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| Puerto Williams | ||
| region | Magallanes region | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 2.500 | |
other value for residents on Wikidata: 1868   | ||
| height | 6 m | |
| Tourist info | (061) 621012 [1] | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Puerto Williams is the largest city on the Navarino Island of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of Chile and capital of the province Antarctica Chilena the Región de Magallanes y de la Antártica Chilena. It is located on the Beagle Canal, about 35 kilometers southeast of the Argentine city Ushuaia.
The place with about 2,500 inhabitants is considered to be one of the southernmost settlements in the world. Just the tiny fishing village Puerto Toro is a little further south. It is interesting for travelers because of the wild and romantic nature and the diverse trekking opportunities.
background
The fact that a place was founded in such a remote area is primarily due to military-strategic reasons. With Argentina For a long time, Chile fought over some islands in the Beagle Channel, which were only finally awarded to Chile in 1978. So in 1953 Puerto Williams was named Puerto Luisa Founded as a naval base and renamed to its current name in 1956. Even today, the military still make up the majority of the population.
The place is a natural paradise and is called by many globetrotters the "real end of the world" - a term that the Argentine, much larger city also uses Ushuaia vies, which does far more advertising for itself. Puerto Williams, on the other hand, is a destination for nature lovers, mass tourism, as with the neighbors opposite, is not sought, the environmental requirements are strict.
getting there
By plane
There is a flight to five to six times a week Punta Arenas With Aerovías DAP. There is also a charter flight that Cape Horn skimmed.
In the street
On the Navarino Island there is only one single gravel road about 80 km long, which leads from Puerto Navarino in the west to about 23 km east of Puerto Williams. If you really want to travel by car, you can do so from Punta Arenas by ferry. There is currently no car ferry to Ushuaia.
By boat
There is a regular ferry service (Yaghan Ferry) between Puerto Williams and Punta Arenas1 to 2 times a week, depending on the season. The fare for residents is subsidized by the state, price for foreigners from approx. 102,000 Peso in the semi-reclining seat (limited contingent that is only released for foreigners shortly before departure) or 142,000 Peso in the reclining seat (advance booking possible). Journey time approx. 30 hours, with arrival at night, which is then also spent on the boat before you can disembark the next morning. Simple meals included.
Between Ushuaia and Puerto Williams there is no official ferry, but there are several private boat operators who make the crossing from around 100 US dollars (usually a combination of a bus trip to Puerto Navarino and a subsequent rubber boat trip over the Beagle Channel). A cheaper option is to ask sailors in the marina whether they can take you to the other side for a small allowance.
mobility
There are taxis, but you can actually walk to everything.
Tourist Attractions
- Nuestra Señora del Carmen. The Nuestra Señora del Carmen Church is the most distinctive building in the city due to its modern architecture with Norwegian influences (acute-angled roof). You can also visit the first house in Puerto Williams, with its traditional Patagonian architecture, which was not built until 1953; there was a radio station here.
activities
From the place you can hike wonderfully and also go on longer trekking tours (Lago Windhond, Served circuit). In the area there are numerous glaciers, waterfalls, dense rainforests, moors (turbas) and canyons. There has been no tourist hype like in Ushuaia so far.
shop
The range of fresh fruit and vegetables in the 3 supermarkets is determined by the arrival of the ferry from Punta Arenas (twice a week in high season, otherwise weekly), otherwise you will mainly find canned goods and deep-frozen meat. Since everything comes by ship, the prices are a bit higher than in the rest of Chile.
Who from the opposite Ushuaia If you arrive, you should do most of the errands there if possible (a lot more choice), but also think about import restrictions for fruit, meat and dairy products (although this is not taken very strictly and people tend to turn a blind eye on entry).
Gas (DIN screw cartridge) is in place Simon & Simon available and there also significantly cheaper than in the trekking shops of Ushuaia.
kitchen
- Puerto Luisa Cafe, Av. Costanera 317. Mobile: (0)9 9934-0849. Nice cafe overlooking the Beagle Canal. It is located in the orange cube house directly at the ferry terminal and offers good coffee, tea or hot chocolate and good cakes. WiFi access available.Open: Weekdays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sundays from 4 p.m.
nightlife
There is a club that opens every 2 weeks on Saturdays (as of March 2015).
accommodation
- Hostal Camblor, Teniente Capdeville 41. Tel.: (0)61 621033.
- Hostel Coiron, Ricardo Maragaño 168. Mobile: 56993548322.
Cheap
The cheap backpacker hostels in Puerto Williams usually have no internet access and no possibility of booking in advance (first come, first serve - but there is always a place, if necessary improvised). Guide price around 10,000 peso per night.
- Hostal El Padrino (directly opposite the ferry terminal). Simple and cheap backpacker hostel with kitchen, very nice owner, who usually brings free breakfast and drops in for a chat.
health
Practical advice
The commune Cabo de Hornos, to which Puerto Williams belongs, has the area code 061
Since most of the cheap hostels in town do not have their own internet connection, there are essentially 2 meeting points to use free WiFi:
- the local museum (slow but reliable internet, but only open a few hours a day)
- the yacht club (very stylish bar in an old merchant ship. Open all the time to WiFi users, but problems with the satellite connection more often)
- In addition, there should also be a local library with Internet access at the town hall
trips
- Puerto Toro. The small fishing village on the east coast of Navarino Island is significantly older than Puerto Williams and was founded by gold prospectors in 1892. Today it is an idyllic little nest with about 100 inhabitants and the southernmost permanently inhabited place on earth (apart from Antarctic stations).
- Puerto Navarino. Largest town in the west of the island, also with only a few dozen inhabitants.
