3 Days in Ushuaia | The Best 12 Things to Do
This is your ultimate guide for spending 3 days in Ushuaia, the most southern city in the world: Where to stay, what to eat, and what things to do in Ushuaia.
Ushuaia is the most southern city in the world and is home to the Tierra del Fuego National Park. It was once the site of a remote prison where men were sent to work in inhospitable conditions. It is now the main embarkation point for cruises to Antarctica and a hotspot for tourism in Patagonia.
I spent 3 days in Ushuaia and was able to see quite a bit. I spent one day getting to know the town center, and the other two days in Ushuaia with a rental car seeing nature. The best thing I did in Ushuaia was take a Beagle Channel boat cruise to see sea lions, penguins, and the famous lighthouse.
In this post, I will outline the Ushuaia best things to do and see, both in town and further out. I will also suggest where to stay and give detailed instructions on how to get to Ushuaia from other parts of Patagonia.
Short on time? Start here!
- Do this Beagle Channel Tour: Beagle Channel with minitrekking
- Stay here: Hotel Albatross
- Go hiking at: Laguna Esmeralda
- Purchase Tierra del Fuego Park tickets here
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Where is Ushuaia located?
Ushuaia is the most southern city in the world. It is located in Argentine Patagonia in the Tierra del Fuego province. This province is actually an island that is disconnected from mainland South America. It is also cut off from the rest of Argentina, and you must pass through the country of Chile to reach Argentina again.
The city of Ushuaia is on the northern side of the Beagle Channel.
Map of Ushuaia
How do you pronounce Ushuaia?
In English, it is pronounced with the “sh” as in “shout,” in the middle of the word: Uuh-shoo-why-ya. The initial “uuh” is pronounced with a long “u” sound like “mute.”
However, in Spanish, they do not pronounce the “sh,” but say it with a singular ‘s’ sound: Uuh-soo-why-ya. The initial “uuh” is pronounced with a long “u” or “oo” sound like “loot.”
Money in Ushuaia
Like most places in Patagonia, you can pay with a credit card for almost every single thing. At the supermarket, La Anónima, you have to pay with a physical credit card as they do not have tap-to-pay. But in every other place, I was able to pay with Apple Pay.
The only Western Unions are on the west side of the city. One of them is inside the Carrefour, and the other is a stand-alone building. Google Maps shows there is a Western Union on the east side of the city, but it does not exist in reality.
3 Days in Ushuaia
If have 3 days in Ushuaia, there are several great things you can do and see here. You can easily see the Ushuaia points of interest in one day. On the other days you have in Ushuaia, I suggest heading out of town and into the glorious nature that is Patagonia near Ushuaia, the town at the end of the world.
1. Museo Marítimo y del Presidio de Ushuaia
This museum is like several smaller museums packed into one building. A building that was once a prison. Like Siberia or Australia, the prison at the end of the world was originally created to send prisoners into conditions that would be incredibly difficult to escape from.
There is one main hall in the center. From there, five different hallways extend out like a hand, each wing two stories high. In each “finger,” you can find a different section: Maritime Museum, Prison Museum, Antarctic Museum, Marine Art Museum, a modern art exhibition, and the history of the indigenous population of the area.
The entrance price includes access to a free audio guide in several languages, so make sure to bring your own earbuds. You can scan the QR codes on the wall to hear short audio descriptions of various rooms. The price is $40. The museum is cool but that price is way too expensive for what it is in my opinion.
You can enter the museum as often as you want within a 48-hour.
2. Museo Fin del Mundo
The Museo Fin del Mundo is two museums in one, and they are two blocks apart. It doesn’t matter which you go to first. The price is 6000 pesos ($6) and allows you entry into both.
One of the museums is a small room with displays of the animals, particularly birds, of the region. An Indigenous man gives a chat (in Spanish) every day at 11 am, discussing the history of the region and the history of the Indigenous peoples.
The second museum is more focused on the old seat of government in the area, the shipwreck of 1930, and the history of the formation of Ushuaia.
3. Double Decker Bus
Take a one-hour Ushuaia sightseeing tour in these funky old blue double-decker buses visiting historical spots around the city.
Tours are in both Spanish and English in the summer, but Spanish only in the winter. You should bring your own headphones for audio in other languages. I suggest booking your tour in advance, especially in the summer. The tour times are at: 10:30, 12:30, 15:30, and 17:30.
4. Take a photo with the USHUAIA sign
Like every city in the world lately, Ushuaia also has a giant sign with its name. You can find the USHUAIA sign on the west end of the city along the coast. I was there in early January, so the Santa hat sat on top of the U. Naturally, there is also a small silhouette of the Islas Malvinas next to the sign.
This is one of the few free things to do in Ushuaia.
5. Malvinas Memorial
You can find the memorial to the fallen soldiers of the 1982 Malvinas war just across the street from the Ushuaia sign. Argentines feel very connected to this island and you will see lots of signs of patriotism and anger regarding the Malvinas islands all over the country, though it seems to strengthen the further south you go.
6. Walk along the Costanera
The city of Ushuaia sits right on the northern bank of the Beagle Channel. There is a walking/cycling path all along the edge of town. Ushuaia gets very windy, but taking a walk along the coast is beautiful. You can see the boats docked at the port that go between Ushuaia and Antarctica. There are also several smaller boats docked here.
7. Relax at the Playa Larga
This rocky beach is on the east side of Ushuaia. The last mile to get there consists of a very rocky dirt road. Once you park in the small parking lot, you just need to follow a small trail down to the beach. You can climb along the rocky cliffs or bring a blanket and spend an afternoon here.
8. Go on a Beagle Channel Tour
One of the most popular things to do in Ushuaia is to take a cruise along the Beagle Channel. Several companies do this excursion which usually lasts around 4 hours. The main attractions are Isla Alicia, Isla Pajaros, Isla de Lobos, and the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. You’ll get off at Bridges Island to walk around and discuss the region.
You should know in advance that most boat companies do not stop on Martillo Island to see the penguins.
If you want to get off on Martillo Island and walk around with the penguins, then you should book this tour. You can choose to do a full-day or half-day tour that includes walking with penguins, sailing from Haberton Bay, seeing the colony of sea lions, and visiting the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse.
I chose to do this group tour because there is only a maximum of 26 people. I didn’t want to join one of the massive groups and travel around the channel with so many people in such a big boat. This was one of my top things to do in Ushuaia. If you only have one day in Ushuaia, try to make this fit into your itinerary.
My tour did not include Martillo Island to walk with penguins.
9. Southern Fuegian Railway
The Southern Fuegian Railway is known as the train at the end of the world. It is the railway that the prisoners once worked on. This train station is located just before the entrance to the Tierra del Fuego National Park.
Because the train enters the park, you will have to pay the $40 entrance fee. You can pay in advance online or at the counter when you arrive.
It is a short ride on a small train that takes you into the forest. It is a fun ride but it is for tourists and a bit gimmicky. If you’re not into cheesy things, you may want to skip this experience. But if this sounds like a good time, you can buy your tickets at the window or online in advance. I suggest purchasing in advance if you go during the summer.
If you do not have transportation, you can consider signing up for this tour which has hotel pick-up and drop-off and includes a guide. If you have a rental car or want to take an Uber, then you can consider this tour which has a meeting point at the train station.
10. Visit the Tierra del Fuego National Park
The Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego is the most southern national park in Argentina. It is on an island, disconnected from mainland Argentina. The cost to enter the park is $40 for foreigners or $7 for students (they don’t ask to see a student ID). You can buy your tickets to enter the Tierra del Fuego National Park here.
Post Office at the End of the World
Unfortunately this post office at the end of the world is closed. It has fallen into disrepair, and you can no longer walk on the deck or go inside. It sits on the banks of a beautiful section of the Beagle Channel.
Cascada del Rio Pipo
The “cascade” (waterfall) isn’t more than a fast-moving river at the end of the short trail to get there (15 minutes one way). But the walk to get there is stunning. You’ll pass by wild horses as they graze in the green grass and forest.
Costa Sendera
The Senda Costera is an 8km walk along the Beagle Channel that will take 3-4 hours to walk the entire length. You can start the walk at the trailhead next to the post office and finish the hike at the trailhead near the Alakush Visitor Center, or vice versa.
Bahía Lapataia
You can find the Lapataia Bay (Bahia Lapataia) at the very end of the Ruta 3, where it dead ends. Once you park in the dirt parking lot, you can do a few different small trails around the area. There are also some walkways that bring you to lookout points on the water. This area can get very busy due to the high volume of tourist buses.
11. Go hiking
There are several hiking trails in the area to the north and east of Ushuaia. The most popular trails are:
- Laguna Esmeralda
- Glaciar Vinciguerra & Laguna de los Tempanos
- Mirador Laguna del Caminante
- Martial Mountains
- Laguna Turquesa
I use AllTrails Plus when I go hiking. I highly recommend it as you can download offline maps, and send out “lifelines” to friends and family to let them know exactly where you are. You can rate trails, and get inspired to try new ones. The membership is $35/year, but with this discount, it is just $25 for the year. That’s barely $2/month.
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12. Drive the Ruta 3 and the surrounding area
There are a lot of beautiful things to see outside of Ushuaia. If you rented a car, then take advantage of the surrounding area to check out the nature of Argentina’s most southern province.
Paso Garibaldi
The Garibaldi Pass is a 2-story structure that allows you to have a great view of Lago Escondido. You can also see the previous Ruta 3 going down near the lake. The newer paved Route 3 has been around for about 20 years.
Puerto Almanza
This is a port along the Beagle Channel, about 75km from Ushuaia. There are a few restaurants down there and it’s a great place to get views of nature and scenery.
Estancia Harberton
This is a private ranch. You need to pay to enter. Inside there are restaurants, cafes, and even places to stay. You can see the stunning landscape and nature of the area. Martillo Island is not far from here, and the people at the Harberton Ranch can help you organize a tour to see the penguins.
King Crab in Ushuaia
One of the most common things to eat here in Ushuaia is king crab. As you walk around town, you’ll see a ton of different restaurants offering this. Because Ushuaia sits right on the water, the seafood here is fresh. But also like everywhere in Patagonia, you should expect to pay high prices.
If you have 3 days in Ushuaia, you should try to make one of those meals a king crab meal. Here are a few places where you can find king crab (centolla):
3 Days in Ushuaia Itinerary
First Day in Ushuaia
Take this first day to acquaint yourself with the city. Take a walk along the Costanera to see the cruise boats, the port, the USHUAIA sign, and the Malvinas Memorial. Walk along the main Avenida San Martin and eat king crab for lunch. Visit the museums and either take a ride on the double-decker bus or a cruise around the Beagle Channel.
Second Day in Ushuaia
For your second day in Ushuaia, head over to the Tierra del Fuego National Park. There is lots to do inside the park including the train ride, the Senda Costera trek, the walkways at Bahia Lapataia, and the Rio Pipo Waterfall. Once you finish up at the park, head back towards Ushuaia, and go to the Playa Larga for a late afternoon picnic.
Third-Day in Ushuaia
For your third day, I suggest doing one of the several hikes in the area. Laguna Esmeralda is the most popular and takes about 4 hours. There is a large parking lot at the trailhead. You can also drive along Ruta 3 making stops along the way to see nature, like at the Paso Garibaldi.
What to do in Ushuaia for 2 Days?
If you have just 2 days in Ushuaia, then you need to prioritize what matters the most to you. I think the best way to spend two days in Ushuaia, is to visit the town center and do the Beagle Channel cruise on the first day. On the second day, you should visit the Tierra del Fuego National Park.
Travel Insurance for Traveling in Argentina
It is definitely a good idea to get travel insurance when you go to Argentina. You never know what could happen. For my physical health, I use SafetyWing.
I use SafetyWing, which is great travel medical insurance created by nomads for nomads. You can sign up for as many days as you need, and cancel whenever you want. They have particularly good prices, especially for those under 40 years old. Check them out here.
Best Time To Visit Ushuaia
Ushuaia stays pretty cold and windy all year long. In the winter (July – August) Ushuaia sees heavy snowfall. In the summer months (December – February), you’ll get some sunny days and colder evenings.
However, because the high season sees more tourists, you can also expect prices to increase. Make sure you book your accommodation in advance as much as possible. Traveling to Ushuaia in the winter will be slightly more affordable, but you won’t be able to do much due to the freezing temperatures.
November and March are a good time to visit. The weather will be chilly but not nearly as cold as in the winter. It will also be easier and more affordable to find accommodation.
What is the best month to visit Ushuaia?
The best month to visit Ushuaia is January. Being so far south, Ushuaia never sees what you would consider to be a typical summer. It’s jacket season all year long. But in January you’ll find the warmest days. It is sunny during the day but colder in the mornings and evenings.
It’s not uncommon to have windy and rainy mornings, only to then have sunny afternoons.
How to Reach Ushuaia
Ushuaia is the most southern city in the world. But even though it is so remote, it is not difficult to get there. It all just depends on how much time you have and how much money you want to spend.
How to get to Ushuaia from Buenos Aires
You can reach Ushuaia from Buenos Aires by a series of several buses over the course of several days, making stops in Puerto Madryn and Rio Gallegos. Long-distance bus ticket prices do add up, therefore I suggest flying to Ushuaia if you’re coming from Buenos Aires.
The three airlines that fly to Ushuaia from Buenos Aires are Flybondi, Jetsmart, and Aerolineas Argentinas. Unfortunately, none of these airlines are super reliable, so don’t be surprised if your flight gets delayed.
How to get to Ushuaia from El Calafate
There is no direct bus that goes between El Calafate and Ushuaia. You need to make a transfer in the city of Rio Gallegos (east coast of Santa Cruz province). You can check the bus schedules on Busbud or Unibus.
El Calafate to Rio Gallegos: 4.5 hours ($31-$37)
Rio Gallegos to Ushuaia: 12.5 hours ($70)
Rio Gallegos
If you decide to transfer in Rio Gallegos between Ushuaia and El Calafate, then you will most likely need to spend the night. Here are a few things to know about Rio Gallegos:
- Rio Gallegos Bus terminal: Terminal de Ómnibus de Río Gallegos
- Uber works in Rio Gallegos
- Where to sleep: Amerian Hotel (I stayed here and loved it)
- Where to eat: Neneo Restaurante
- Where to drink craft beer: Runas Craft Beer Bar
- What to do: Walk along the Costanera
El Calafate to Ushuaia
There is a 3 am bus from El Calafate that arrives in Rio Gallegos at 7 am. Then you can take the 8 am bus from Rio Gallegos to Ushuaia, arriving after 8:20 pm. Cross your fingers that the first bus arrives on time.
Beyond the 3 am bus, the other buses from El Calafate to Rio Gallegos arrive in the afternoon. Then you can take the bus from Rio Gallegos to Ushuaia the next morning at 8 am (there is only one bus per day going to Ushuaia from Rio Gallegos at 8 in the morning). This is what I did.
Ushuaia to El Calafate
You need to go to Rio Gallegos first as there is no direct bus line connecting Ushuaia and El Calafate. There is only one bus per day going to Rio Gallegos from Ushuaia, which leaves at 3 am and arrives at 3 pm.
Your best bet is to sleep at least one night in Rio Gallegos and take the bus to El Calafate the next day. If you don’t want to sleep in Rio Gallegos, there is an evening bus that leaves at 8 pm and arrives in El Calafate at midnight. You will spend 5 hours in Rio Gallegos with your luggage.
Getting Around Ushuaia
It is not complicated to get around the town of Ushuaia.
Walk
While the city of Ushuaia is fairly large, you will likely only need to reach the areas near the tourist center. You can easily walk from one end of Ushuaia to the other. I stayed at the top of the hilly city and it only took me 10-15 minutes to reach the main road.
Taxi
You can take city taxis or Ubers around Ushuaia. I found that Ubers arrived fairly quickly when I ordered them during my time here.
Rent a Car
If you are only planning to spend time in the city center and do organized tours, then you really don’t need to rent a car. But if you want to have a little more freedom and get out of the city, then a car rental is a great idea. Most streets have free street parking. I had no problem parking my rental car in front of my accommodation.
Organized Tours in Ushuaia
If you want to see more of what nature has to offer around Ushuaia, then you’re in luck. There are several organized tours that you can do!
3 Days in Ushuaia FAQs
Here are a few more answers to your burning questions about visiting Ushuaia.
How many days should I spend in Ushuaia?
This answer depends on what you want to do. You can easily see the town center in one day. But the best parts of visiting Ushuaia are outside of the city center. I stayed for 3 days in Ushuaia and found it to be a decent amount of time to do the top activities on my Ushuaia bucket list.
If I had a few more days, I would have done a few more hikes in the area. However, I feel satisfied with my 3 days in Ushuaia. I feel like I was able to see quite a bit.
Where do tourists stay in Ushuaia?
The majority of tourists stay as close as possible to the main tourist center. The main street is called Avenida San Martin, which is where the majority of restaurants, cafes, and shops are found. Staying within walking distance of this street is ideal. If you have a rental car in Ushuaia, then you can consider staying further out.
Is Ushuaia walkable?
Ushuaia is extremely walkable. You can walk from one end of Avenida San Martin to the other in about 30 minutes.
Is Ushuaia really worth it?
I think it’s worth it. You get to say you visited the most southern town in the world. What is even more worth it, is leaving Ushuaia to see the nature and various lookout points, as well as several of the hikes. The beauty down here is unmatched. Doing the Beagle Channel cruise is really a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
What is Ushuaia famous for?
Ushuaia is famous for being the most southern town in the world. It is also one of the main debarkation points for cruises that are coming and going between Argentina and Antarctica.
Where to Stay in Ushuaia
The main street in Ushuaia is called Avenida San Martin. This is where you’ll find the majority of the shops and restaurants. There are tons of hostels and hotels surrounding this downtown area.
Hotel Albatros
This hotel is located near the downtown, the Maritime Museum, and the port. You’ll have no problem walking everywhere. Breakfast is included. There is also a restaurant, a spa, and a workout room.
BOOK NOW to stay in this very central hotel in Ushuaia
Posada Fueguina
This guesthouse is at the top of a hill and has a great view of the city. Free parking and free breakfast are included.
Get a great view and stay in this here, BOOK NOW
Yaghan Hostel
This hostel is clean and very centrally located. You can easily walk to the main street. Breakfast is included. There is also a kitchen you can use.
BOOK NOW to stay in this centrally located hostel in Ushuaia
Final Thoughts on 3 Days in Ushuaia
Even if you only have 3 days in Ushuaia, a visit is still worth it. The nature of Tierra del Fuego and Argentina Patagonia is really unmatched. Ushuaia is surrounded by forests, national parks, the Beagle Channel, as well as penguins and sea lions. I hope you’ll have a chance to visit Ushuaia and experience it all for yourself.
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