Top 7 Things To Do In Ushuaia, Argentina (During Off-Season)

What are the best things to do in Ushuaia, Argentina? When I started planning my trip to Ushuaia, which is located in the Tierra del Fuego province of Argentina, I didn’t exactly make a list of things to do in Ushuaia, but considering how remote this place is, I think that was a mistake. 

It has always been a dream of mine to step foot in Patagonia, a land so far away from home that it seemed to me to be another planet. 

But if you look at the map to see exactly where Ushuaia is, well, it kinda is another planet. It’s called planet Patagonia, where the climate and everything else is different, or at least in reverse to what I’m used to back home. 

I knew theoretically that South America had the season reversed to what I was used to in Europe. 

And the reason I mentioned the climate in Ushuaia and the weather is because the time of the year when you visit might influence a lot the type of activities you can in Ushuaia. 

But I want you to be prepared and not make the same mistakes I did, so I will tell you the most important things to do in Ushuaia so you can plan to get there at the right time to do them. 

Why visit Ushuaia in shoulder seasons?

Ushuaia is highly touristy during summer (as any nature destination is around the globe), because that’s when you can do most activities. 

But visiting in high season (December to March) means that there will be crowds, higher prices, and an overall feeling of touristy. 

As a bit of a background about me, I have to share that I would rather not go where the crowds go, because I don’t feel I enjoy a crowded place the same as I enjoy the same place with fewer people. 

I need space to get it all in.

I need air to breathe and empty sidewalks to walk a city. That’s the kind of traveller I am, and that’s why my travel tips will always take into account the time of the year that’s best to visit a destination to avoid massive crowds. 

As for Ushuaia, many Antarctica cruises leave during summer, and many come to work there for the summer. The place, which isn’t huge, gets too crowded for my taste. 

In the end, I wanted to also find a balance between the budget for Ushuaia and the time of the year with no crowds.

Luckily, in April, when I visited Ushuaia, the prices were lower, and the crowds were gone. It was just right. 

Unfortunately, it was rather cold. And I am not a big fan of cold destinations. 

But that’s why I created a special kind of Ushuaia travel guide for those visiting during the shoulder season. 

So let’s discover what’s there to do in shoulder seasons in Ushuaia, Argentina.

How to get to Ushuaia?

The only way to get to Ushuaia is with a direct flight from Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina.

I recommend booking your flight in advance, as they tend to get really expensive as the travel date approaches.

I used Aerolíneas Argentinas, the national airline of Argentina, and booked my flight directly on their website to get the best rates. It might be an issue if you don’t understand Spanish, but you can use Google Translate in your browser.

Also, know that Aerolíneas Argentinas only allows up to 8 kilograms of carry-on, and anything over that needs to be checked in (this rule applies only to domestic flights in Argentina).

So I had to check in my 10 kg backpack, but it was all ok.

By the way, Buenos Aires will be your origin and destination as you travel to and back from Ushuaia, so make sure to leave some days to actually explore Buenos Aires, because there are so many things to do in Buenos Aires too.

I also have a detailed travel guide for Argentina, so go check it out for more tips.

Where to stay in Ushuaia, Argentina?

I strongly recommend that you stay in the centre of Ushuaia. 

The small city, more like a very walkable town, has everything you need and everything is close. 

Some cooler accommodations might be up in the mountains, but aside from the awesome views, you will have a hard time getting to the city from your accommodation. 

That’s why I believe that staying somewhere in the centre of Ushuaia will definitely make your experience even more memorable.

Because in the centre is where all the action happens – restaurants, bars and cool experiences. 

I stayed at Aunaisin – Apartamento con excelentes vistas, and I would definitely stay there again.

As the name of the apartment says, the views are absolutely breathtaking, and you should definitely stay somewhere with awesome views in Ushuaia. 

The good news is that if you travel off-season or during shoulder season and avoid the high season, you will get the best prices and find stunning accommodations like this one. 

I booked this apartment just a few days before arriving, and I was also able to talk to the owner and arrange to pay in cash in Argentinian Pesos, which in the end, was cheaper for me because of the Blue Dollar exchange rate in Argentina. 

Things to do in Ushuaia (Argentina) in shoulder seasons

Most tourists go to Ushuaia, the town at the end of the world, during the summer (December to March), and there’s simply so much to do there because there is such beautiful nature. 

Basically, going in Ushuaia during the high season means that you will not get bored, and the number of things you will do will basically be up to your energy level. 

But what do you do if you made it to Ushuaia in the shoulder seasons (April or October), when the weather is somehow unfriendly, and nature hikes are less of an option?

I did just this – I went to Ushuaia, Argentina, in April for a week. 

Boat tour on the Beagle Channel 

Going on a boat ride is the number one activity in Ushuaia. 

There are multiple companies operating all year long, and you will get a better price if you go there directly and ask at each office about the availability and price. 

Simply go to the small park in front of the port, where all the touristy boats are, and you will see the huts for each agency (right next to the tourist information office). 

Depending on the demand and the time of the year, prices might fluctuate, but travelling off-season will definitely be cheaper. 

If you can, get the Zodiac boat for the ride; it was simply magical. 

Note that most agencies prefer cash payment in Argentinian Pesos. Card payment is also possible but it will end up being more expensive for you after you add the international conversion rates and commissions. 

I really wanted to make the longer trip to see the Penguins (in Ushuaia, Argentina), which reside during summer on Martillo Island, then you have to be there between October and March (summer). 

I was there at the end of April, and it was too late. 

No boat company was making this trip anymore because penguins do not stay there after summer is gone. The exact date of the end of the season for these longer trips to Martillo Island is not set in stone, but it’s usually by the end of March, when they start noticing that the penguins are leaving from the island. 

This is information I couldn’t find online, and then the staff from Ushuaia’s boat agencies explained it to me. 

So it’s important to bear in mind that while travelling off-season is cheaper, some of the activities that are available during summer might not be an option for you. 

Visit the Prison Museum 

Ushuaia wasn’t a town that was organically created by the first people who were living here. 

Quite the contrary. 

It emerged as a place to establish an Argentinian colony (for strategic purposes), and then it became a perfect location for setting up a prison. 

The history of the prison and stories of the prisoners are chilling, but it might spark some enthusiasm in those interested in dark tourism. 

The prison building houses several museums, and you only pay for one ticket. Card payments are accepted. You can use that ticket to enter for 48 hours, as many times as you’d like. 

It’s really a lot to visit, and then it was getting kinda cold in April, so I ended up visiting twice.

Here’s the list of all the museums you’ll find inside the prison’s building in Ushuaia:

• Maritime Museum
• Museum of the Prison of Ushuaia
• Antarctic Museum
• Marine Art Museum
• Art Gallery

No visit to Ushuaia is complete without at least one stop at this museum. Here’s the official Maritime Museum website for more info. 

It really goes beyond the story of the prison, and I learnt so much about the history of the place, the native people who were living here before anyone came to establish the colony, and so much more. 

Hike to Martial Glacier

Ushuaia is a mountain town, so naturally, one of the top things to do is to go hiking. During winter, there are sky slopes too. 

Don’t worry if you don’t have any kind of equipment; you can always rent whatever you might need from the shops located in the centre. 

To hike up to the Martial Glacier, you can either walk for about two hours from the centre of Ushuaia or take a taxi. 

The road ends where the slope begins, and there are some restaurants and cafes. 

To get to the glacier in Ushuaia, Argentina, you will need to hike up the slope for another 30 minutes or so.

In April, it was already snowy, and it was slippery, with some parts covered in ice. So, it’s important to have the right footwear to avoid any injuries. However, I also saw people hiking in sportshoes, and they were fine. 

It was not impossible to walk up to a certain point to get a view of the glacier in sport shoes, but going up close to it was not easy. 

Top hikes in Ushuaia

I mentioned that some of the hiking trails weren’t accessible in April, given the weather, but it’s worth mentioning them here to put them on your itinerary, and you can decide there if the weather is good enough to attempt it. 

The top hikes in Ushuaia are:

• Esmeralda Lagoon
• Lagona del Caminante (start in Ushuaia)
• Vinciguerra Glacier

I used AllTrails to get information about the available trails. Note that during winter, some of these trails are not maintained, so you should not attempt them. 

I also noticed that the travel agencies in Ushuaia will organise day trips to get tourists to the start of these hiking trails and then wait for you there. 

Another option is to take a taxi to the start of the trail and then call them to get you after you’re done. It’s a remote area, but locals know that these are the top tourist activities and will try to make it easier for you.  

I admit that the reason I didn’t want to do more hikes was the cold. I was moderately dressed, and seeing snowcapped peaks was great, but only when I was sitting inside. I’m not a winter destination girl. 

Eat king crab

There are many restaurants in Ushuaia that serve king crab. You shouldn’t skip it because there are no places in this world where you will find fresh king crab. 

Luckily, Ushuaia is one of them, and there are plenty of offers. 

According to the internet, the best restaurant to eat king crab in Ushuaia is El Viajo Marino (translates to “the marime journey”) and this family-run restaurants is always busy because of it. 

I tried it and it was ok, but there’s a huge demand and they don’t accept reservations. 

Because they have a limited number of crabs every day, you have to come early for dinner. At 8 PM they were out of the big king crabs and I ordered the last smaller one (for 1 person). 

Prices were ok, considering the remote location and the demand (even in the off-season). 

But don’t worry if you can’t get a table there. If you’re hungry, just walk around the few streest in the very centre of Ushuaia and you’’ll see plenty of nice-looking restaurants that sell seafood and king crab. 

Shop at the artisans’ market

Next to the port in Ushuaia is the artisans’ market, which brings together local craftsmen who sell handmade souvenirs. If you want to buy something to bring back home, this is the place to do it. 

The people I met in this small market felt real and authentic, and their crafts were truly handmade. 

The market is open all year round. 

Visit the Fin del Mundo Museum (End of the World Museum)

After visiting the Prison Museum, the second most-visited museum is the End of the World Museum. 

The museum is actually divided into two different locations (2 houses) which are just a couple of blocks away from each other. 

The museums are small, but they share more stories about the town, including the tragic loss of the Monte Cervantes cruise on the Beagle Channel. 

I found all these facts and stories fascinating, considering how remote Ushuaia and the Tierra del Fuego really are in comparison to other holiday destinations even in South America. 

Go on a helicopter tour

Going on a helicopter tour in Ushuaia might not be the most budget-friendly activity, but it might be worth it if you want to see more of the city and the weather doesn’t allow hiking or other outdoor activities. 

This isn’t cheap, but Ushuaia isn’t a big place, so a 7-minute helicopter ride might not be a bad deal, considering you’re at the end of the world. 

Of course, if budget is not a concern, then you will find longer helicopter tours, such as this scenic helicopter tour in the heart of the Andes which has great reviews. 

Extra activities around Ushuaia

Other things to do in Ushuaia after doing the top activities are:

• Train ride to the Tierra del Fuego National Park
• Trip to Escondido and Fagnano Lakes (you can do a tour here)

Is a trip to Ushuaia worth it?

Yes, Ushuaia is worth a visit.

It’s not just because it’s unanimously called “The end of the word,” but also because it’s a gorgeous mountain town and a perfect destination for anyone looking for some outdoor activities that involve hiking, boat tours, whale watching, glacier hiking, and so much more. 

Ushuaia is also the starting point for any tourist cruise towards Antarctica, the seven continents.

So, if you’re visiting during summer (December to March) and drop by the office of the Antarctica Cruise travel agencies in Ushuaia, you might score a last-minute deal with a bit of a discount on one of their cruises. It will still be about $10,000 per person, but some experiences are prices, don’t you think?!

I made a really beautiful video about Ushuaia, and you can watch it on my YouTube channel: