Ushuaia, Argentina cruises
Ushuaia in Argentina is the capital of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. This enchanting city is surrounded by spectacular snow-capped mountains, waterways, and is widely thought of us the gateway to Antarctica.
On a cruise to Ushuaia, you’re well on your way to some of the world’s most stunning sights and experiences.
Ushuaia port guide
Famously referred to as ‘The End of the World City’, Ushuaia port is surrounded by the Martial Mountains and the Beagle Channel. It’s from here that many boats set sail for Antarctica.
On visiting Ushuaia, you’ll be met with staggering sea, mountain, and forest views at just about every turn. It truly is one of the world’s most unique cities.
In addition to being a strategic explorer’s hub, Ushuaia is peppered with colourful buildings made from all shapes, sizes, and materials. These house plenty of things to see, do, eat, and drink.
Here is our guide on everything you need to know about exploring the port city of Ushuaia.
Top landmarks and sights in Ushuaia
Tierra del Fuego National Park
Tierra del Fuego National Park is located on the Argentine part of the Tierra del Fuego island, roughly a 20-minute drive from Ushuaia itself. Offering ample opportunities for cyclists, canoeists, day cruisers, hikers, anglers, divers, and birdwatchers, this national park is famed for its diverse and scenic landscape.
Monumento Antiguos Pobladores
A tribute to the pioneer settlers of Ushuaia, this white stone monument has been carefully crafted detailing a different scene at each angle. Providing history about the province of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica, and the South Atlantic islands, Monumento Antiguos Pobladores is a beautiful statue that should not be missed.
The End of the World sign
Although it is small in size, the End of the World sign is one of the biggest and most popular attractions in Ushuaia. Located near the cruise terminal downtown, this sign acknowledges your presence at the ‘End of the World’ and makes for the perfect photographic memento of your trip.
Plaza Malvinas
A monument that serves as a reminder of the Falkland Islands War of 1982, the Plaza Malvinas is a unique statue detailing a 3D metal map of where the war took place. On the black marble wall, a list of the names of the Argentinian people who lost their lives during the conflict are displayed.
Things to do in Ushuaia
Museo Maritimo y del Presidio de Ushuaia
This 19th century prison building houses an impressive collection of maritime, Antarctic, and marine collections, as well as artefacts from the jail itself. With displays and exhibitions that date back to the first inhabitants, the Museo Maritimo y del Presidio de Ushuaia describes the history of the region. This building is among one of the most notable in Ushuaia.
Southern Fuegian Railway
The Southern Fuegian Railway, or The Train to the End of the World, is a steam railway that was originally built to transport resources to the prison of Ushuaia. Travelling through Ushuaia’s scenic landscape, this railway adventure takes you on a journey through history.
Antigua Casa Beban
One of the original homes in Ushuaia, Antigua Casa Beban has long served as a community centre. Built between 1911 and 1913, in the 1980s the Beban family donated the house to the city. Today, the house is a cultural centre for locals and visitors alike and houses art galleries for viewing.
Eating and drinking in Ushuaia
Traditional and local dishes in Ushuaia are influenced by locally sourced ingredients. Notable dishes include king crab, cod, mussels, and lamb from steppe farms.
King crab is served in a variety of ways in Ushuaia, and paired with various seasonings and ingredient combinations. Some outstanding crab dishes created in this fishing city include ravioli stuffed with spider crab and whole crab entrees.
Beyond the food, the drink specialities from Ushuaia are also impressive. Mate is Argentina’s national drink and is consumed as part of the Yerba Mate ritual. It is made by crushing leaves and twigs from the yerba mate plant into hot water. It can be consumed with or without milk and sugar.
Getting around, Ushuaia transport
Everything in Ushuaia is easily accessible by bus, taxi, tour service, or on foot. The port is around a 10-minute walk from the city centre.
Taxis in Ushuaia are not metered but, on average, it costs around 20 US dollars to hire a taxi for one hour.
Ushuaia port facilities
The port facilities at Ushuaia include free Wi-Fi and a taxi rank.
Ushuaia quick tips
Currency
The Argentinian Peso is the local currency in Ushuaia. In Ushuaia, major credit cards and US dollars are widely accepted, however, it is recommended that you use Argentinian Pesos rather than US Dollars to get a favourable rate in shops and restaurants. It can be useful to carry some cash for purchases in small establishments and food stalls, where there may not be a card machine.
Tipping is not mandatory in Ushuaia, however for exceptional service, a small bonus is appreciated.
Weather
Ushuaia has a sub-polar oceanic climate with over 160 days of rainfall each year.
On average, temperatures reach average highs of 14 °C during the summer in Ushuaia while the winter months reach average lows of -1 °C.