Ushuaia
Antarctic expedition travellers who want to combine a Patagonia adventure with Southern Lights viewing
About Ushuaia
Ushuaia — the "End of the World" city at the southern tip of Patagonia — is the world's southernmost city and the classic gateway to Antarctic expedition cruising. Sitting between the Beagle Channel and the Martial Range, it offers a dramatic combination of working port, mountain backdrop and access to Tierra del Fuego wilderness. For most travellers, Antarctica is the headline draw, but Ushuaia is also one of the few accessible places where Southern Lights travel is realistically possible in the austral winter. June through August brings the longest nights and the strongest chance of seeing the Aurora Australis, especially on clear geomagnetic nights away from town lighting. Even outside aurora season, Beagle Channel cruises, penguin colonies, glacier viewpoints and national park trails make Ushuaia feel like a proper destination rather than just a departure point. The catch is cost: remote logistics and cruise traffic keep prices elevated, so it rewards travellers who book flights and accommodation earlier than they would for the rest of Argentina.
Best Time to Visit
Monthly Weather & Aurora
| Month | Avg Temp | Dark Hours | Aurora Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | +9°C | 3h | — |
| Feb | +9°C | 6h | Low |
| Mar | +7°C | 9h | Low |
| Apr | +5°C | 13h | Med |
| May | +2°C | 15h | Med |
| Jun★ Best | +1°C | 17h | High |
| Jul★ Best | 0°C | 17h | High |
| Aug★ Best | +1°C | 15h | Med |
| Sep | +4°C | 12h | Med |
| Oct | +6°C | 8h | Low |
| Nov | +8°C | 5h | — |
| Dec | +10°C | 3h | — |
Activities
Getting There
Most travellers reach Ushuaia via Buenos Aires, with regular domestic flights into Malvinas Argentinas International Airport and occasional seasonal routing changes depending on the South American travel calendar. It is the primary embarkation point for Antarctic expedition cruises, so travellers sailing south should arrive at least a day early to buffer weather or airline delays. For Patagonia itineraries, Ushuaia also combines well with El Calafate or Punta Arenas, but cruise-season hotel demand means booking early matters more here than in most Argentine cities.
Cost Breakdown
Ushuaia commands a premium vs Buenos Aires due to its remote End of the World location.
Accommodation Highlights
- ✓Boutique Hotels
- ✓Mountain Lodges
- ✓Expedition Guesthouses
Location
Budget Estimator
Based on avg $120/day in Ushuaia. Includes accommodation, food, local transport & one guided tour. Flights not included.
Quick Info
Official Channels
Packing List for Ushuaia
Interactive checklist with clothing layers, gear, and activity-specific items — based on real weather data.
View packing list →Get Aurora Alerts
Ushuaia is rated 7/10 for aurora. Get a free email alert the moment Kp hits 5+ — so you never miss the lights.
Sign up free →🏨Where to Stay(10)
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Ushuaia Lodge Las Margaritas 430
6M3Q+5F, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina
hotel
Portal Antartico
Gdor. Paz 2050, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
hostel
Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa
Cerro Alarkén N° 1(Acceso por Av, Héroes de Malvinas 2617, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
hotel
Los Cauquenes Resort + Spa + Experiences
Barrio Bahía Cauquén, De la Ermita 3462, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
resort hotel
Canal de Beagle
Av. Maipú 547, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
hotelHostería Foike
Gdor. Ernesto Manuel Campos 1554, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
hotelAlbatros Hotel
Av. Maipú 505, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
hotelDe Los Andes Hotel
Av. San Martín 753, V9410 BFH, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
hotelCosta Ushuaia Hotel
Costa de los Pájaros 1821, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
hotelAires del Beagle Apartaments
17 de Mayo 616, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
apartment building🍽️Where to Eat(10)
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La Cravia
Héroes de Malvinas 2617, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
argentinian restaurant
El Asador Steak house - Ushuaia
Av. San Martín 152 1er piso, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
restaurant
Kaupé Restaurant
Pres. Julio Argentino Roca 470, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
argentinian restaurant
Chez Manu
Luis Fernando Martial 2135, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
french restaurant
María Lola Restó
Gdor. Deloqui 1048, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
argentinian restaurantRamos Generales El Almacén
Av. Maipú 749, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
restaurantEl Mercado Ushuaia
Av. San Martín 1488, V9410BGO Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
restaurantEl Viejo Marino
Av. Maipú 227, V9410BJE Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
argentinian restaurantIsabel, Cocina al disco
Gdor. Pedro Godoy 15, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
argentinian restaurant🎯Things to Do(10)
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Taun Ushuaia
Gdor. Deloqui 930, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
point of interest
Excursiones en Ushuaia | Excursión Austral
25 de Mayo 260 Planta Baja, Oficina 3, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
tour agency
Tours Ushuaia 4x4 - Excursiones - Exchange
Av. San Martín 788 Local 23, V9410BFU Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
tour agency
Cumelen Tours Ushuaia y Calafate
Av. San Martín 955, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
tour agency
Latitud Ushuaia Travel
Gdor. Pedro Godoy 62, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
tour agencyCanal - Tierra del Fuego
Pje. Tomás Beban 1010, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
travel agencyUshuaia Extremo Travels
Av. San Martín 1354, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
travel agencyPatagonia Adventure Explorer
Av. Prefectura Naval Argentina S/N, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
point of interestPinguinos Expediciones
Gdor. Paz 95, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
travel agencyExcursiones en Ushuaia
Av. San Martín 775, V9410DDD Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
travel agencyHow Does Ushuaia Compare?
Side-by-side breakdowns featuring Ushuaia
Ushuaia vs Antarctica Peninsula
Is it worth crossing the Drake Passage to reach Antarctica, or is Ushuaia alone enough of an adventure?
Ushuaia vs Punta Arenas for Southern Lights
The two southernmost cities in the world, both gateway towns to Antarctica and the aurora australis. Ushuaia is Argentina's dramatic Patagonian port, while Punta Arenas is Chile's Strait of Magellan gateway — rival cities with much in common but distinct national characters.
Popular Activities in Ushuaia
Explore activity guides for everything you can do here
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