Things to Do in Ushuaia

Ushuaia occupies a narrow coastal strip between the Beagle Channel and the Martial mountain range — the city literally cannot expand much further in any direction. That geographic compression gives it a unique character: compact, walkable, and surrounded by wilderness on three sides. It is the southernmost city in the world by standard definitions, and that fact shapes both the tourism and the local identity.

Tierra del Fuego National Park

The national park begins 11 km west of Ushuaia city centre and covers dense lenga beech forest, river valleys, and the southern shore of Lago Acigami (known by its Chilean name, Lago Roca). The park entry fee is approximately USD 15–18 as of 2026 for international visitors.

Several walking trails are accessible without a guide. The Senda Costera trail follows the shore of the Beagle Channel for around 6 km between Ensenada Bay and Lapataia Bay — one of the more rewarding walks in the park, with Channel views throughout. The Laguna Negra trail is a shorter loop into the forest. Lapataia Bay is the end point of Ruta Nacional 3, the Argentine highway system’s southern terminus — a popular stop for the sign marking the “End of the Road.”

Access: Buses run from Ushuaia’s bus terminal from around 8am, with returns in the afternoon. Cost is approximately USD 10–15 return as of 2026. A taxi or remis (private car) costs around USD 25–35 each way. The End of the World Train (Tren del Fin del Mundo) runs a 7 km narrow-gauge route into the park from a station outside Ushuaia; it is a tourist attraction in itself rather than practical transport and costs approximately USD 30–45 per person.

Beagle Channel Boat Tours

The Beagle Channel separates Argentine Tierra del Fuego from Chilean islands to the south, and boat tours of two to four hours are the standard way to see it. The standard tour visits the sea lion colony on Isla de los Lobos, the bird colonies on Isla de los Pájaros (cormorants, kelp gulls, albatross), and the Les Éclaireurs lighthouse — often incorrectly called the “lighthouse at the end of the world.” The full four-hour version typically includes a catamaran crossing to Estancia Harberton, the oldest estancia in Tierra del Fuego (founded 1886), where an additional entry fee of approximately USD 15 covers the property and penguin colony.

Operators include Rumbo Sur and Piratour, both with offices on the waterfront. Catamaran tours run approximately USD 35–55 per person for the standard 2.5–3 hour version; the full-day Harberton extension costs approximately USD 70–90 per person as of 2026.

Martial Glacier Trek

The Martial Glacier sits at around 1,050 metres directly above Ushuaia and is reachable by an uphill walk from the town centre. The access road leads to a chairlift (when operational — check locally, as it has had intermittent closures), and from the chairlift upper station a marked trail continues to the glacier viewpoint. The round trip on foot from Ushuaia takes approximately three to four hours. The views down over the city and Beagle Channel from the upper section are excellent. No guide required; wear appropriate footwear and carry water.

Cerro Castor — Ski Resort

Cerro Castor is 26 km northeast of Ushuaia and operates as the world’s southernmost ski resort. It has 32 runs across 350 hectares, with a vertical drop of 772 metres. The season typically runs mid-June to early October. Day passes cost approximately USD 50–70 as of 2026; equipment rental adds approximately USD 20–30 per day. Shuttle buses from Ushuaia run daily during the season. Non-skiers can take snowshoe tours or use the facilities at the base lodge.

Museo del Fin del Mundo

The End of the World Museum in Ushuaia’s town centre covers the natural history of Tierra del Fuego, the Yamana indigenous people who inhabited the archipelago before European contact, and the colonial history of the region. Entry is approximately USD 5–8 as of 2026. Allow 60–90 minutes. The building itself — a 1912 former bank — is well-preserved.

Hito Tres Fronteras (Three Borders Point)

A lesser-known stop: the Argentine–Chile border runs through the Beagle Channel, and a short drive west of Ushuaia brings you to Hito XXIV, a border marker on the channel shore. Some boat tours extend to this point. On clear days, the view toward the Chilean islands of the Navarino group is striking.

Practical Notes

• Most activities in Ushuaia can be booked through operators on the waterfront strip (Maipú and Roca streets) or through your accommodation
• January–February is peak summer; June–August is peak ski season — both periods see higher prices and more crowds
• The city is at latitude 54°S and weather changes rapidly; carry a waterproof layer regardless of season
• El Calafate is approximately one hour by plane; many visitors combine both cities in a Patagonia itinerary