Is Ushuaia Worth Visiting for Adventure Seekers Not Heading to Antarctica?
In February 2024, I finally reached the edge of the world. Standing at the southernmost tip of the American continent, with Antarctica just beyond the horizon, I found myself in front of the last lighthouse. This beacon stands as a symbol of Ushuaia, a place where you can leave all your worries behind and embrace the serenity of the end of the world.
🟠TIPS:
1️⃣ A must-do experience is venturing out to sea to see the lighthouse and penguins. Travel agencies typically offer three types of tours: one that takes you to the lighthouse, seabirds, and seals, usually including a visit to the seabird island; another that lets you view the lighthouse, seabirds, and seals from the boat, followed by a penguin viewing, also from the boat; and a third that focuses solely on penguins, with transportation by car and boat or vice versa.
If you wish to land on the island to see the penguins up close, this tour has a daily limit, and only the piratour agency is authorized to conduct it. It’s highly recommended to book at least two days in advance. Unfortunately, we were too late, and all spots were already taken.
2️⃣ The town of Ushuaia, though not small, has most of its activities concentrated around the port area. To get a comprehensive understanding of the entire town, it’s advisable to take the city tour bus. The bus offers commentary in Chinese, but headphones need to be purchased separately. You can bring your own or use the ones you received for free on the bus in Buenos Aires. There are four departures daily at 10:30, 12:30, 15:30, and 17:30.
3️⃣ Tierra del Fuego National Park is a popular destination, especially for those who want to visit the post office at the end of the world. If you’re taking the bus, it’s best to catch the earliest one. This way, you’ll arrive when it’s almost empty, providing better photo opportunities and shorter lines for sending postcards.
Prepare your postcards in advance and buy stamps and seals on-site. There are generally three hiking routes to choose from: one from the post office along the lake to the bus stop for line 2, another from the bus stop to the Chilean border for line 3, and the third from the bus stop to the end of Route 3.
4️⃣ In January and February, the town is mostly snow-free, but it’s bustling with tourists heading to Antarctica. While Ushuaia is charming, it might lack the mystical atmosphere of being at the end of the world during this time. If you’re looking for a snowy experience, it’s recommended to visit during the Southern Hemisphere winter.
5️⃣ Don’t miss out on the king crab! It’s a must-try when you’re in Ushuaia—fresh, sweet, and utterly delicious. The Old Captain’s restaurant is a popular spot, so expect long queues. We visited twice, and the second time they had already sold out of king crab, but their other seafood dishes are equally delightful.
