South America
Welcome Kit
Argentina
Ushuaia
In the southern end of the Argentine Republic , on the Great Island of Tierra del Fuego, there lies Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Located on the Beagle Channel, it takes its name –which means “bay that looks west” – from the lyámana language .
Highlights
Within the impressive frame made up by the sea, the forests, the lakes and the mountains, Ushuaia is a picturesque city with an important tourist services infrastructure, an elegant commercial center and an increasing social and cultural activity.
In its surroundings, Ushuaia offers unexplored untouched territories that invite visitors to discovery and adventure. Therefore, the main activities to be done in this privileged nook are related with nature.
Some of them are hiking, horse riding, climbing and diving. Mount Castor Ski Resort is the the option offered by Ushuaia to the lovers of snow during the winter months.
But there is also a site reserved for beholding, such as the cruises and expeditions around islands, glaciers, bays and cliffs: not to be missed. The Tierra del Fuego National Park, with typical animal and vegetable species and important testimonies from the first settlers of the area, protects Lakes Fagnano and Roca, the channel and the southernmost subantartic forests.
Lured by the particular mysticism of its geography and its natural environment, tourists from all round the world visit Ushuaia every year, thus making it one of the most preferred destinations for unique vacations.
General Facts
Ushuaia is the capital and port of Tierra del Fuego, at the southern tip of South America, on the side of th Beagle Channel named after the ship that Charles Darwin used for his expedition to the Galapagos Islands.
Of the five cities in the world recognized as “gateways” to Antarctica, Ushuaia is the closest port, only 1000 kilometers away from the Antarctic Peninsula.
This small town is surrounded on three sides by the snow-capped peaks of Tierra del Fuego. The most spectacular of all mountains is the rugged spectacularity of Mount Olivia.
Map Location
Documentation
A valid Passport.
Most countries in America and Western Europe do not require a visa.
Insurance information.
Best Time to Go
Ushuaia can be visited throughout the year. It is the southernmost city in the world and the climate is a factor that you must take into account. Each season of the year is lived in a unique and special way. The months of July-August and January-February are the highest season. It is best to book your accommodation before you go.
In winter, activities with snow stand out and in summer, hiking trails.
For this reason, Ushuaia can be visited throughout the year but each season has its characteristics.
Depending on the season, temperatures, weather, and the number of hours of sunlight vary.
In summer the sun dawns at 4 AM and sunsets after 10 PM. In winter, on the other hand, there are only 7 hours of light.
The flora and fauna also varies.
Natural landscapes obviously vary according to the season. In autumn (March – June) everything turns red and yellow (such as Tierra del Fuego National Park) and the landscapes are simply idyllic.
Depending on the time of the year, you will be able to enjoy certain activities and excursions and not others. For this reason, in winter (June to September) you will find all the ski centers working since the snow in Ushuaia is one of the best in Latin America. At this time, also, it is possible to go sledding, snowshoeing, and night-time explorations.
Both spring (September – December) and summer (December-March) are ideal times for outdoor activities, especially considering that the days are long and the weather is very pleasant. Being the options navigations, long walks or excursions in the National Park Tierra del Fuego, the nature of Ushuaia will fascinate you.
Clothing
It is advisable to put together a varied wardrobe to visit the island, since in the same day you can experience various degrees of thermal amplitude and different weather conditions.
This is a list of what not to forget:
Layered clothing. Also known as “onion type clothing.” We already said that temperatures are variable. You also have to consider the changes in temperature during the day. In the early morning it is always colder, then the temperature rises at noon and drops again when the sun goes down. We will probably be outside for several hours, making as many activities as possible.
Socks. Thermal socks are a great option. We recommend having several pairs and always carrying an extra pair on excursions. It is in case our shoes get wet. There is nothing worse than wet feet in winter!
Footwear. This point is key and cannot be missed. Good footwear that keeps you warm, that is comfortable and most importantly, that is 100% waterproof. Having your feet safe will make all activity pleasant, otherwise you won’t be able to enjoy. We recommend shoes with rubber soles, preferably boots with good grip for walks.
Accessories. As well as the feet, it is important to keep hands, head and ears safe. The best companions are a good pair of leather or thermal gloves, scarves, and hats as well.
The latter can be made of wool, although they are also in their thermal version, which are the most recommended to have on hand. You may not use it but they will not be too much in your suitcase.
Healthcare
Packing
Argentinean flights allow, as their restrictions are limited to 33 pounds (15 kg) per person.
Currency
Peso Argentino.
Major credit cards are widely accepted.
Electricity
Argentina: 220 V – 60 Hz.
Plugs Type C / I
Local Taxes
Foodie
Fuegian flavors invite another type of experience. From the forest to the sea, in any season, a sensorial journey to the farthest ends of the planet. Signature cuisine with local products stands out in Ushuaia, where you can taste dishes that are distinguished by varieties of mushrooms, peppers, herbs and collected fruits that are presented along with flowers and lenga woods, typical of the province.
Typical meals and recommended dishes:
Patagonian Lamb
It is the star dish and has gained fame among tourists and locals. There are different ways to try it, depending on the cooking and preparation. It is a super lean, tender meat with a very particular taste that, as we mentioned, varies depending on how it is cooked. You can try Patagonian lamb baked in clay, grilled, in empanadas or in a stew, for example. The main characteristic of this type of meat is the texture. They are animals raised in open spaces with natural pastures and that is very noticeable in the flavor.
King crab
It is a classic from the End of the World. You can try natural king crab, in sauces or casserole. The Beagle Channel is said to produce some of the best spider crabs in the world. Enjoying a tasty dish with incredible views is worth it.
Fruits of the forest
If you like sweet fruits, this is heaven. Naturally, in jams, in cakes or with chocolate … there are a thousand ways to try them. Be careful, it is impossible to stop. Don’t forget to try El Calafate (it’s a berry variety). They say you go back to the city where you tried it.
Seafood
Patagonia has many kilometers on the coast. Fish and shellfish are part of the gastronomy. Rice, pasta, sautéed … Try the seafood as you like.
Patagonian toothfish
The Black Hake is listed as an exclusive food from the End of the World. The coasts of Ushuaia meet the best conditions for fishing (more than 1000 meters deep) for the coveted Black Hake.
Foodie Advice >>
Get suggestions from foodies around South America. Click to read more!
Activities
Sail in the Beagle Channel
The Beagle Channel is a geographical feature of the southern tip of America. Its name comes from the brig HMS Beagle in charge of Robert Fitz Roy who arrived at the place in 1830. The discoverer of the channel was lieutenant M. Murray of the same ship.
It extends for 280 km, with a general east-west direction, connecting the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, from the end of the so-called Southwest Arm, which forms the Rafagales Bay, to its eastern mouth, at a point located NE of Isla Nueva.
The central and western part of the Beagle Channel belongs entirely to Chile and is part of the XII Region of Magallanes and the Chilean Antarctic. The limit goes almost through the center of the canal and allows navigation on both sides of the border.
Among the bays that open into the channel, it is worth mentioning the one of Ushuaia, on whose coasts the homonymous city sits, Antarctica and the South Atlantic Islands.
Puerto Williams, on Navarino Island, is the capital of both the Cape Horn and Antarctic Communes Group and the Chilean Antarctic Province.
Ski in the southernmost ski resort in the World, Cerro Castor
Cerro Castor is a mountain located 26 kilometers from the city of Ushuaia.
The hill is home to the southernmost ski center in the world inaugurated in 1999, with nineteen tracks and circuits that can be used for several months due to the cold climate of the region. The usual season normally takes place between June and October, due to its geographical location, the longest of the ski centers in Argentina.
In addition to the classic alpine skiing, other activities such as snowboarding, snowblading, cross-country skiing, sledding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing can be done on the hill.
Take some instagramble shots of the Les Éclaireurs lighthouse
Les Éclaireurs (“The Illuminators”, in French) is a lighthouse located on the NE islet of the Les Éclaireurs group of islets in the Beagle Channel, in front of the coast of Ushuaia’s Bay, in Argentina.
The lighthouse consists of a slightly conical brick tower, 11 meters high and 3 meters in diameter, painted in three stripes: red, white and red. The flashlight is 22.5 meters above sea level and emits white and red light at 5 second intervals. It has an optical range of 7.2 nautical miles and is powered by solar panels.
The set of islets that give the lighthouse its name were baptized by the Frigate Captain Luis Fernando Martial, in command of the French La Romanche expedition in the years 1882-1883. The lighthouse was put into service on December 23, 1920 and today it is still in operation, automatically, remotely controlled and closed to the public.
Visit the End of the World Train
The Ferrocarril Austral Fueguino (FCAF) or Tren del Fin del Mundo is a narrow gauge railway line which uses steam locomotives.
Its predecessor, the prisoners’ train, began to operate in 1909 until 1952, but later, a visionary company called Tranex Turismo SA decides to revive the legend by creating the famous End of the World Train, which runs the last 8 kilometers of the original route (formerly it was 25 km). The End of the World Train gauge is 50cm, 10cm less than the original. Originally, it served as a cargo line for the National Prison of Ushuaia, specifically to transport firewood. It is currently operated as a tourist railway in the Tierra del Fuego National Park and is the southernmost working railway in the world.
Visit the Jail at the end of the world
Entering the pavilion that is still preserved as in 1902 freezes the blood. It is impossible not to feel fear, that the body is moved by the isolation, the cold and the darkness of the corridor where the cells, measuring one and a half meters by two, follow one another between rock walls. For the inmates of the prison, the end of the world represented the beginning of their life sentence, the rest of their life.
Mateo “The mystic” Banks passed through there, convicted of murdering his three brothers, his sister-in-law, two nieces and two laborers from his ranches; the young anarchist Simón Radowitsky, imprisoned for the bomb attack that killed Police Chief Ramón Falcón; and the most famous of all, Cayetano Santos Godino, “El petiso orejudo”, serial murderer of children, who died in Ushuaia, after receiving a beating from other prisoners for killing the prison cat, a pet loved by all