The word Ushuaia comes from the Yagán language. Ushuaia means "to the bottom" and waia "bay", giving it the name of "Bay to the bottom". And many times this name causes debates about what to call it: "u-yua-ia", "Usuaía" The reality is that in Argentina it is usually pronounced "u-sua-ia".
Over the years, it managed to become one of the most chosen destinations internationally by travelers and this is thanks to its impressive landscapes of mountains, valleys and lakes along with the activities it offers throughout the year.
But if we go much further back, we have a history of colonization. The first to inhabit this area were nomadic groups that were related to the Tehuelches. They were engaged in hunting and gathering, and thus the Ona and Haush peoples arose.
Then, Anglican missionaries arrived with the aim of evangelizing these towns and from there, they settled down and began to build their houses. Today walking through the city implies being part of history, much of it kept in its museums and emblematic sites.
How to get?
The means of access are by land, air and sea. The plane is normally prioritized because it is the fastest way. But to start, it is important to know that Tierra del Fuego is the smallest province in Argentina and that it is an island, also known as Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego. It is separated from the mainland by the Strait of Magellan and these waters belong to Chile.
For this reason, if you plan to arrive by car, you will have to go through certain points that we detail:
-Step of Austral Integration: here all the migratory procedures are done to enter Chile.
-Then, you must drive 100 km until you reach Punta Delgada, where there is a ferry that allows you to cross the Strait of Magellan. This navigation lasts around half an hour.
-The navigation ends and you get to Bahía Azul (still Chile) and you have to do 120 more kilometers until you reach the border in San Sebastián. Here, immigration procedures are completed again to enter Argentina again.
- And ready! 293 km from that place is Ushuaia.
* Important: to make the way until you reach Ushuaia you have to be careful for its curves and precipices (one very famous is the Paso Garibaldi) but without a doubt this route offers priceless landscapes.
If your plan is to arrive by plane, the Malvinas Argentinas International Airport is only 5 kilometers from the city. Location re accessible!
Departing from Buenos Aires, flights depart from Ezeiza International Airport or Jorge Newbery Airport and the travel time is approximately 3 hours.
* Another important fact: there is no public transport from the Ushuaia airport to the city, but there are options for taxis, remises or transfer services.
Finally and regarding its maritime access, Ushuaia has its port that has grown over the years and receives thousands of tourists who decide to travel on cruises.
Weather: What to put in the suitcase?
The climate in Ushuaia is changing during each season and even on the same day, but the common denominator is always the cold.
In winter, there are few hours of light and the lowest temperatures occur between July and August. Spring is usually quite windy and in summer it is very striking to see how the Sun has just begun to hide after 10 at night!
When assembling the suitcase, we recommend that you take into account:
- A jacket and waterproof footwear
- T-shirts, leggings and thermal stockings
- Hats, scarves, thermal gloves
- glasses
- Sunscreen
In all the closed places of Ushuaia there will always be heating, so the ideal would also be to add some light clothes so as not to feel the great air changes.
What to eat?
We know that a trip is not 100% without tasting its typical foods and Ushuaia also has them! These are:
Spider crab
It is the main and most sought-after dish in this city because it is found in few places in the world. The spider crab is a marine animal -related to the crab- that can be served in different ways of cooking: gratin, grilled or raw. Also, many restaurants offer a more classic option: Centolla soup.
Fuegian Lamb
With a smooth taste, Fuegian lamb is one of the most representative dishes at the international level. It is always offered with different garnishes. If you prefer something more classic, this option cannot be missing from your menu.
Black hake
Distinguished by its flavor and smooth texture, this dish is among the first options in marine dishes. The good thing about Ushuaia is that you have all the variations: from high-end restaurants with gourmet dishes to smaller, more traditional, fast-food and cheap places.
What to cover?
An experience that cannot be missed on this trip. Here you will see beautiful panoramic views of the city from the water and the tour will take you to the islands of sea lions and birds called cormorants. The icing on the cake is the arrival at the famous "Lighthouse Les Eclaireurs" where everyone takes their traditional photo as a postcard. In addition, many of the navigations also take you to the Martillo Island penguin colony.
Trekking to Laguna Esmeralda and Laguna Turquesa.
Surrounded by the Albino glacier, the Torres and the Toribio range, the
Laguna Esmeralda is a key point at the end of the world. This walk is 9 kilometers and of low difficulty. Once finished, you can turn aside to start the way to the
Laguna Turquesa. This is not very well known and has landscapes just as incredible as the previous one. Be careful, this route is more demanding and has many unevennesses.
Tierra del Fuego National Park
It is considered one of the most beautiful national parks in Argentine Patagonia due to the diversity of flora and fauna. and it is 12 kilometers from the city. To access there are several alternatives: you can hire an excursion or use taxis/remises.
The Tierra del Fuegot National Park has different trails to do and the highlighted areas within are Bahia Lapataia, Lago Acigami and Ensenada Zaratiegui.
Tour the Costanera: something so simple and enjoyable.
Walking around here, in addition to having beautiful views, you will come across different key points in the city.
- The Bahía Encerrada Urban Nature Reserve has viewpoints that allow you to connect directly with nature.
-The famous "Saint Christopher" is a ship that was stranded on the banks of the Beagle Channel approximately a century ago. They say that it had the objective of participating in the rescue of the Monte Cervantes cruise but it was not possible and today it is part of the postcards of Ushuaia.
- The Paseo de los Artesanos is an area located in Plaza 25 de Mayo, where artisans sell different regional products.
-The Antarctic Pioneers Walk, a tour of statues of expeditionaries who set foot on the continent in the 19th and 20th centuries.
- The classic poster of "Welcome to Ushuaia end of the world" where everyone uses to take pictures.
End of the World Train.
Did you know that there was a prison in Ushuaia?
Maritime and Prison Museum of Ushuaia.
Where the history of a city that grew to the rhythm of the labor force of the prisoners is shown. From 1902 to 1947, this "Argentine Siberia" set in motion the life and socioeconomic development of the Fuegian capital. Its residents had to work in various buildings, both for the prison and for the city. For this, the inmates and the materials were transferred to the work camps, located in what today constitutes the Tierra del Fuego National Park.
Martial Glacier.
With its base 7 km from the center, it is an ideal trail to do throughout the half day. In winter, it is also a good option for lovers of activities such as Ski and Snowboard.
Cerro Castor.