We made it to Ushuaia, the end of the world!
Ushuaia is a hub of activity brimming with tourists. Being the southernmost city in the world it attracts visitors from all over. Not only is it a gateway for Antarctic cruises it also boasts an array of scenic hikes as well as many boat tours to watch local wildlife and sea-life. Don’t forget whilst you’re there to take a photo with the ‘Fin Del Mundo’ sign found in the port area near the tourist centre. Take a look at what is available to see and do in this special city, along with a few budget friendly tips.
Hikes
Ushuaia is known for its many hikes and the Tierra Del Fuego national park. It costs around US$30pp ($30,000 Argentine pesos) to enter the national park and even more to stay. Alternatively you can drive up Martial mountain and hike to Martial Glacier with a fee of just US$10pp to enter. It can get very windy up there and hikes may be closed so be careful.
There are however many free hikes in the area. We hiked to Laguna Esmerelda a very muddy 4-5 hour hike, but very much worth it! The trail head is around 20 minutes drive from the centre of the city. Hotels may offer a shuttle service, otherwise there are taxis readily available.
Cerro Alarken is a shorter hike around 1 hour 30 mins at the top of the mountain. To reach the trail head you first need to pass through Arakur Ushuaia resort and Spa Hotel. It is a strange and interesting start to a hike but well worth a glimpse at this beautiful hotel. There are wonderful views of the city and Beagle Channel on this diverse hike through the woods.
Budget friendly tip: head over to Ushuaia’s tourist information centre for further info of free hikes in the area
Food and drink
If you are a fan of sea food, Ushuaia is known for it’s South Atlantic King crab (Centolla). Though it is seasonal, it’s a delicacy in the area and a must try but bare in mind it can also be very expensive, some up to $200,000 Argentinian pesos. Most restaurants will serve king crab and many of them have them on display. Don’t worry if you are not a fan of seafood, Argentina is also known for its grills. So you can still have something traditional even if crab is not your thing. One thing to note about the Argentine grill is that it is common for them to cook the meat through, so if you like yours more on the pink side, do tell them – ask for it “jugoso” (juicy).
We went to Volver restaurant, which we highly recommend, the crab was delicious and they also offer a variety of free range meat. It is one of the more affordable restaurants but still has a stylish feel to it, with its chic nautical decor.
There are many breweries in Ushuaia, Patagonia brewery is very popular but it is a chain across Argentine Patagonia. Look out for the smaller micro-breweries such as Krund – where Will tried a smoked beer, and Santos – which has a bit of a pub vibe to it.
Budget friendly tip: most restaurants will have a ‘Centolla Natural’ (king crab) option which is a great deal cheaper, ranging from $40-50.
Animals
Being on the Beagle Channel there are so many opportunities to see whales, dolphins, penguins and sea lions. Ushuaia offers many boat tours to Martillo Island, also known as penguin island, boat tours out onto the water for whale watching up close and even tours to Sea Lion Island. Be aware however, these tours do come with a substantial price tag. Though I don’t doubt it would be worth every penny.
If you know your birds you may even spot a few albatross birds flying around the channel. As well as many other sea birds such as Southern Giant-Petrels, Southern Fulmars, and South American Terns.
Budget friendly tip: whales can be spotted across the Beagle Channel. Just outside the the city there is a hike along the clifftops to Estancia Tunel, where people have frequently spotted whales.
If you have access to a vehicle you could head over to Reserva Natural Penguino Rey in Chile, for close sightings of King Penguins at an affordable price, see here for more info.
How to get there
Ushuaia has an international airport with frequent flights to and from Buenos Aires, El Calafate, Cordoba and Trewlew.
Route 3 (RN3 2948) is the only road in and out of Ushuaia, it is scenic route taking you through the mountains with views of Lago Fagnano.
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