Ushuaia Argentina, southern-most city in the worldQ (Ushuaia)

Member Name: llamass

Product:	Ushuaia
Date:	24/05/09 (11 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Pretty setting, 'being' at the end of the world

Disadvantages: Long way south to travel, expensive

Ushuaia is most famous for being the southern-most city in the world, a mere 1000 kilometres from Antarctica, and is found in Argentina on Tierra del Fuego. Although a hugely overused phrase by Argentinian tourism boards, this really is the end of the world.

Reaching Ushuaia is simple enough with bus connections from southern Chile and Argentina. The ride is long (around 12 hours or more) from most of the nearest towns and largely over bleak, flat scenery but this makes the final stretch as ushuaia itself is approached all the more spectacular. Mountain peaks begin to rise up and lakes and wildlife prevail until the final descent into the town which is nestled between the Beagle Channel and the craggy mountain peaks.

The biggest attraction of Ushuaia is simply being at the southern most point in the world. You can even go to the tourist office and get your passport stamped to prove that you actually made it down here. The town is pleasant and the setting spectacular so a walk around the streets and harbour is an attraction in itself.

However, the town also has activities to keep the tourist here for more than just that passport stamp. There are a few small museums including the Museo del Fin del Mundo (museum of the end of the world) which offers a look at the original indigenous inhabitants of Tierra del Fuego and the history of the area in general. Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego is a spectacular national park and the true end of the world-this is where the road stops. There is a tourist train that goes from the city but it is often booked out by tours and is expensive. Regular buses also take people to the park. There are many trekking opportunities both in the national park and in the area surrounding Ushuaia as a whole. Boat tours are available in the Beagle Channel and to further afield as well as this being the most common setting off point for Antarctica trips.

Being far in the south means that Ushuaia gets extremely cold in winter (that's the summer for northern hemisphere folks!) and trekking becomes far more difficult-quality gear would be necessary. In the summer, Dec-march, flights and accommodation is taken up fast so it is worth booking ahead.

Summary: Touristy destination but charming and lots to do