Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, is far more than a dot on the map. Located on the island of Tierra del Fuego, between the last foothills of the Andes and the waters of the Beagle Channel, this city of 76,000 residents offers a unique combination of extreme nature, convict history, sub-Antarctic wildlife and the incomparable mystique of being at the "end of the world". This updated 2026 guide covers everything from Tierra del Fuego National Park to the End of the World Train, plus the Beagle Channel cruise and the country's best king crab.
Getting there — distances & times
| From | Distance | Flight | Bus | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires → Bariloche | 1640 km | 2 h 20 | 22 h | 18 h |
| Buenos Aires → El Calafate | 2700 km | 3 h 15 | 40 h | 35 h |
| Buenos Aires → Ushuaia | 3050 km | 3 h 35 | 50+ h | — |
| Bariloche → El Calafate | 1490 km | 1 h 45 | 28 h | 24 h |
| El Calafate → Ushuaia | 600 km | 1 h 15 | 18 h | 14 h |
Month-by-month climate
| Month | Temp. | Rain | Crowds | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8° / 22°C | 40 mm | High season | |
| Feb | 8° / 22°C | 40 mm | ||
| Mar | 6° / 18°C | 50 mm | ||
| Apr | 3° / 14°C | 70 mm | ||
| May | 0° / 10°C | 90 mm | ||
| Jun | -2° / 6°C | 110 mm | Ski season | |
| Jul | -2° / 6°C | 120 mm | ||
| Aug | -1° / 8°C | 90 mm | ||
| Sep | 1° / 12°C | 60 mm | ||
| Oct | 4° / 16°C | 40 mm | ||
| Nov | 6° / 19°C | 40 mm | ||
| Dec | 7° / 21°C | 40 mm |
Ushuaia's history is marked by extreme isolation and its role as a penal colony. The Ushuaia Prison, active from 1902 to 1947, housed Argentina's most dangerous inmates, who built much of the city's infrastructure including the railway tracks now used by the End of the World Train. Today the former prison operates as the Maritime and Prison Museum, one of Argentina's most fascinating museums.
Tierra del Fuego National Park
Tierra del Fuego National Park is Argentina's southernmost national park and one of the few in the world where mountains meet the sea directly. Created in 1960, it protects 68,909 hectares of sub-Antarctic forests, peatlands, marine coasts and unique ecosystems. The Coastal Trail (6.5 km, 3 hours) runs along the Beagle Channel coastline. Lapataia Bay marks the symbolic end of Ruta Nacional 3, the highway that runs 3,063 km from Buenos Aires to this extreme point. Entry: USD 18. Tour with transfer: from USD 40.
Beagle Channel cruise
The Beagle Channel cruise is the other essential Ushuaia experience. The classic 3-4 hour route includes Sea Lion Island (hundreds of sea lions basking on rocks), Bird Island (imperial and Magellanic cormorant colonies) and the iconic Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, erroneously known as "the lighthouse at the end of the world". Extended options include the Martillo Island penguin colony (Magellanic and Gentoo penguins, October-March) and Estancia Harberton (Tierra del Fuego's oldest settlement, 1886). Basic cruise from USD 45, with penguins from USD 80-100.
End of the World Train
The End of the World Train runs the last 7 km of the original railway that convicts built in the early 1900s. The 1 hour 40 minute journey includes a stop at La Macarena Waterfall. Three classes: Tourist (USD 50), First (USD 65), Premium (USD 80). The train + national park combo (from USD 90) is the most popular option.
More activities
- Maritime & Prison Museum: original cells and convict stories. Entry USD 15.
- Cerro Martial: 2-hour hike to Ushuaia's most accessible glacier. Free.
- Laguna Esmeralda: 4-hour round-trip trek to an emerald-green lagoon. Free.
- Skiing at Cerro Castor: world's southernmost ski resort (June-October). Day pass from USD 45.
- King crab (centolla): the local delicacy, served in port restaurants. USD 25-40/plate.
Where to stay
Hostels: USD 20-30. 3-star hotels: USD 80-150. Boutique hotels with Beagle Channel views: from USD 200. Best area: city centre around Avenida San Martin, walkable to the port and restaurants.
