Ushuaia Travel Tips: Best Things to Do and See in the Southernmost City

If you’re torn between hiking in Tierra del Fuego National Park and exploring Emerald Lake, I highly recommend the latter for a more enchanting experience.

For those venturing to Tierra del Fuego National Park, it’s best to travel by car. Arriving before 7:30 am can save you $40 per person on the entrance fee, making it a budget-friendly option.

Car rental prices in Ushuaia are quite reasonable, with automatics costing around $100 per day and manuals at $60 per day.

This means that if two people visit Tierra del Fuego National Park early in the morning and enter for free, they can effectively save $20 by renting a car for the day, making it a smart financial choice.

Hiking at Emerald Lake, at a moderate pace, takes about 4 hours round trip, including time for snapping photos. While it can be a bit tiring, it’s not overly strenuous. The trail starts at the Laguna Esmeralda Trailhead, offering a picturesque journey through stunning landscapes.

If you opt to rent a car, you can easily visit both places in one day. Start your adventure at Tierra del Fuego National Park in the morning, return to Ushuaia for a relaxing lunch, then head to Emerald Lake for an afternoon hike, and drop off the car in the evening.

In Tierra del Fuego National Park, two must-see spots are the Baliza Lighthouse and the Senda Costera Trailhead. The coastal areas of the park are particularly scenic, and walking along these paths provides breathtaking views. If you venture away from the coast, the scenery, while still beautiful, is not as impressive.

Long Beach is a fantastic spot for watching the sunset. It’s advisable to arrive 15 minutes before sunset, as many locals also gather here to enjoy the spectacular view.

On San Martin Street, the main thoroughfare in Ushuaia, you’ll find numerous car rental companies. Renting a car is straightforward, requiring only your passport and driver’s license (a Chinese driver’s license is accepted).

At Lago Fagnano, you can marvel at a massive fault lake. The morning light enhances its beauty, making it a worthwhile visit. For a unique dining experience, try Raíces Fueguinas Museo Resto-Bar, a rare combination of a museum and restaurant.

Before embarking on our Antarctic expedition, we rented a house in Ushuaia for a week, allowing us to explore many hidden gems. Due to space limitations, more details will be shared in the next post.