Ushuaia, gateway to Tierra del Fuego, is situated at the southernmost point of Argentina and is a well-liked vacation destination for those who enjoy the great outdoors and the natural world. Ushuaia, also referred to as the “end of the earth” (it used to be the Southernmost city of the World, title that now belongs to its neighbor Chilean city Puerto Williams), is surrounded by breathtaking natural features such the Tierra del Fuego National Park, the Beagle Channel, and the Andes highlands.
Also, not so far away from Ushuaia, the adjacent Chilean Fjords and Punta Arenas can also be explored by visitors, making it one of the most popular choices for a multi-destination journey in Patagonia.
Attractions in Ushuaia
One of the main attractions in Ushuaia is obviously the Tierra del Fuego National Park, which gives tourists the opportunity to experience the region’s distinctive landscapes and animals in an area where you can find samples of most of it. There are also plenty of hiking trails in the park, including the well-known one that leads to Lapataia Bay and its breathtaking views of The Beagle Channel.
A boat excursion of the Beagle Channel is another option for visitors to explore the local wildlife, including seals and penguins. Different activities (half day or full day navigations) allow the visitors to visit this picturesque channel, including the Lighthouse Les Eclaireures.
Eastern side
To the east, we can find Puerto Almanza (fisherman’s village with lots of possibilities for eating giant spider crab), Isla Martillo (home to a colony of thousands of penguins), Estancia Harberton (oldest ranch in Tierra del Fuego) and Peninsula Mitre – among other highlights.
Northern side
To the North, going right into the heart of Tierra del Fuego, lakes and lagoons in the middle of the mountains are the perfect stop to enjoy the southern Andes. Among these lakes & lagoons, we can find Laguna Esmeralda (4-5 hours hike), Lake Fagnano (longest lake, shared with Chile), and Lake Escondido.
As the Andes lies here from west to east (differently from the rest of the continent which is from North to South), and is not high in altitude (Garibaldis Pass is the highest mountain roadway crossing, with way less than 1000 mts), it’s easy to cross to the other side of the Andes. As a result, the transition from the forest, sea, and mountains of the south, to the flat territory of the north (“Pampa” like), allow us to see different kinds of contrasts and landscapes, such as Cape San Pablo.
Southern and western sides
It’s also important to remark that Ushuaia is a great hub for cruises and yachts that navigate toward the Chilean Fjords (such as the Cruise from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas), Cruises to Antarctica, and Flights to Antarctica.
How to reach Ushuaia
With frequent flights from Buenos Aires, El Calafate, and Trelew, Ushuaia becomes a well connected city by air. Also, with convenient road links from adjacent cities (and after crossing the Strait of Magellan by ferry) tourists can also get to Ushuaia by bus or car. You can also go from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas (in Chile) by bus, car, or through the cruise mentioned in our last paragraph.
Eating and Drinking in Ushuaia
Ushuaia provides guests with so many different dining and drinking alternatives. Traditional meals like cordero al asador (barbecued lamb) and empanadas are also popular in the region’s cuisine, which is renowned for its use of fresh seafood such king crab and squid. The Spider Crab is probably the most famous meal, and despite the fact that many restaurants offer it within the city, we suggest you to explore gastronomic tours around fisherman villages by the Beagle Channel (such as Puerto Almanza). Black hake is also very popular.
Best time to visit Ushuaia
In the spring and summer, from October to March, when the weather is bright and sunny and the paths are clear, is the ideal time to travel to Ushuaia and the surrounding area. Winter weather can be chilly and snowy, making hiking and exploring the area more challenging, however it could be a good option if you are a skiing enthusiast to enjoy Cerro Castor ski center. Furthermore, winter activities in Ushuaia are becoming every year more popular (apart from skiing).
Places to stay in Ushuaia
There are different types of accommodation, from premium hotels such as Los Cauquenes 5* and Arakur 5*, to less premium options – but still nice – like Los Acebos, Alto Andino, Foique, Tierra de Leyendas, Cilene del Faro, and Patagonia Jarké.
Excursions and things to do in Ushuaia
We offer custom tours in Argentina and Chile, and we invite you to explore our Ushuaia tours.
In case you like trekking, you may like our article with the Best hikes in Ushuaia,
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