Chile's cruise calls, passenger count creep up in 2023/24 season

Between September 2023 and April 2024, Chile received 260,356 passengers on 410 calls. This was up from 250,000 passengers and 394 calls the prior season and brings Chile closer to the 2019/20 season pre-pandemic level of almost 300,000 passengers.

Conosur President Eduardo Arancibia forecast further growth in the 2024/25 season, adding the association continues its work with public and private sector entities to promote Chile as an attractive and competitive destination.

Punta Arenas leads

Punta Arenas served the most passengers last season (76,537), followed by Puerto Montt (38,945), San Antonio (28,760) and Valparaíso (24,300). Among other more niche Chilean destinations hosting cruise ships were Easter Island (7,446 passengers), Puerto Williams (6,010), Tortel (2,360), Juan Fernández (1,850) and Puerto Edén (1,536).

Conosur brings together the ports of Arica, Iquique, Antofagasta, Coquimbo, Valparaíso, San Antonio, Talcahuano-San Vicente, Puerto Montt y Castro, Chacabuco and Punta Arenas (including Puerto Natales and Puerto Williams), in addition to the concessionaires of Puerto Valparaíso, Terminal Pacífico Sur, Terminal Portuario de Valparaíso, Inchcape Shipping Services, A.J. Broom and tour operator DMC Chile.