On the footsteps of Bruce Chatwin, whose book “In Patagonia” has continuously inspired us, we finally made it to the End of the World. Strolling around the backstreets of La Habana felt like yesterday yet today, we’re in the southernmost city of the continent. What a long way we came!
Nowadays, the city of Ushuaia is undeniably different from what Chatwin wrote about. The bustling center full of high-end tourist shops, ridiculously expensive accomodation and penguin-watching cruises is something far from the past. If you like us were expecting to feel the real Patagonia here get ready to be slightly disappointed!
Things to do in Ushuaia
Museums & More
- Museo Maritimo y del ex Presidio – Located inside what used to be the old prison in Ushuaia, it holds four smaller museums about prison conditions, naval models, antarctic samples and maritime art. Monday to Friday from 10am to 8pm & 600ARG.
- Museo Fin del Mundo & Antigua Casa de Govierno – The city’s museum in the oldest building in town. Could you wish for any better match? This museum is the place where to learn about the history of the city, check out the audiovisual labs or even sit down to read a book in the library. Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm, Saturday and holidays from 1pm to 5pm & 200ARG.
- Galeria Tematica Pequeña Historia Fueguina – A touristy yet very explicative themed museum about the history of Tierra del Fuego mostly during the time of the indigenous populations. Tuesday to Sunday from 12pm to 8pm & 390ARG.
- Ice Bar – Literally a whole bar made of real ice, even cocktails are served in ice glasses! Daily from 4pm to 10pm & 350ARG.
- Feria de Artesanos – Lovely small artisan hallway located just nearby from the tourist office of Ushuaia. Entrance is free but be careful, you’ll surely bring something home on the way out!
City Tour
- Conventional City Tour – Many tour agencies offer guided walking tour around the city covering the most important sights and museums. Duration of 1h30min & 850ARG.
- Double Decker City Tour – Like a conventional city tour but just on a double decker bus with better views! Daily at 10.30am, 3.30pm or 5.30pm. Duration 1h & 350ARG.
- Ushuaia City Train – Like a conventional city tour but just on a small city train! Daily at 10am, 3.30pm and 5.30pm. Duration 1h30min & 350ARG.
Landscapes in Tierra del Fuego National Park
Things to do around Ushuaia
Hiking
- Tierra del Fuego National Park – Trekking around the end of the world is definitely something amazing. The park is a huge reserve featuring plenty of trails, from short 1h to long 7h ones, for all difficulties but mostly can be covered over a couple of days. Inside the park you can find a visitor center, several free camping grounds and plenty of nature. Always open & 490ARG. You can also take a small touristy train in (9.30am, 12pm, 3pm) for 1200ARG.
Goose symbol of the National Park
- Glaciar Martial (summer only) – Nice hiking trail that leads you from the base of the Glaciar up to the glaciar itself where you can also walk on ice. (more about hike) During winter the place turns into a skiing-complex.
- Laguna Esmeralda – This easy trek is a great and cheap way to explore some of Ushuaia’s amazing landscapes. After a 4.5km walk (1h40min each way) on a pretty flat trail you’ll reach a beautiful green lagoon surrounded by snowy peaks. Entrance is free.
Beagle Canal cruises
*All cruises can be booked straight from the tour companies offices located next to info point of Ushuaia. If you pay cash most companied will give you a 10% discount on the full price.*
- Short Cruises – This usually are cruises which involve visiting bird island, sea lion island and hiking on the Bridges or H islands. The majority of the tours also include passing next to the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. Tours usually take around 3-4h and price ranges between 1400-2000ARG, depending on on-board food and boat type.
- Long Cruise – This tours partially cover the route of short cruises but instead of hiking/visiting islands, you get to see the penguin-nest island in front of Estancia Haberton. It is also possible to walk on the island but tour is a lot more expensive as its only offered by Piratour company. Price ranges between 2400-3500ARG, with walk among penguins 4800-6000ARG.
Officially at the end of the world!
Where to sleep
During high season, prices are pumped up to the limit that overnighting in a 8-people dorm can end up costing you at leat 20$/pp. Private rooms are also pretty expensive and start at 30$/pp for a double room and increasing exponentially for bigger rooms.
A good way to save a few pennies on accomodation is to book cabañas or self-catering apartments in groups of 4 or more. That way you can also end up spending around 15$/pp but at least you have your own place! If you plan on staying at some cabañas we really suggest the Aparthotel Los Pinos; the place is located at a 15-min walk from the city center but the owners are great and the apartments are relatively cheap.
Eating Out
Once again, eating our during high season can be pretty expensive in Ushuaia. Expect mains to cost at least 10-15$ in an average restaurants and more in fancier ones. The most convenient way to eat in town is to cook food yourself by buying at local supermarkets.
If you really don’t want to or can’t cook, along the pedestrian Avenida San Martin you can find plenty of options in terms of restaurants, fast-foods, bars and pubs.
Is it worth to Ushuaia?
During our trip to the World’s End we met plenty of travellers debating whether going all the way down to Ushuaia was worth the extra time & money. The choice is not easy. Over the years, Ushuaia has become a symbol Patagonia, the southermost city of the continent neighbour of Antartica.
We didn’t like Ushuaia as much as we would’ve liked to: the feeling of it being a tourist trap was real. Especially during high season, the town attracts so many tourists from all over the world that “enjoying” the city becomes a difficult feat. That said, exploring Ushuaia’s breathtaking attractions (e.g. Tierra del Fuego National Park, Beagle channel etc..) at times of little tourism is something to be experienced.
In conclusion, the world’s end – was for us – one of those place that we’re happy we visited once but wouldn’t go back again. Straight & simple!
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