Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas is a Chilean city on the shore of the Strait of Magellan, one of the southernmost large cities in the world. It grew up on maritime trade and sheep farming, and today it serves as the main gateway to the Patagonian parks and the departure point for flights towards Antarctica.

For a traveler, this is usually the first stop before Torres del Paine: the airport, a warm jacket and the last big supermarket before heading north. The wind from the strait blows here almost always, so the city quickly reminds you that Patagonia begins just outside the door.