Chile Cruise Ports
Chile is narrow country that runs down the southern western edge of South America, where it extends right down to the far southern tip of the continent, making it the most southernly country in the world and also the closest to Antarctica.
From a cruising point of view, it offers a variety of cruise ports along its Pacific Coast, including a turnaround port close to its capital city of Santiago although its most popular port of call is Punta Arenas, is the stunning Tierra del Fuego.
Chile is a country that has had its issues down the years which has made it difficult for international travellers to head there but over the last couple of decades, it has really opened up to the world and now attraction 1000’s and 1000’s of tourist from across the globe.
Away from the mainland, Chile also administers several Pacific islands including Easter Island, home to the iconic moai.
In this guide to the cruise ports of Chile, I take you through all of the ports that you can visit if you want to head there on a cruise holiday.
Cruises To Chile
Location
Chile is located in the very south-west of the South American continent and shares a border with Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east with the infamous Drakes Passage off of its southern coast and separating the country from Antarctica.
Cruise Holidays To Chile
Chile is a beautiful country where visitors can explore bustling cities, visit historic sites and sail through idyllic scenery whilst it is also possible to visit iconic landmarks such as Cape Horn and Easter Island all onboard either mainstream cruise ships or on expedition style ships.
Chile Cruise Guide
In this guide, I bring you all of the different cruise ports that you can visit in Chile including both ports of call and turnaround ports.
Turnaround Ports
Valparaiso is the busiest turnaround port in the country and is just a short coach ride from the country’s capital city of Valparaiso.
It is also a popular port of call for cruise ships sailing in the region and perhaps most importantly, it is the closest cruise port to the country’s main international airport.
San Antonio offers a much more sheltered port for cruise ship, so if the weather turns bad, some ships will swop from Valparaiso to there, but many do visit the commercial port as part of itineraries sailing down the Pacific coast of South America.
Ports of Call
As well as these ports of call, there are a few popular scenic cruising areas in the country including the Beagle Channel, the Chilean Fjords and the Strait of Magellan.
Although not a port as such, those on some expedition ships can embark at the foot of Cape Horn and head up some steep steps to the lighthouse found there.
Puerto Chacabuco is a small cruise port visited by luxury ship and expedition ships taking their passengers to the beautiful Aisen fjord.
Coquimbo is located in the north of the country and offers access to the city of La Serena and lots of beautiful beaches in what is one of the warmest parts of the country.
Punta Arenas is located on the Strait of Magellan and is surrounded by the beautiful Tierra del Fuego in what is one of the most stunning arrivals of any ports in the country.
Although no where near the mainland of Chile, Easter Island is owned by the country and if you are not sure of the name, you will know all about the giant head statures that are found there and that attracted people from across the globe to visit them.
Located on Wellington Island, this small port is only really visited by smaller ships and especially more luxurious line.
Another small port where you’ll need to be on a expedition style ship but with the views of the Beagle Channel and Tierra del Fuego you get from it, it is well worth the effort.
The island is one of the most remoteness in the world and get sits name from been where Alexander Selkirk was castaway there for over 4 years and is thought to have been the inspiration for Robinson Crusoe.
Puerto Montt is one of the most popular ports of call in the Chilean fjords thanks to the town natural beauty and access to the country’s lake district.
It is surrounded by the peaks of Andes and is one of the most popular resort towns in the Chilean part of Patagonia.
Puerto Natales is a town in Patagonia that is mostly visited by smaller more luxurious ships or expeditions ships exploring the Chilean fjords and Tierra del Fuego.
Caleta Tortel is another small port town in the Patagonia region that allows those exploring the region on smaller boats to enjoy the stunning scenery found throughout the region
Arica is a city in the north of the country that is close to the Bolivian border and that gives access to lush valleys where most of the countries fruit growing industry is based.
Chiloe Island is the largest island in the Chiloe archipelago and the second largest in Chile.
It is mostly visited by expedition ships heading down to Antarctica or sailing around the Tierra del Fuego.
You will likely need to be sailing the region on luxury line to visit Iquique, but it is well worth it as Iquique is unlike most other ports in the region.
That is down to its location on a rocky peninsula on the edge of the Atacama Desert that gives the port town a climate all of its own.
Popular Cruise Lines
There is a growing range of lines that visit Chile with the likes of Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard and Princess Cruises leading the way in terms of large, mainstream lines.
Silversea Cruises, Seabourn, Oceania Cruises and Azamara Cruises lead the way in terms of the amount of itineraries calling into the country for luxury lines.
Republic of Chile
Location: South America
Capital City: Santiago
Currency: Peso
Language: Spanish
Demonym(s): Chilean
Top Ports: Valparaiso, San Antonio, Puerto Arenas, Puerto Montt, Puerto Chacabuco
Chile is a country that has for far too long been shut off too much of the world but thankfully that is now behind it and travellers from across the globe can enjoy its towns, cities, landmarks and places of natural beauty.
It extends down the western edge of the South American continent on a narrow strip of land that runs from the Andes to the Pacific Ocean.
In the mid-16th century, the country was colonised by the Spanish who took over from the Inca but by 1818, Chile had declared independence from its colonisers and since then has developed its own history and culture.
Best Time To Visit Chile
If you want to visit on a cruise, the widest range of itineraries sail there between October-March, the main cruise season for South America.
Chile Cruises From The UK
Whilst it is possible to sail there directly from the UK, the chances are that you will need to be on a World Cruise to do so.
Chile Cruises From Southampton
If that sounds of interest to you, the best range of options tend to be cruises out of either Southampton or Dover.
Here at CruiseHols.co.uk we bring you all of the information you will ever need to choose the right cruise destination for you and your family.
Our destination guides include everything from ports to attractions and excursion to the positives and negatives of the destination.
