Where to go

Tierra del Fuego

The end of the earth, the land of fire...

Tierra del Fuego
Tierra del Fuego

Set at the end of the Earth, the Tierra del Fuego, or “Land of Fire”, has always captured the imaginations of those that have visited. Set right on the Beagle Channel, Ushuaia, one of the two important towns in the province, is steeped in the history of adventurers and pirates who used it as a means of rounding the Horn. Today, the town is used as a base for Antarctic expeditions and as an adventure playground for those looking for an active holiday in Argentina.

Ushuaia is certainly the most important destinations in the province and has seen an expansion in population in the last 10 years or so. While you would think this might be due to the growing tourist trade in Argentina, it was more due to the tax free status it currently enjoys, encouraging workers from across Argentina to come and work for the respectively higher wages.

Historically, Ushuaia has had a fairly interesting and varied past, with British missionaries first arriving in around 1870 and trying to convert the local Yamana population. Darwin too, spent time meandering through its many waterways searching for scientific meaning, as well as, as the nearby Drake Passage suggests, the infamous pirate, Sir Francis Drake.

Today Ushuaia and the nearby Rio Grande (a Mecca for fly fishermen) is know as the basing point for all things Antarctic, along with being a playground for those interested in the outdoors. Geographically the lie of the land is such that, to the west, there lies the National Park of the Tierra del Fuego and the border with Chile (for walking), the mountains of the Andes to the north (for skiing), and the Beagle Channel to the south (for kayaking and penguin viewing).

From October until April this region of Argentina comes alive with walkers, kayakers etc, all making the most of the good weather and easy accessibility. On top of this, this is a window of opportunity for the many Antarctic boats that have come down to the area for the summer. As the weather changes once more, the wooden glades are transformed into some of the best southern hemisphere skiing around.

Best time to visit the Tierra del Fuego:

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    At a glance…The Tierra del Fuego

  • Size: 48,000 sq km
  • Location: Southern Argentina
  • Recommended time: 2 to 4 nights
  • Time to visit: September to April
  • Go here for: Nature and skiing
  • Further reading...

  • › Fly Fishing
  • › Nature and wildlife
  • › Skiing
  • Our recommended top hotels and lodges for Tierra del Fuego:

    1. Arakur Ushuaia Hotel & Spa - Outside view

      Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa

      There is no doubt that when the Arakur Hotel was conceived, it was to ruffle the feathers of the other high end properties of the region and to try and challenge the Alpine style of the competition. The imposing granite and copper structure sits atop the hills at the edge of town, looking down... More...

      Our rating:
      5
      User rating:
      4
      Price:
      5
    2. Los Cauquenes Resort & Spa - Location

      Los Cauquenes Resort & Spa

      Located at around 5 minutes drive out of the town, Los Cauquenes Resort & Spa is one of two fantastic hotels in the area. Designed along the lines of a ski chalet, using plenty of warm yellow Lenga wood in its construction, the hotel offers a great variety of food, activities and overall luxury... More...

      Our rating:
      5
      User rating:
      4
      Price:
      4
    3. Hotel Las Lengas - Exterior View

      Las Lengas Hotel

      A sister property to the Albatros, Las Lengas Hotel has recently had a refurbishment and so has the look and feel of a contemporary hotel as you walk in. The best feature of the hotel is the view from the dining area. The rooms are fairly simple and, in our view, could be seen as being a bit small... More...

      Our rating:
      4
      User rating:
      3
      Price:
      2
    4. Cilene del Faro

      Cilene del Faro

      Located right at the end of the Avenida St Martin, the main street in the town, the Cilene del Faro could not be better placed for those looking to take in a bit of the local ambience. The rooms for the hotels are fairly simple inside, but on one side offer great views out to the Beagle Channel and... More...

      Our rating:
      3
      User rating:
      3
      Price:
      3
    5. Macondo House - Fireplace

      Macondo House

      A small guest house, located on the hill that overlooks the town, the Macondo House is, very much, a smaller and more intimate property than many of the others in town. Only featuring 7 rooms, some with view and some without, the guest house focuses on personal service. At a good price, it is... More...

      Our rating:
      3
      User rating:
      3
      Price:
      2

    Our recommended top travel itineraries for Tierra del Fuego: