4 tips for visiting Ushuaia

Book accommodation and excursions in advance

Ushuaia is one of the most popular places in Patagonia and was one of the most visited destinations with the Pre-Trip programme. So that you don't miss out on the excursions, we recommend that you book in advance.

If you like centrally located accommodations, keep in mind that they can be noisy. Another thing to keep in mind is that some of the streets perpendicular to the coast are quite steep. Even if your accommodation is 4 blocks away from the main street, this can be an inconvenience if you have any walking limitations.

There are several accommodations away from the centre in neighbourhoods surrounded by forest, in the higher areas of the city for a panoramic view or near the coast of the Beagle Channel. If you are not going to have your own mobility don't forget to ask if they have a shuttle with regular schedules from the hotel-centre-hotel.

What clothes to put in the suitcase?

We always say that the weather in Ushuaia is very changeable, it can be sunny, rainy, windy all in the same day. In addition, the indoor places are usually quite hot, so we always recommend dressing in layers to regulate your body temperature.

For walking in the city or on any regular excursion, a sweater, jacket, comfortable shoes, hat and scarf will be fine.

But if you are going to be hiking or spending a lot of time outdoors, we recommend wearing a thermal T-shirt as a first layer, fleece, thermal drying trousers, high boots (meaning that they hold your ankle well), a warm jacket and a mackintosh.

Although it rains almost every day, it doesn't rain that much, and it's usually windy, so we Patagonians don't use umbrellas. A good coat with a hood is enough.

Essential places to visit on your trip to Tierra del Fuego.

The Tierra del Fuego National Park, Located 8 km from the centre of Ushuaia, it is the main protected area in the area. It has 4 sites to walk around, several trails of different difficulties and viewpoints.

To enjoy the Beagle Channel There are daily departures in the morning or in the afternoon to discover the local marine fauna. You can also visit the famous Les Eclaireurs lighthouse. You can also enjoy the panoramic view of the city from the water.

In the lake area Escondido and Fagnano various excursions are possible. Along the route there are several well-marked trails that lead to lakes, mountain peaks or glaciers. Also along the valley of Tierra Mayor there are several winter resorts that offer snowmobiling, dog sledding and skiing activities in winter. But during the rest of the year you can have lunch at one of them. When you get to Paso Garibaldi, which is a mountain pass, you can see Lago Escondido and Lago Fagnano (Khami) from the viewpoint, and you can continue north to reach the shores of both.

The towns near Ushuaia are: Tolhuin, The town, 100 km to the north, is a village of about 9,000 inhabitants on the eastern shore of Lake Fagnano (Khami), located in the centre of Tierra del Fuego and halfway between Ushuaia and Río Grande. Its main economic activity is forestry. The main attraction is to visit the largest lake in Tierra del Fuego, which was formed when the glaciers retreated from the area thousands of years ago.

Another place is Port Almanza is a fishing village also located on the coast of the Beagle Channel about 70 km from Ushuaia. Visitors are attracted to go and try the spider crab, a crustacean caught in the depths of the Beagle Channel.

Fuegian Gastronomy

In Ushuaia there is a wide gastronomic offer, from places with "minutas", pizzas, pastas, grills or seafood restaurants, all adapted to the regional resources.

The Fuegian lamb is one of the most popular dishes among Argentinians. The lamb comes from the cattle ranches in the northern part of Tierra del Fuego. It is usually grilled, but if not, there are also other types of cooking.

You can also taste the trout, The local fish, such as those usually caught in the rivers and lakes of northern and central Tierra del Fuego. Another local fish option is the snook it.

Ushuaia is a city that faces the Channel and that is why it has a lot of sea culture. Here the star dish, as we mentioned before, is the crab only the legs of this animal are eaten. It has a mild taste for those who do not usually eat seafood but do not want to leave without tasting it. Its flesh is white and pink and is usually easily crumbled. It can be ordered fresh, au gratin, in casseroles, in stuffed pasta or in pies.

You can also be encouraged to try sea urchins, mussels and other local shellfish. Another luxury dish is Patagonian toothfish, which is completely different from the other, and is caught in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean.

On the other hand, the best-known sweet of the place is the calafate. It is a shrub of the berberis family that grows almost everywhere on the island. Its fruits are purple and its taste is somewhat acidic. You can try calafate ice cream, cakes, jams or liqueurs.

There is also a large production of craft breweries in the region, which can be sampled in the city's bars.

If you have already come to visit the End of the World, what other advice would you give to those who are coming for the first time?

Also if you are looking for advice on excursions, write to us and we will be happy to help you plan your next holiday.