Ushuaia, located at the southern tip of Argentina, is quite remote—in fact, it’s known as the southernmost city on the entire planet! And while Ushuaia may not exactly be the easiest place to get to, the city still has plenty to offer visitors, from epic hiking and killer beers to spotting some adorable penguins. So if visiting this unique corner of the planet is on your bucket list, here’s 10 incredible things to do in Ushuaia, Argentina, the End of the World.
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How to get to Ushuaia
As mentioned above, Ushuaia is located on the southern tip of Argentina and isn’t close to, well, pretty much anything!
Luckily, there’s a few ways to get here.
By plane
The most popular way to get to Ushuaia is by flying into Malvinas Argentinas International Airport with direct flights from Buenos Aires and, depending on the time of year, a handful of other cities around Argentina, like El Calafate or Cordoba. The airport itself is about 6 kilometers south of downtown Ushuaia.
Many travelers, including us, originally come to Ushuaia as the gateway for a cruise to Antarctica or other sub-Antarctic islands, like South Georgia.
Many cruise operators will have travelers meet in Buenos Aires, arrange a charter flight to Ushuaia, and handle your transfer to the cruise ship.
If you’re responsible for getting yourself to Ushuaia for your cruise or aren’t heading out on an Antarctic cruise at all, you can either get an Uber or taxi from the airport to downtown Ushuaia, which should cost between $5-10 USD (be aware that most taxi drivers will only accept Argentine pesos). Alternatively, there’s several affordable shuttle options that you can choose from, like this shared option or this option.
By bus
If Ushuaia is just one stop on your larger Patagonia itinerary, it may make more sense—and be significantly more economical—to take a bus to Ushuaia.
Here’s some of the most popular cities that people leave from to reach Ushuaia:
- Punta Arenas, Chile to Ushuaia (10 hours—my husband, Justin, and I went to Punta Arenas after Ushuaia on the bus and the drive was so beautiful! Plus, we got to ride a ferry across the Strait of Magellan!).
- El Calafate, Argentina to Ushuaia (17 and a half hours)
There’s a handful of other cities that you can take buses from, like Buenos Aires, but it may take considerably less time and be way cheaper to just fly to Ushuaia.
Things to do in Ushuaia
1. Explore Tierra del Fuego National Park
The main attraction in Ushuaia is Tierra del Fuego National Park, which is the only national park in Argentina that combines coastal, forest, and mountain ecosystems.
Sprawling over 22,000 square kilometers, Tierra del Fuego is home to many of the epic landscapes that Patagonia is known and loved for—complete with jagged mountains, ancient glaciers, and thousands of wild horses(!!!).
Given the national park’s enormous size, you could spend a lifetime exploring this spectacular corner of the planet. That being said, if you don’t happen to have an entire lifetime to explore it and have rented a car in Ushuaia, here’s some of the highlights of Tierra del Fuego that I’d recommend hitting:
- Seeing the end of the Pan-American Highway, which is the longest highway on Earth at over 30,000 kilometers
- Sending a postcard, complete with penguin stamps, from the “End of the World Post Office” (pssst… the opening hours here are extremely erratic, so I wouldn’t get your hopes up too much for this one)
- Hiking the Senda Costera trail, which is the most popular hike in the park, offering views of snow-capped mountains and rugged coastline. Alternatively, if you’re up for something a bit more challenging, try your hand at the Cerro Guanaco trail, which steeply climbs up to its namesake summit and provides jaw-dropping views over the Beagle Channel.
If you don’t have a rental car in Ushuaia, there’s several tours that will shuttle you around to the best highlights in the park, including this small group option and this more adventurous option that focuses on trekking and kayaking. Alternatively, there’s also buses that depart from the bus terminal that make stops at most of the popular sites in the park, starting around 9 AM and departing every hour or so throughout the afternoon.
2. Take the End of the World Train
This steam-powered train actually departs from Tierra del Fuego National Park, but, given its quirkiness, it’s kind of its own activity in and of itself.
Why is there a train at the End of the World, you might ask?
Well, Ushuaia was actually used as a penal colony from 1884 to 1947 and the prisoners were actually responsible for building their prison. This included sourcing rock, sand, and lumber for the construction from the surrounding forests to Ushuaia, using wagons pulled by ox and eventually, this railway that’s still in use today.
Luckily, the train has a bit more of a cheery purpose, taking visitors for approximately an hour through the Pico Valley in Tierra del Fuego, one of the most stunning areas of the park with waterfalls, mountains, and glaciers along the way. As you ride along, there’s an audio guide available in seven languages that provides a history of Ushuaia and the prisoners’ role in forming this community.
The scenery along the train and the educational commentary alone are worth taking the train, but, like many attractions in Ushuaia, it also holds the impressive title of being the southernmost functioning railway in the world!
You can either get to the train on your own by reserving your tickets on this site ahead of time and getting an Uber or taxi to the station (cell service can range from spotty to non-existent in Tierra del Fuego, so I’d recommend arranging a driver to pick you up from the station once your journey is complete at a certain time). Alternatively, there’s several tours that include train tickets and exploring other parts of Tierra del Fuego, like this option or this option.
3. Hike to Laguna de los Tempanos and the Vinciguerra Glacier trail
Justin and I actually stayed and explored Ushuaia for a week and my favorite thing we did during our time here was the Laguna de los Tempanos hike.
Along this challenging hike, you’ll walk through a meadow of colorful wildflowers, climb your way through a dense forest, and stand at the base of a turquoise lake, with the stunning Vinciguerra Glacier and jagged mountains as its backdrop. The landscape at the endpoint is absolutely otherworldly—after traveling all over this special corner of the planet for two months, I can definitely confirm it’s one of the best hikes in Patagonia!
You can hike this 7.2 mile trail on your own, by taking a taxi or an Uber to the trailhead.
Alternatively, if you want to climb on the glacier itself, I’d recommend going on a tour with a knowledgeable guide, like this option or this small group option. Due to climate change, the Vinciguerra Glacier unfortunately has LOTS of crevasses and might be dangerous without the appropriate safety know-how.
4. Brewery hop
One of my favorite things to do in new cities is to check out local breweries. Most of them have chill, laidback vibes, making it the perfect activity for a rainy day or if you’re just not in the mood to go for an epic adventure. Plus, they often use unique or local ingredients in the beer—it’s basically a cultural experience!
As far as I can tell, the only craft brewery in Ushuaia is Patagonia Brewing (which actually doesn’t even brew the beer onsite). However, what they may lack in onsite brewing, they more than make up for in having an awesome space. Grab a beer and a table on the second floor—it has stellar views of Ushuaia’s port, where you can watch the cruise ships dock and undock against the stunning backdrop of the Andes Mountains.
Beyond Patagonia Brewing, there’s several other brewpubs where you can try Ushuaian breweries that don’t have their own taproom, like Cervecería Grut ’84, which has a super warm and welcoming local vibe, or Krund Ushuaia, which has TONS of beer from some small local breweries.
5. Spotting penguins at Martillo Island
Outside of visiting Tierra del Fuego and its attractions, the best activity in Ushuaia, in my opinion, is penguin spotting at Martillo Island (also known as “Penguin Island”), located about 90 km to the east. From November through April, over one hundred thousand gentoo and Magellanic penguins can be found on Martillo Island, to breed and raise their chicks.
The only way to see these adorable birds is to join a tour, where you’ll sail to Martillo Island and, with any luck, see other marine life beyond penguins, like seals or even whales.
If you have flexibility in your budget, make sure to book a tour where you’ll actually dock, get off the island, and walk amongst the penguins, like this option or this option.
These tours are DEFINITELY on the pricier side, though, so if you’re looking for something a bit more affordable, there’s also options where you closely sail past Martillo Island, like this tour or this option.
If you visit Ushuaia outside of this timeframe, I’d be wary of booking a tour if you’re hoping to see penguins. A handful of shadier operators offer these tours year round and, while you might see other seabirds and marine life, you’d be SUPER lucky to see any penguins on Martillo Island.
6. Hike to Laguna Esmeralda
Laguna Esmeralda is the most popular hike in Ushuaia—and for good reason! It’s a fairly short hike, with minimal ascent, making this an excellent option in Ushuaia for most hikers in decent shape.
Along the 5.4 mile hike, you’ll pass glacial rivers, traverse peat bogs and a lenga forest, and eventually arrive at the shores of a milky alpine lake with jagged mountains and the Ojo del Albino Glacier as its backdrop.
There’s several ways to get to Laguna Esmeralda. The most affordable is to grab a shuttle from across the street from Ushuaia’s bus station (this usually costs between 500-600 ARS per person). Alternatively, you can grab a taxi or an Uber (which should cost around 30,000 ARS) or join a guided tour, like this option or this option.
7. Go on a Beagle Channel cruise
Even if you don’t visit Ushuaia during penguin season or you can’t quite afford to walk amongst them on Martillo Island, it’s still worth going on a Beagle Channel cruise! The Beagle Channel is a pretty important geological landmark—it actually separates Argentina from Chile and was important in early navigation to provide passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
The channel is lined with stunning snow-capped mountains and is dotted with rugged islands. Along the way, you can see tons of birds, like condors and cormorants, and marine life, like sea lions, dolphins, and whales. Plus, beyond just pointing out the flora and fauna, your guides will share interesting information about the Beagle Channel and its history, including the fascinating Yámana people who once called this land home. We’ve been on many scenic and wildlife cruises and sailing along the Beagle Channel is definitely one of my favorites on the entire planet!
Most of the cruises are a teeny bit on the more adventurous side, where, in addition to sailing along the channel, you actually get to disembark to do some trekking on the islands, like this option or this option.
8. Get a photo with the End of the World sign
This one is just a quick stop but did you really visit Ushuaia if you didn’t get a photo with the “Fin del Mundo” sign? It’s located here in Ushuaia’s port, with a backdrop of cruise ships, the Beagle Channel, and towering mountains in the background.
When we were here, there were a lot of people waiting to get their photos who were pretty impatient and borderline savage. Friendly reminder to be courteous to others and wait your turn—we all came a long way to visit the End of the World!
9. Explore the town of Ushuaia
Like any good touristy town, Ushuaia’s got a bevy of restaurants, cafes, and shops to peruse. Some of our favorite stops:
- Ramos Generales El Almacén: Dating all the way back to 1906, this eclectic stop is a general store/bakery/restaurant/museum, with lots of quirky artifacts from Ushuaia’s history and is our favorite place to get coffee in Ushuaia
- Monumento Antiguos Pobladores de Ushuaia: Unique white stone statue of a massive albatross protecting the Indigenous people and the first European settlers of Ushuaia, created by a local artist
- Kalmo Resto: The best fine dining spot in town with creative takes on traditional Patagonian cuisine
- Tierra de Humos: A souvenir shop with the perfect mix of touristy tees with locally crafted home goods and artwork
10. Hike to the Martial Glacier
This is my least favorite of the popular hikes in Ushuaia, but if you can’t get enough of trekking here, consider hiking to the Martial Glacier.
This hike is on the shorter side, at just 4 miles roundtrip, but pretty steep, with 1,700 feet of elevation gain along the way. Still, I’d say it’s on the more moderate side and should be doable for most hikers in decent shape.
At its summit, you’ll get to see the Martial Glacier spread across the peaks of Cerro Martial. The glacier has receded pretty dramatically in recent years, so, in my opinion, the view of the glacier isn’t particularly spectacular. However, you do get killer views of the town of Ushuaia and, beyond, the glittering water of the Beagle Channel.
Be aware that you need to pay a 10,000 ARS entrance fee to hike the trail. To get to the trailhead, you can either take a bus; taxi or Uber; or join a tour group, like this option or this option, if you’d care to learn more about the history of Ushuaia and its flora and fauna along the way.
How to get around Ushuaia
Luckily, Ushuaia is pretty easy to get around.
The downtown area is pretty small, with everything from hotels and restaurants to grocery stores and tour agencies all within walking distance.
For things that are further away, there’s pretty affordable shuttles to many of the most popular destinations, like Tierra del Fuego or Laguna and Esmaralda. And for sites that you can’t readily reach by shuttle, like Laguna de los Tempanos or the Martial Glacier trailheads, it’s easy enough to grab an Uber or taxi or join up with a tour to wherever you’re going. Justin and I stayed in Ushuaia for a week and only needed to use an Uber a handful of times.
Listen, I love the freedom and flexibility that having a rental car offers, but I’d really only recommend renting one if you’re traveling with a larger group and plan on doing lots of hiking or other day trips around Ushuaia. Otherwise, it’s easy and relatively affordable to get around without a car of your own!
When to Visit Ushuaia
The best time to visit Ushuaia is from December through March, when the temperature is pleasantly cool, there’s plenty of daylight for activities, and the skies are clear.
In the winter months (especially June through August), Ushuaia can regularly have below freezing temperatures, intense winds, lots of snow, and limited daylight (as little as 8 hours a day!). Accordingly, I generally wouldn’t recommend visiting during this timeframe if you’re primarily interested in hiking or wildlife spotting. However, there are some fun winter sports that you can get up to during this timeframe, like skiing at Cerro Castor, snowshoeing, or Nordic skiing.
Where to stay in Ushuaia
As mentioned above, there’s tons of hotels to choose from in Ushuaia!
Here’s a few to consider:
Los Cauquenes Resort + Spa + Experiences
This resort is arguably the bougiest option in Ushuaia, with its own private beach, jaw-dropping views of the Beagle Channel, and a swimming pool and hot tub. There’s also some really nice perks that make this property standout, like afternoon tea, an onsite restaurant, and a spa that offers massages and other beauty treatments. The only downside that I’d flag is that it’s about two miles from downtown Ushuaia—so if you plan on doing lots of moseying around and you don’t have a rental car, this might not be the best option.
Hotel Canal Beagle
If it’s proximity to downtown you’re looking for, this property fits the bill, located just a few steps from Ushuaia’s harbor. This hotel has a lot to offer—clean and spacious rooms; complimentary breakfast; and an indoor pool, hot tub and sauna.
Los Calafates Hotel
This small, locally-owned hotel has an excellent location—tucked a few streets back from the main drag of Ushuaia, but is still just a few steps from all of the action. The property itself feels bright and airy; the staff are warm; and the complimentary breakfast is seriously one of the best in Argentina!
I hope you love Ushuaia as much as we did—it’s one of our favorite places in Argentina! Do you have any questions about visiting Ushuaia? Let us know in the comments below!
