Tips To Planning Your Trip to Ushuaia

If you’re coming all the way to Argentina, it’s worth travelling right down to the tip of the country, and the continent, to visit the southernmost city in the world: Ushuaia. This is where the Pan-American highway ends, where Charles Darwin sailed across the Beagle Channel, and where intrepid travellers come to start their journey to Antarctica. Ushuaia is not, however, a destination for the budget-conscious adventurer. Many things are expensive here, and it is not particularly close to Argentina’s other tourist hotspots. It’s still very much worth fitting into your itinerary, though. If you are planning a trip to Ushuaia, read on for all the information you need to put together the perfect Ushuaia itinerary.

Argentina’s southernmost city is framed by snowy mountains and the Beagle Channel / Photo by Daytours4u

TRAVELLING TO USHUAIA:

The best way to get to Ushuaia from Buenos Aires is by plane. Aerolineas Argentinas and other local companies have flights down here, and Aerolineas has multiple flights a day in high season. Other flight connections include El Calafate, Santiago, and Punta Arenas.

Alternatively, you can take a bus. From Buenos Aires, however this is not very good option as this would be a 50 + hour journey. Even from the nearest tourist destination, El Calafate, it’s a long trip. The distance is compounded by the fact that road access to the island of Tierra del Fuego is through Chile, and involves two border crossings and a ferry. This option is best if you’re also visiting El Calafate, have time in your itinerary, and are on a strict budget.

If you’re coming from Chile, you can take a bus from Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas. From Punta Arenas, the trip is approximately 11 hours.

The glistening Laguna Esmeralda in Tierra del Fuego / Photo by Brasileiros em Ushuaia

BUDGETING FOR USHUAIA:

Despite the fact that Tierra del Fuego province is a tax-free zone (an incentive to get locals and industry to move down here), Ushuaia is not cheap. Its harsh climate makes agricultural work challenging and its location makes bringing in fresh produce and other goods difficult. It’s an expensive place to live, which in turn makes it an expensive place to visit.

Accommodation:

There is a wide range of accommodation options available, with youth hostels, spa resort hotels, cosy B&Bs and Airbnb options for all budgets. When booking your hotel, check out the location on a map. Ushuaia is situated on the mountain slope and the roads are very steep. Five blocks from the port may not seem that much on a map, but in reality, it will involve a tiring walk up the hill.

Eating:

Eating out in Ushuaia is more expensive than in other parts of Argentina, even Buenos Aires. When in Ushuaia, be sure to try the local Patagonian specialties: lamb and trout. Ushuaia is also well known for its crab (centolla) and other seafood. There are a number of restaurants on the main street in town, San Martin, as well as on the coastal road, Maipu. If you’re really hungry, head to a parrilla like La Estancia, which is Tenedor Libre  - where you pay a set price and can eat as much as you can.

Shopping:

Since Ushuaia is a tax-free zone, there are a few duty-free shops in town - these are good places to pick up things like liquor and chocolate. For normal shopping needs, San Martin street has plenty of options. There are numerous outdoor clothing shops, which stock well-known brands like Patagonia, North Face, and Columbia. From trekking attire to ski gear, if you find you’re short of warm clothes, it’s easy to find the right apparel here. There are two supermarkets in town as well to pick up food and other basic supplies.

The Beagle Channel in all its pristine glory / Photo by Daytours4u

PLANNING YOUR ITINERARY IN USHUAIA:

While Ushuaia doesn’t have mind blowing attractions on the level of Perito Moreno glacier in El Calafate and Iguazu Falls in the north, there are still a number of interesting and alluring places of interest.

Things to do in Ushuaia:

Tierra del Fuego National Park: This park is where Route 3 ends, and where the old prisoner train, now called the End of the World Train, runs. Visit on a classic tour, take an adventure tour, or go on your own and hike the trails through the spectacular countryside.

Beagle Channel: The most iconic image of Ushuaia is the Les Eclaireurs lighthouse in the Beagle Channel. A cruise is a must. Take a short Beagle Channel cruise to the lighthouse, a longer one to Martillo Island to walk with penguins, or go all the way to Estancia Harberton. Whichever option you choose, don’t skip a boat trip.

Take a walk with penguins on Martillo Island / Photo by Daytours4u

Lakes: Besides mountains and glaciers, the other dominant feature of the landscape surrounding Ushuaia is the lakes. It’s worth heading north for a day to visit Lake Escondido and Lake Fagnano. This area is also a good place to spot the fascinatingly destructive beaver population. The best way to visit the lakes is with a 4x4 tour, which will take you off the beaten path for unsurpassable panoramic vistas.

Winter activities: If you travel to Ushuaia in winter, don’t miss the snow activities. Ushuaia has become one of the country’s most important ski destinations with Cerro Castor offering great skiing facilities. Other popular winter activities involve sledding with huskies, campfire dinners, snowmobile rides and trekking in the snow.

The mesmerising Martial Glacier in Ushuaia / Image Source

The minimum time to spend in Ushuaia is 2 nights, 3 days. In this time, you can uncover Tierra del Fuego National Park, take a cruise on the Beagle Channel, and explore the town. If you can fit in a longer trip, you can discover much more, heading out to the lakes, hiking up into the mountains and to glaciers, or even taking a flight in a small plane or helicopter over the city.

By: Nicole Eberhard, travel writer and avid explorer, with a Masters in English Literature.