Is Puerto Natales Safe for Solo Female Travelers? Safety Ratings & Travel Reports

Puerto Natales is generally considered safe for solo female travelers. Like anywhere, it's always important to remain vigilant and mindful of your surroundings and belongings. Local people are friendly and helpful. However, it is a remote region, so care should be taken when hiking or exploring outdoor areas. Always let someone know your plans ahead of time. Petty crime is relatively low but can still occur. The main potential issues could come from unpredictable weather and outdoor activities, so make sure to always be prepared, especially if hiking in the National Park.

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How safe is Puerto Natales?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Safe

Puerto Natales is generally a safe place, even for solo female travelers. Like all places, it is advisable to practice common safety precautions especially at night, such as avoiding poorly lit and deserted areas and always keeping your belongings secure. However, the town is quite small and friendly, and serious crime is relatively rare. It's advisable to stick to populated, well-lit streets and always be aware of your surroundings.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in Puerto Natales, is generally safe and reliable. Buses and taxis are commonly used for travelling to different destinations. However, it's always important to be cautious and keep an eye on your belongings while using any form of public transportation.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Low

Puerto Natales is generally a safe and respectful destination for solo female travelers. Instances of street harassment or catcalling are relatively low compared to other locations worldwide. However, as with any place, it's still important to maintain vigilance, avoid isolated areas especially at night, and follow local customs and dress codes to ensure utmost security.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Low

Petty crimes such as pickpocketing or bag snatching in Puerto Natales are relatively low. As a popular gateway to Patagonia, the city is a tourist-friendly destination with local people known for their helpfulness and kindness. However, travelers should always exercise caution, especially in crowded places or while carrying valuable items, as petty crime can occur anywhere.

Is Puerto Natales worth visiting?

Camila

Camila

Argentina

Couple travel

Hello! My name is Camila, and the first time I visited Puerto Natales was when I was 18 years old (in 2019). My partner and I secured a volunteer position at a local hostel (Lili Patag贸nicos), and I arrived first (he had to finish a job in Ushuaia). The owner of the hostel was always super friendly with me, but there was an older volunteer with whom I didn't feel very comfortable. Faced with an uncomfortable situation (which was going to end in abuse), I told the owner, and he immediately told that volunteer to leave right away. Apart from that situation, the rest of my experience there was beautiful. There are many things to do since there is a National Park (Torres del Paine), and at that hostel, every month, they gave us excursions as a gift, allowing us to explore quite a bit. We didn't go to many restaurants, but we did visit very nice bars like Basecamp and Last Hope. At that time, the exchange rate from Argentine pesos to Chilean pesos favored us, but it's still a bit expensive, depending on everyone's economy. The hostel is very nice and welcoming. Since it was the low season, we were given a private room with a shared bathroom. Puerto Natales is a large town/small city, and it's easy to get everywhere (within the town). To go to the park, you needed some form of transportation, such as a bus or transfer. We didn't have a fixed itinerary, only the days and hours we had to work; the rest of the time, we were free to explore. I hope my information is helpful! 馃馃徏

Posted: December 8, 2023Experienced: July, 2019
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Is Puerto Natales safe right now?

Before your visit to Puerto Natales, it's essential to check travel advisories for Chile, including your home country's official travel advisory. These advisories can provide up-to-date information on safety, health, and any specific considerations for travelers.
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United States Travel AdvisoryExercise a high degree of caution

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Canada's Travel AdvisoryExercise a high degree of caution

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Australia's Travel AdvisoryExercise a high degree of caution

Safety in Chile