-CURIOSITY HAS NO BORDERS-
south america / A Travel Journal
chile
“Where the Andes meets the sea.“
January 8-9, 2024
At a Glance
CAPITAL
Santiago
LANGUAGE
Spanish
CURRENCY
Chilean Peso (CLP)
BEST TIME
September–November & March–May
TIME ZONE
CLT (UTC−4) / CLST (UTC−3) during daylight saving time
DRIVING SIDE
Right
DAYS STAYED
2 Days
PLACES VISITED
Punta Arenas
Navigate This Journey
Jump to any part of this trip
Our Journey
Our Gateway to Antarctica
Punta Arenas, Chile was the place we stayed on our way to Antarctica.
And if I am being fair to Punta Arenas, that probably made it a little difficult for us to fully appreciate everything Chile had to offer. When Antarctica is sitting on your agenda, it is hard for anything else to compete for your attention.
We had chosen an expedition that departed from Punta Arenas and, more importantly, allowed us to fly over the Drake Passage instead of sailing through it. Considering the Drake Passage has a reputation for being one of the roughest stretches of water in the world, this seemed like an excellent decision.
Why spend two days potentially being tossed around on a ship when you can just fly over it?
Where Curiosity Took Us
#2 Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas sits on the Strait of Magellan in Chilean Patagonia and is one of the southernmost cities in the world. Colorful rooftops, windswept waterfronts, and dramatic landscapes give it a true end-of-the-world feel, while its location makes it a popular gateway to Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, and Antarctica.
Historical Feature
The Rescue That Sailed From the End of the World
THE YELCHO AND THE MEN WHO WERE WAITING | PUNTA ARENAS, CHILE
In 1916, Punta Arenas became the launching point for one of the most extraordinary rescue missions in Antarctic history.
And the ship sent to do it was not exactly built for the job.
More than a year earlier, British explorer Ernest Shackleton had set out on an ambitious expedition to cross Antarctica. Before he and his men could even reach the continent, their ship, the Endurance, became trapped in the ice of the Weddell Sea.
For months, the crew drifted helplessly with the frozen ship.
Then the ice finally won.
In November 1915, the Endurance sank beneath the Antarctic ice, leaving Shackleton and his crew stranded with little more than lifeboats, supplies, and whatever they had managed to save from the ship.
WHAT MAKES IT INCREDIBLE
- A small ship, never meant for Antarctic voyages, took on an impossible mission.
- The rescue crossed some of the most dangerous waters on the planet.
- 22 men had been waiting for more than four months with little hope left.
- Captain Luis Pardo and his crew became national heroes for their courage and determination.
- A story of human endurance, leadership, and never giving up on each other.
“At the edge of the world, one small ship proved that courage can reach any distance.”
Captain Pardo and his crew became national heroes for their courage and determination.
📍 VISIT THE HISTORY
Learn more about this heroic rescue and see exhibits about the Yelcho and Captain Luis Pardo at the Museo Regional de Magallanes.
💡 DID YOU KNOW?
Captain Luis Pardo Villalón was a Chilean Navy officer who accepted the dangerous mission to rescue Ernest Shackleton’s men. The Yelcho sailed from Punta Arenas on August 25, 1916, and returned on September 3, 1916. A mission that made history.
Local Food
Chile’s food was one of those parts of the trip that I wish I remembered a little better. One meal that did stand out was at Speechless Patagonia, where we tried a few dishes that felt especially tied to the region: Sopaipilla Patagónica, traditional Chilean fried bread served Patagonia-style; Risotto de Cordero Magallánico, Magellanic lamb chop served over lamb risotto; and Salmón Salvaje a la Plancha, grilled Patagonian wild salmon with herbs. Beyond that, I honestly do not remember much of what else we ate, but that meal gave us a good taste of the rich, hearty flavors of southern Chile.
Must Try
- Empanadas de Pino
- Pastel de Choclo
- Completo
- Cazuela
- Curanto
- Sopaipillas
- Humitas
- Pebre
- Fresh Chilean Seafood
- Alfajores
- Mote con Huesillos
Through My Lens
The Photo That Tells the Story
At the Edge of the Map
There was something about standing along the waterfront in Punta Arenas that made the world feel both enormous and strangely quiet. The statue pointing toward Antarctica, the ship passing through the Strait of Magellan, and the endless stretch of water beyond it seemed to capture exactly where we were—a place shaped by explorers, sailors, and people willing to keep going when the map seemed to run out.
For me, this photo is a reminder that sometimes the most memorable part of travel is simply standing somewhere far from home, looking toward the horizon, and realizing just how much of the world there still is to see.
Punta Arenas
Plan Your Trip
The little things that make traveling a whole lot easier.
🪢 Local Customs & Etiquette
💬 Useful Local Phrases
💰 Money, Payments & Tipping
📅 Climate & Best Time to Visit
✈️ Getting There & Getting Around
🛏️ Where to Stay
🛡️ Health, Safety & Hydration
🔌 Staying Plugged In
🛂 Visa & Entry Requirements
Packing List
Pack smart. Travel lighter. Leave room for the unexpected.
🎒
Essentials
VIEW LIST ↓
- Passport
- Credit/debit cards + some Chilean pesos
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Lightweight layers
- Warm sweater or fleece
- Waterproof/windproof jacket
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Phone + charger
- Type C/L travel adapter
- Prescription medications
- Small day bag
🧴
Nice to Have
VIEW LIST ↓
- Refillable water bottle
- Portable power bank
- Camera
- Packing cubes
- Lip balm with SPF
- Small first-aid kit
- Offline maps
- Quick-dry clothing
- Travel umbrella
🧥
Seasonal Additions
VIEW LIST ↓
- Summer: breathable clothing, sun hat, sunscreen, light jacket for cooler evenings
- Spring & Fall: sweater or light jacket, waterproof shoes, extra layers, rain shell
- Winter: warm coat, gloves, scarf, hat, insulated waterproof boots
- Patagonia: warm layers, waterproof/windproof jacket, sturdy hiking shoes, gloves and hat
- Atacama Desert: lightweight daytime clothing, sun hat, extra sunscreen, warm layer for cold nights
- Hiking Days: supportive hiking shoes, small daypack, extra water, trekking poles if needed
- Cities & Wine Regions: comfortable walking shoes, polished casual layers, light jacket
Travel Lessons
❝
If Antarctica is next on the itinerary, everywhere else becomes the waiting room.“
❝
Flying over the Drake Passage is what I like to call strategic decision-making.“
❝
Thirty-five pounds of luggage sounds reasonable until you remember you’re packing for two weeks and Antarctica.“
Our Curiosity Rating
Our completely subjective take on Chile — based on what we experienced, loved, photographed, ate, survived, and would happily do again.
Culture
★★★★
Wildlife
★
Photography
★★
Adventure
★★
Food
★★★
Would we go back?
★★★★
Our Passport Stamps
Every stamp tells a story.
Written by
Ali Kubeck
Curiosity Has No Borders is more than a travel blog—it’s our journey of exploring the world with curiosity, connection, and an open mind. Together, Sarah and I seek authentic experiences, embrace the unexpected, and find meaning in the moments that can’t be planned. We hope our adventures inspire others to step beyond their comfort zones and discover how travel can change the way we see the world.
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Leave a Comment
We’d love to hear from you — whether you’ve been to this destination, have questions about the trip, or just want to share a thought. Comments are open below.
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