City in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Ushuaia
End-of-the-world port city between the Beagle Channel and snowy peaks, base for Tierra del Fuego park, penguin boat trips and Antarctica cruises. Costs are high and weather is cold and windy even in summer.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,250–1,970Comfortable, one person · $1.9M–3MDetails
- Value for money61/100Better value than 60% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goDec–MarWarmest: Feb, 12°CDetails
- Internet137 MbpsFixed broadband, Argentina medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is treated and drinkable.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$26–62Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundLocal busesWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards work in hotels, restaurants and tour offices; cash for small cafés, taxis and kiosks.Details
Where to stay in Ushuaia
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Centro (San Martín Street) | First-timers: tours, restaurants and the port within walking distance |
| Martial Glacier road | Quieter stays near hiking, cabins and lodges; needs taxi |
| Costanera and Bahía Encerrada | Water views, hotels and sunset walks |
Apps that work in Ushuaia
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| PedidosYa | Restaurants in Centro; limited late-night choice |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Plataforma 10: Book long-distance bus tickets
- SUBE: Transit card for buses, Subte and trains
- Taxis: No ride-hailing apps; taxis are metered and affordable, and hotels book drivers. Radio taxis are best on cold nights.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Argentina.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards work in hotels, restaurants and tour offices; cash for small cafés, taxis and kiosks. ATMs can run empty in cruise season.
- Currency: Peso (ARS). US$1 ≈ $1,523.09 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Banelco and Link ATMs take foreign cards but charge a high flat fee per withdrawal with low limits.
- Tipping: Leave about 10% in restaurants, ideally in cash; the 'cubierto' cover charge isn't a tip. Rounding up is enough for taxis.
- Paying by phone: Contactless cards and phone wallets work at most terminals; Mercado Pago QR codes need a local account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- No arrival card or reciprocity fee for most visitors; immigration records your entry electronically.
- Some visa-required nationals holding a valid US visa can apply online for an electronic travel authorization (AVE).
- Extend your stay at a Migraciones office before it expires; overstays are fined at exit.
Emergency numbers
Police 911 · Ambulance 107 · Fire 100
Plugs
Type C, I · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Personal, Claro and Movistar sell cheap prepaid chips in their shops with a passport; activation can be fiddly, so international eSIMs are easier. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Argentina
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.