Ushuaia
Why visit Ushuaia?
To get to the end of the world!
Ushuaia is the capital of Tierra del Fuego, and the southernmost city in the world. It faces the Beagle Channel and is surrounded by the Martial Glacier mountain range. The city was founded in 1884, but the region had been inhabited by indigenous people for thousands of years.
Most visitors today use the city as a base for exploring the area which includes Tierra del Fuego National Park. It is also a gateway to Patagonia and the starting and end point for cruises in Patagonia and down to Antarctica. The town itself has the usual collection of handicraft shops, restaurants and cafes, plus a busy waterfront area. Reasons to visit Ushuaia include:
- Visit the Museum of the End of the World to find out about the Selk’nam and Yamana peoples and cultures
- Cruise around the bays and islands of the Beagle Channel, watching sea lions, cormorants and penguins
- Go hiking in Tierra del Fuego National Park, travelling from the city on the Tren del Fin del Mundo through forest and past lagoons
- Enjoy panoramic views of beautiful Lapataia Bay, a haven for marine birds
- Opportunities for kayaking on lakes
- Take a guided tour of Estancia Haberton the oldest ranch in the area, still run by descendants of the original family
- Tour the Maritime Museum housed in the former prison on the eastern edge of the city
- See reconstructions of original European explorers and settlers at the Galeria Tematica Historica Fueguina
When to visit Ushuaia
Ushuaia can be visited year round but most people prefer to go from October to April. These months are warmer than the winter, and it rains rather than snows. This makes the conditions for hiking and cruising easier. The Patagonia cruise season lasts from September to April, while Antarctic cruises have a shorter season, November to March. Wildlife in Tierra del Fuego including sea lions, whales, penguins and seabirds tends to be more active in summer. The ski season lasts from mid-June to mid-September.
Accommodation in Ushuaia
You can find all kinds of accommodation in Ushuaia, from cheap and cheerful hostels to smart hotels such as Hotel Los Cauquenes in a prime position overlooking the Beagle Channel, and everything in between.
Read More
Ushuaia accommodation
customer rating
/5 from reviews
our travel expert
TALK TO PAUL
Start planning your tailor-made holiday to Argentina. Tell us what you want, and we will tailor make your perfect trip.
Call: 01473 890499
PLAN MY TRIP
facts and information
Time: GMT – 3 hours
Flight time:
Flight time approximately 14 hours from London to Buenos Aires on a direct flight, and around 16 hours via Europe.
Language: Spanish is the official language, with English, French and Italian also widely spoken
Visas:
Visas – not required for British nationals for stays of up to 90 days
Health:
No vaccinations are compulsory but due to a yellow fever outbreak in Brazil in 2017 country certificate requirements may change at short notice
