CA, AU citizens for up to 90 days. Tourist card issued on arrival.
💵 Tipping
10% tip customary at restaurants. Not expected in casual settings.
💱 Currency
Chilean Peso (CLP). Cards accepted in cities; carry cash for markets and rural Patagonia.
🔌 Power
220V, Type C/L plugs. US/CA travelers need an adapter and possibly a voltage converter.
📶 Connectivity
SIM cards at airports (Entel, Claro, WOM). Good coverage in cities; limited in Patagonia and Atacama interior.
🚨 Emergency
131 (ambulance), 132 (fire), 133 (police)

✈️ Getting Around Chile

✈️ Flight

LATAM and Sky Airline connect Santiago to Atacama, Patagonia, and Easter Island. Book early for $40-120 fares.

🚌 Bus

Long-distance buses (Turbus, Pullman) are comfortable and affordable for routes like Santiago to Valparaiso.

🚗 Car

Car rental recommended for Patagonia's Torres del Paine and the Carretera Austral.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 10 days enough for Chile?

10 days covers Santiago, Valparaíso, and either Patagonia or the Atacama Desert. For both, plan 14+ days.

What is the best time to visit Chile?

October-March (summer) for Patagonia and general travel. Atacama is year-round. June-August for skiing in the Andes.

How much does a week in Chile cost?

Budget: $50-80/day. Mid-range: $100-180/day. Luxury: $350+/day. Santiago is affordable; Patagonia is significantly more expensive.

Do I need a visa for Chile?

US, EU, UK, CA, AU citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. A tourist card (PDI) is issued on arrival.

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