The Punta Arenas Cemetery covers about 10 acres (four hectares) of land, making it one of the biggest burial grounds in the region. The massive iron gate at the main entrance was donated by Sara Braun, a wealthy businesswoman who left an indelible mark on the city. Local legend says it has remained locked since the day it was completed at Braun’s request. While the plots were originally reserved for powerful British colonialists, the cemetery also includes the graves of German, French, Norwegian, and Chilean residents of lesser means.
Visitors are welcome to wander around the cemetery independently but it is also a stop on most sightseeing tours of Punta Arenas.
There is no admission fee to enter the cemetery.
The smooth, sand-covered pathways are wheelchair-accessible.
Public restrooms are located next to the cemetery.
The cemetery is located at the northern end of the city near the corner of Bulnes Avenue and Francisco Bilbao Street, just south of Club Hípico. It is around a 20-minute walk from the Plaza de Armas or a quick taxi or colectivo ride. Visitors can enter from either Francisco Bilbao or Angamos Streets.
Punta Arenas Cemetery is typically open to the public from early morning until late evening, although exact times may vary throughout the year. Expect to spend at least 30 minutes there, although it is possible to spend much longer.
One of the most poignant tombs in the cemetery is that of the Indio Desconocido (“Unknown Indian”). A bronze statue represents an Indigenous man who was found dead on a nearby island and brought to rest in the cemetery. He is thought to be the last of the Selk'nam, the Indigenous people of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago.