Though it’s faltered in recent years, Punta Arenas’s major shopping destination is the duty-free Zona Franca, four kilometers north of downtown but easily reached by taxi colectivo from Calle Magallanes. Traditionally, consumer electronics were the big attraction—Santiaguinos even flew here for the bargains—but price differentials are smaller than they used to be.

Puerto del Estrecho (O’Higgins 1401, tel. 061/241022) is a good if fairly pricey souvenir shop; in addition, it has an upstairs café, Internet access, and long-distance telephone service.

For crafts such as metal (copper and bronze), semi-precious stones (lapis lazuli), and woolens, visit Chile Típico (Ignacio Carrera Pinto 1015, tel. 061/225827). For books (including some local guidebooks and travel literature in English), maps, and keepsakes, try Southern Patagonia Souvenirs & Books; since its Bories location burned down, it has outlets at the airport (tel. 061/211591) and at the Zona Franca (tel. 061/216759).