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Ushuaia, The World’s Most Southern City

Ushuaia, Provincia de Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur, Argentina

Monte Olivia Ushuaia with Clouds

Argentina // Tierra del Fuego Argentina Location: [post_gps_latitude], [post_gps_longitude]

This little town is surround on three sides from the snow-covered peaks of the Tierra del Fuego. Most dramatic of all of the mountains is the dramatic ruggedness of Monte Olivia. On the other side is the Beagle Channel, named after the ship Charles Darwin used for his expedition to the Galapagos Islands. Before the Panama Canal was built, it was one of only two protected passages connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (the other was the Straits of Magellan that passes Punta Arenas). Before those were explored and charted, the only other way around was to go below Cape Horn and brave the notoriously wild conditions of Drake Passage and the Great Southern Ocean.

Ushuaia is about as far south as you can go without getting on a boat or plane. And that’s precisely what brings most people to the town these days. Years ago it was known for its prison and its naval base. The naval base is still there–although it’s not huge–but the prison has long since been converted into a museum.

Now the town’s main industry is tourism. While the region definitely has charms of its own, and serves as a jumping off point for hiking in the Tierra del Fuego and even offers skiing resorts nearby, Ushuaia is best known as a gateway to Antarctica. Many of the ships that head down to the Antarctic Peninsula during the southern summer depart from the docks right next to the center of town.

The town is small and much of it is geared toward tourism, with several small hotels, some basic restaurants, and even some small casinos. There are several shops selling outdoor gear and even more selling souvenirs. Aside from those, the only real respite if the wind picks up and the cold sets in is the impressive Maritime Museum and Presidio on the eastern end of town next to the naval base. But if the weather’s nice, the waterfront makes for a pleasant stroll, with the charming wreck of the Saint Christopher lilting in the harbor as both a monument to Ushuaia’s maritime history and a reminder of the perils of the ocean, as well as an impressive new war memorial dedicated to the Guerra de las Malvinas (known to the British as the Falklands War).

If you’re not arriving by boat, there is an airport. Of you can take the scenic route by driving the nearly 1,900 miles down Argentina’s National Route 3 from Buenos Aires, which comes to and end on Ushuaia’s waterfront. Or if you’re really set for a drive, you can start even higher, and start in Colombia along the Pan-American Highway.

Photos of Ushuaia

National Route 3 Endpoint in Ushuaia, Argentina

Ruta Nacional 3 actually ends a few miles to the west of downtown Ushuaia, but for all intents and purposes Ushuaia marks the end of the very long highway that runs over 3,000 kms up to Buenos Aires. Photo by David Coleman

Wreck of Saint Christopher in Port Ushuaia Argentina

Wreck of the Saint Christopher. Photo by David Coleman

Ushuaia and its Mountains at Dusk

Even in the middle of summer there’s plenty of snow on the mountains that surround Ushuaia. Photo by David Coleman

Stella Australis Cruise Ship in Ushuaia Argentina

Photo by David Coleman

Elevated View Over Ushuaia, Argentina

Looking east, with the mountain range including Monte Olivia (the sharp peak to the left of the frame). Photo by David Coleman

Puerto de Ushuaia View

Photo by David Coleman

Ushuaia Port Welcome Sign

Photo by David Coleman

Street and Moutnains in Downtown Ushuaia Argentina

Photo by David Coleman

Local History Mural in Ushuaia, Argentina

Photo by David Coleman

Falklands War Memorial (Guerra de las Malvinas) in Ushuaia, Argentina

Photo by David Coleman

Shipping Port at Ushuaia, Argentina

Photo by David Coleman

Ushuaia Town Buildings

Photo by David Coleman

Adrien de Gerlache Statue in Ushuaia Argentina

Adrien de Gerlache monument. He was an officer in the Belgian Royal Navy who led the Belgian Antarctic Expedition of 1897–1899. Photo by David Coleman

Ushuaia Tourism Offices

Photo by David Coleman

Argentinian Navy Plane Monument

Argentinian Navy Plane Monument next to Ushuaia’s airport. Photo by David Coleman

Navy Memorial and Argentine Navy Boat ARA Towwora

Navy Memorial and Argentine Navy Boat ARA Towwora. Photo by David Coleman

Beagle Channel at Dusk with Heavy Clouds

The Beagle Channel at dusk. Photo by David Coleman

Craft Market in Ushuaia, Argentina

A arts and craft market for tourists down near the waterfront (ie. near where the tourism ships pull in). Photo by David Coleman

Puerto Ushuaia Sign

Photo by David Coleman

Mountains and Clouds of Ushuaia Argentina

Photo by David Coleman

What to Know Before You Go

Where to Next?

  • Historic Prison at the Maritime Museum of Ushuaia Argentina
    Ushuaia's Maritime Museum
  • Models of Fishing Boats at the Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum) in Lisbon Portugal
    Portugal's Maritime History Museum
  • Seafaring Culture Exhibit at the Maritime Museum of Denmark
    Maritime Museum of Denmark
  • Streets of Historic Casco Viejo, Panama City, Panama
    Panama City's Casco Viejo
  • Maple Syrup Taffy Lollipops being made in Quebec City's Rue du Petit-Champlain at night at Christmas
    Winter Charms of Old Quebec City
  • Great Court of the British Museum in London
    The British Museum
  • Ho Chi Minh City Hall in Saigon at Night
    Ho Chi Minh City Hall
  • Istanbul Naval Museum
    Istanbul Naval Museum
  • Catedral Metropolitana on Parque Central in Guatemala City
    Guatemala City's Zona 1

David Coleman Photography

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.


Location: Ushuaia
Country: Argentina
Coordinates:
      Latitude: -54.80758328
      Longitude: -68.30426214

      # Tierra del Fuego Argentina


About David Coleman

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living.

I’m based in Washington, DC.

You can find my photography gear reviews and tips at havecamerawilltravel.com/photographer.

David Coleman Photography

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

Licensing & Prints

Looking for travel stock photos or prints? I might be able to help. You can search my collection here:

If you already have a buyer account with Alamy and would prefer to use that, you can search my images directly here.

Get in Touch

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Photos by David Coleman. Please contact me for licensing images.
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