![]() GRADUAL REOPENING OF PROTECTED AREAS |
Stay informed about the latest reopening dates for national parks and their sanitary protocols for visiting via the official Conaf website |
Porvenir is the main city of Tierra del Fuego––the largest island in South America––and was long home to several ethnic groups, including the Selknam, who were excellent warriors, experienced hunters, experts in trail-finding, and among the continent’s tallest native peoples, with an average height of 5 feet, 11 inches. Another group, the Haush people, lived in the Mitre Peninsula. The Haush were expert climbers and, at nighttime, used leather ropes to sneak along the tall cliffs and catch sleeping birds by surprise. Finally, the Yámanas people rowed along the coastlines and in the channels. The Yámanas also were responsible for creating the only cave paintings that have been discovered in Tierra del Fuego.
Porvenir was founded in June 20, 1894, and the town’s first inhabitants––mostly immigrants from Croatia, Yugoslavia, and Chiloé––came to the area during the gold rush. The Tierra del Fuego Exploitation Society founded large cattle ranches in the area, now declared National Historical Monuments. More recently, Tierra del Fuego’s economy has been linked to the development of the oil industry.
Porvenir’s tourist offerings include hotels, restaurants, and basic services. For more information, go to:
You can rent a car in Punta Arenas and cross from Tres Puentes to Porvenir in a ferry that runs Tuesdays through Sundays. Remember to check the schedule and reserve your spot beforehand at www.tabsa.cl
Pullman buses run daily between Punta Arenas and Cerro Sombrero. At Cerro Sombrero, you can take one of the local buses to Porvenir. They run Mondays through Fridays.
Ferries run from Tres Puentes––3 miles from Punta Arenas––to Chilota Bay. The route takes around 2 hours.
You can also cross at Punta Delgada, which is located 105 miles from Punta Arenas along Route CH-225. The ferry takes around 20 minute and docks at Cerro Sombrero. From Cerro Sombrero, you’ll need to drive 75 miles on Route Y-65 to arrive at Porvenir.
Dap Airlines offers 15-minute flights from Punta Arenas to Porvenir, Mondays through Saturdays (http://dapairline.com)
This remote park protects several fox species, sea leopards, dolphins, whales, sea lions, elephant seals, austral dolphins and Chilean dolphins, in addition to 49 bird species.
Immense plains, fjords, channels and unexplored mountains make up this unique territory and biosphere reserve that has been part of the ancestral route of Selknam and Yaghan people.
This remote park protects leopard seals, dolphins, whales, sea lions, elephant seals, otters, austral and Chilean dolphins.
The prolific bird life found in this park includes carancho, kestrel, queltehue, caiquén, ibis, eaglet, black eagle with nest, peregrine falcon and ñandú.
Asado más grande de Tierra del Fuego
The third week of February, the community holds its «Biggest Grill-Out in Tierra del Fuego» Festival, where Chileans and Argentinians compete to prepare the best «cordero al palo» (Patagonian style spit-roasted lamb).
Aniversario de Porvenir
Porvenir celebrates its anniversary in May.
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