Ushuaia

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Situated on the Beagle Strait, Ushuaia is the largest city in Argentine Tierra del Fuego, and arguably the southernmost city in the world. In the past, the town has been a missionary base, penal colony and naval base for the Argentine navy. Ushuaia is now a major tourist town, complete with casinos and nice restaurants, and commonly used as a base for hiking, winter sports and cruises to Antarctica.

Ushuaia
Ushuaia

[edit] Understand

In the late 19th century, the land that is now called Ushuaia was inhabited entirely by Yamana Indians and a handful of missionaries. At the time of writing (October 2005), there is allegedly one pure-blooded native-speaking Yamana Indian left. An excellent book on the history of the Yamana and their demise is The Uttermost Part of the Earth by E. Lucas Bridges, the son of one of the early missionaries. His father, Thomas Bridges, documented what he could of the Yamana language and found that it had a far larger vocabulary than the English language. Darwin, who famously sailed through the Beagle Channel, thought that the Yamana, were "the missing link".

Today the town is growing fast as a result of increased tourism since the 2002 economic crash. The government has encouraged this growth by designating Tierra del Fuego a virtually tax-free zone to encourage people to settle (many of the inhabitants of today's Ushuaia come from Chaco, in the north of Argentina). The cost of living however, is relatively high as all goods have to be transported long distances, usually by container ship.

Climate-wise, Ushuaia is warmer than many assume; although (arguably) the southernmost city in the world, it is no further south than Belfast is north, and temperatures rarely drop below -10°C. However, summers tend not to climb much above +12°C and, as in all of Patagonia, strong winds add a significant wind chill factor.

[edit] Get in

There are daily Aerolineas Argentinas flights from Buenos Aires. LAN Chile (through its LAN Express services) flies a few times a week (currently three) from Santiago de Chile, stopping over in Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas. Flights can be booked from the Aerolineas Argentinas office, as well as from some local travel agencies. The local LAN Chile representative is the Rumbo Sur travel agency. Online bookings are now (Feb 2006) possible from the sites above, although you might then have to pick up your tickets at the airline office/representative rather than at the airport. Buses from/to all destinations (apart from Puerto Natales) all stop at Rio Gallegos. It can be cheaper to just buy a ticket to Rio Gallegos and purchase an onward ticket from there.

[edit] Get around

There is no public transport around Tierra del Fuego. However, tours / transport can be booked through the Tourist Office (on San Martin) or through many of the hostels. Taxis are another option, costing, for example, Ar$8 to get from the city centre to either the airport or Glaciar Martial. There are also several car / bicycle hire companies.

[edit][add listing] See

View of a restored wing of Presidio. Exhibits are located in each prison cell.
View of a restored wing of Presidio. Exhibits are located in each prison cell.
  • Museo Marítimo, Yagones y Gobernador Paz [1]. Located in an old prison displays a collection of the history of Tierra del Fuego. Admission includes entry into the Presidio which is located on the same site as el Museo Marítimo.
  • Presidio - Museum of the historical military prison of Ushuaia. One wing of the museum has been converted to an art gallery featuring the work of local artists.
  • Museo del Fin del Mundo, Website. Highlights include the largest exhibited collection of birds from Tierra del Fuego, the figurehead of the Duchess of Albany (a sunken vessel), and library dedicated to the history and nature of Tierra del Fuego. Admission price of 10 pesos.
  • Estancia Haberton - Open only in the summer months, Estancia Haberton is a worthwhile trip for those interested in the Bridges family and their role in the local history.

  • Mastil de General Belgrano - A remote area west of the city of Ushuaia on Isla Redonda, paying tribute to one of the founders of Argentina, and to the navy cruiser named after him which was sunk by the UK in the Falklands War. It was a stop on one of the televised Amazing Race contests, and features a one-person post office for sending letters from the end of the world. Accessible by boat from Playa Larga (approx Can$20).

[edit][add listing] Do

  • Hike the Glacier Martial - Provided that you wear comfortable shoes and have the patience, a hike up the Glacier Martial will provide a very beautiful view of Ushuaia and the Beagle Chanel. There is also a single ski slope open during the winter months, and ski hire is available from the site.
  • Catamaran trips - Catamaran trips will take you around the Beagle channel and give you nice views of the mountains, cormorants, sea lions and penguins.
  • Cerro Castor - This centre for winter sports offers skiing and snowboarding. Nearby, you can also ride snowcats or husky sleighs.
  • Kayak the Beagle Channel - Kayaks can be hired near the Aeroparque on the promontory jutting out from Ushuaia.
  • Motonave Barracuda sail -ship trips will take you around the Beagle channel and give you nice views of the mountains, cormorants, sea lions and penguins.

[edit][add listing] Buy

The main shopping district of Ushuaia is located near the waterfront and offers everything that souvenir-seekers and Antarctic travelers could want. While Antarctic travelers should (obviously) arrive with proper gear already in their possession, quality winter gear including boots, coats, and other necessities can be purchased from a variety of shops.

[edit][add listing] Eat

  • Kaupé, Roca 470, ☎ +54-2901-422704 (, fax: +54-2901-422704), [2]. Expensive compared to other restaurants in Ushuaia, but the view is spectacular and the food is absolutely, positively guaranteed not to disappoint. edit

  • Kuar, Perito Moreno 2232 (), [3]. A couple of kilometers outside town, right above the rocks by the sea, breathtaking bay views and good live music scene, sophisticated and good but not outstanding and a bit pricey dining. If you don't mind the occasional dropping by of a bunch of gringos, be sure to book a table by the window in the restaurant area or to take a seat by the big wooden steps in the bar area. edit

  • Opiparo, Maipu 1255, ☎ +54-2901-434022 (), [4]. An excellent pizza & pasta restaurant at the world's end. edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

  • Dublin Bar, on 9 de Julio, is popular with tourists.
  • Galway Bar, on San Martin, is another popular Irish pub although it usually has less atmosphere than Dublin.
  • Nautico, on Maipu, is Ushuaia's only real nightclub / disco, and is open until 6am on the weekends.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Hotels in Ushuaia are often booked, especially during peak tourist season, thus it is advisable to arrive in Ushuaia with reservations. Hostels on the other hand are numerous and even in mid summer you should have no problem finding a bed.

[edit] Budget

  • Antarctica Hostel, [5]. One of the best hostels in town. Just opened recently. Free internet access and breakfast is included. Shared kitchen. Dorm bed Ar$16, double Ar$50.  edit

  • FreeStyle Hostel, [6]. Out of all the hostels in town, the freestyle has the best view of the bay from their 3rd floor common room. This is a family run hostel with spotless sheets and blazing fast (free) internet. Every morning you'll find a complimentary breakfast feast. Most shared rooms feature views of the bay and the staff will treat you like family. A shared kitchen is fully stocked with all the cutlery you will need. Dorm rooms, private rooms and private rooms with kitchenettes are available. Dorm: Ar$40 pp; Room for 4: Ar$220; Private room (double or single) Ar$180.  edit

  • La Posada Del Duende, Deloqui 1482, ☎ 02901 432562 and 15514984 (). Dorm: 40 pesos pp, double 80 pesos pp (high season, Jan 2008).  edit

  • Yakush Hostel (at Piedrabuena & San Martin (the main street)), ☎ 435807 (English spoken), [7]. Opened in May, 2004. Very inexpensive and well located. Clean, funky decorations, free email, 24hr hot water, private lockers in each room, TV, and music. Breakfast included. Great staff - hang out, talk, and share a mate or five. $25 pesos (usd$9).  edit

  • Hostel Aonikenk, 25 de mayo 576, ☎ 02901-422098 (). Free internet access and breakfast is included. Dorm bed Ar$35 (high season, Jan 2008).  edit

  • Torre al Sur Youth Hostel, Gobernador Paz 1437, ☎ 02901-430745 (). Free internet access on a 15-year-old computer. Kitchen use until 22:30h. Very thin walls between the rooms. Dorm bed from Ar$34 (member) Ar$ 36 (others).  edit

  • End House, 623 Gobernador J.M. Gomez. Free internet access and breakfast is included. Cheaper rooms are somewhat noisy. Dorm bed from Ar$30 (high season, Jan 2008).  edit

[edit] Mid-range

  • Posada Costa Serena, Av. Roca 129, ☎ (02901) 43-7212 (), [8]. Located just next to Av. San Martin in the middle of town, this posada offers simple accommodation with an excellent position. Free wireless internet access is available in all rooms, 2 computers are available for the use of those without laptops, residents have full use of a kitchen, the room price includes all-day breakfast and snacks (e.g. coffee, cakes) and the managers are very friendly. Rates as of Mar 2007 are 100 pesos for a single and 110 pesos for a double or twin.  edit

  • Tango B&B Ushuaia (), [9]. Offers daily room service, excellent location, seven blocks away from the main street, really exclusive, with warm and drinkable water 24 hours available, free Internet, cable TV in the living room, optional TV in the room, conditioned atmospheres, safe box in front desk, buffet breakfast and the good quality that only the owners/hosts can give you. A Tango show free with the unique view of the Beagle channel and the Islands that surround it. edit

[edit] Splurge

  • Hotel Albatros, Av. Maipú 505, ☎ (02901) 43-7300 (, fax: (02901) 42-3206), [10]. Located on the waterfront near the docks, this hotel offers comfortable (although not particularly fancy) rooms and excellent service. Free wireless internet access is available to all visitors, the room price includes a continental breakfast, and the staff are helpful and speak English. High season rates (as of January 2006) were US$150 for a single or double room, US$175 for a triple, and US$225 for a suite.  edit

[edit] Get out

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!

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