If you're arriving at Punta Arenas on a cruise and want to enjoy a day trip, visiting Bulnes Fort is a must. You'll see the Patagonian forest, the viewpoint of the Strait of Magellan, and the geographical milestone of "half of Chile."
Day Trip Details
Just arrived on a cruise ship to Punta Arenas? Welcome! Now, it's time to visit one of the most remote places in Chile: the Bulnes Fort. To do so, we'll pick you up at the cruise port, and from there, we'll set off south. Let's go!
During our 50-minute journey, the scenery will start to transform as we leave the city behind and see the wild nature of Patagonia open before our eyes. The lengua forests, caulkers that color the panorama blue, and the typical sea breeze of the Strait of Magellan will announce our arrival at our destination.
Once at the Bulnes Fort, we'll hop off the vehicle and travel back in time. We'll tell you how this bastion, which dates back to 1843, was erected when Chile decided to take over the Strait of Magellan. You'll see a strategic and symbolic point in the city!
We'll walk along its structures of dark wooden structures and shingled roofs, imagining what life was like back then. We'll talk about the harsh winters, the scarcity of food, and a setting that could have felt like both freedom and a sentence. Did you know the Bulnes Fort was abandoned just four years after it was founded? You'll find out why!
Our tour will continue toward the viewpoint of the Strait of Magellan, where you'll admire a breathtaking natural spectacle. This channel that connects two oceans will unfold, and you'll see the horizon split at the edge of the continent. It's the kind of view that will give you goosebumps!
The next stop will be the Visitor's Center, a modern space that will help us connect the dots between the past and the area's natural wealth. You'll see models, maps, fossils, and stories of the Indigenous People who inhabited this land before the Europeans arrived.
Lastly, we'll reach the geographical milestone known as the "half of Chile," which marks the country's symbolic center.
Our day trip will conclude by returning to the pickup point after a total of 4.5 hours.
