Explore the End of the World in Ushuaia, Argentina
If you hop on the Pan-American Highway at the road’s origin in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, and drive 18,640 miles all the way to the end, you will find yourself in the magnificently beautiful city of Ushuaia. Located in Argentina‘s rugged Patagonia region, Ushuaia is often referred to as the ‘End of the World’ and the ‘Gateway to Antarctica,’ as it is the closest city to the world’s coldest and most remote continent.
Ushuaia is a charming city surrounded by breathtakingly beautiful scenery. Booking a room at the Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa isn’t the cheapest option, but the resort does offer a panoramic view of Ushuaia Bay, towering mountains, and sparkling glaciers. The eco-friendly resort features geothermal air conditioning and rooms decorated with materials commonly used by Argentina’s indigenous population, such as copper and leather. Guests also have access to scenic hiking trails that allow travelers to immerse themselves in Ushuaia’s spellbinding beauty.
Photo by depositphotos.com
If you’re a nature lover, hiking to Laguna Esmeralda is an absolute must. Visitors can catch a bus from the Tourist Information Center in Ushuaia to the Laguna Esmeralda trailhead. Laguna Esmeralda is a moderately strenuous hike that is well worth the effort. The trail winds through stately forests, peat bogs, and gorgeous meadows that are punctuated by turquoise streams. The grand finale is a jewel-toned lake flanked by the majestic Ojo del Albino Glacier. It generally takes about 5 hours to hike to Laguna Esmeralda, or 2.5 hours each way. For optimal comfort, be sure to pack plenty of water and snacks and wear sturdy shoes.
Photo by depositphotos.com
No trip to Ushuaia is complete without a visit to a penguin colony. Travelers can take a boat tour of the Beagle Channel—which is named in honor of biologist Charles Darwin’s research vessel—that stops at Isla Martillo. The small island is home to a multitude of friendly penguins. Visitors can walk among the penguins and take photos of them.
Photo by depositphotos.com
The logical endpoint of any exploration of the End of the World is Bahia Lapataia, which marks the end of the Pan-American Highway. Once you reach a sign that signals the official end of the road, you can follow a winding boardwalk that offers a sweeping view of a sapphire blue fjord that is ringed by snow-capped mountains.
Photo by depositphotos.com
Ushuaia is a strikingly beautiful city that never fails to thrill travelers who are intent on exploring the world’s most remote, rugged, and mesmerizing places.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Ushuaia and nearby Tierra del Fuego sites, Argentina; multi-stop guide including Laguna Esmeralda, Beagle Channel and Tierra del Fuego National Park
- Access
- The article is a multi-stop itinerary, not one attraction. Ushuaia’s tourism office places the Laguna Esmeralda trailhead 18 km from town; the 9-km return hike is a separate outing. Tierra del Fuego National Park is about 12 km from town, with road access and scheduled transfers from Fadul and Maipú to seven park stops. Beagle Channel boat trips leave on operator timetables. Check current road, trail and excursion conditions before departure.
- Admission
- There is no shared city-wide admission ticket. As of June 1, 2026, Argentina’s National Parks Administration lists Tierra del Fuego National Park’s daily general ticket at ARS 40,000; national residents ARS 18,000, provincial residents ARS 8,000 and students ARS 12,000. This is the park entry charge only; boat excursions, transport and other attractions are separate. Recheck the official tariff before travel because prices can change.
- Time needed
- Allow a full day for the national park or the Laguna Esmeralda hike, not both as a rushed add-on: the municipal tourism office estimates 4–5 hours for the 9-km Laguna Esmeralda return trek. The park has several independent trail options, including 30-minute walks and longer routes, so a multi-stop visit can take longer. Boat excursions require their own scheduled block.
- Best season
- Late spring and summer (roughly November–April) provide access to more of the park’s longer trails: the park authority lists several routes as seasonal, while some shorter trails remain open year-round. Snow, wind and rapid weather changes can affect safe access; check daily alerts and the specific trail’s status. Whale/penguin boat trips follow separate wildlife and operator seasons.
- Opening hours
- Tierra del Fuego National Park lists daily entry from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Trail availability is not uniform: some routes are open year-round, while Hito XXIV, Cerro Guanaco and other trails have seasonal windows and specific latest-entry times. The city, museums, restaurants and Beagle Channel operators have separate schedules; verify each stop.
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-01
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