Experience Ushuaia like a local with our budget-friendly guide, which includes a homestay with a local family and tours of the city's stunning natural landscapes!

Cruce Bahía Azul

Porvenir

Rio Gallegos

Ushuaia

Ushuaia on a Budget: A Guide for Lonely Travelers and Backpackers

Our journey begins with a small and quiet little stop in the southern part of Patagonia.

In order to save money on your way down to Tierra Del Fuego (Land Of Fire) you will have to stop on your way in Rio Gallegos.

This stop, and specifically the YPF gas station, might provide you the opportunity to find a truck driver that will agree to take you all the way down to Ushuaia.

As I wrote at the beginning, another option is to take a bus - a safe but not cheap solution.

If your where brave enough to climb up to the cabin and hitchhike with a "Camionero", just remember you have to be aware of three important things during your journey:

3. Crossing the border again to Argentina, make sure you cross it on the opening hours of the checkpoint's gate. if not, you might need to sleep close to the border in a tent, or, if you are lucky, in the truck with your host - but I would not count on it.

1. Crossing the border to Chile - you need all your papers and equipment to complete this process.

2. Crossing the Magallans cannel on the back of a ferry, will take you to "Cruce Bahia Azul". 

This episode is focused on the cheapest and most beautiful nature pieces you should not skip during your time in Ushuaia.

4. So by now we made it to the Argentinian side of "La Tierra Del Fuego".

Look, this first part, until we get to Ushuaia, is an interesting and very special journey, but its a little adventurous, and is not for every one. If you don't want to take risks on your way down south and you don't mind paying for a ticket - take a bus or a plain that you can easily find on the internet or the nearby travel-agency.

Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, offers many budget-friendly activities. Visit the Museo del Fin del Mundo to learn about the region's history, hike to the Martial Glacier for stunning views or see the ocean from the port or from 'Bahia Cucharita'.

If you want to try the local cordero (lamb) dish in Ushuaia, there are several restaurants that serve it. One of the most recommended places is "Kaupe" which offers a wide variety of lamb dishes, including grilled lamb chops and slow-cooked lamb stew. Another great option is "La Estancia" which also offers a range of lamb dishes.

Laura's hostel/house is a small and very nice place to stay, and she offers her kitchen and house services only for a small amount of people at a time, which makes the mutual space much more comfortable.

Rather than that, Laura and her family are looking forward to meet travellers with interesting stories from all over the world, and are down to hang out and recommend you about cool activities around Ushuaia.

There are more bonuses you can enjoy from by staying in Laura's place:

3. Practice your Spanish and learn about life here from locals.

In terms of free tours, Ushuaia offers several options to explore the city without breaking the bank. One popular choice is the "Free Walking Tour Ushuaia," which covers the city's history, architecture, and culture.

As for local bars, head to Dublin Pub or Ramos Generales for a laid-back atmosphere and affordable drinks.

For coffee lovers, try Tante Sara Café or Ana & Juana for delicious brews and cozy vibes. Both spots are great for people watching and soaking up the local scene.

Another nice place is the 'Laguna. Cafe de Barrio', a walking distance from Laura's place, this coffee located right by the Laguna Del Diablo, let yourself walk there one day and judge yourself.

Day 1 - Laguna Esmeralda and the glacier  Ojo Del Albino:

A day trip to Laguna Esmeralda is a must-do when visiting Ushuaia. You can take a taxi or rent a car, but if you ask Laura, she might take you there for a much cheaper price. The hike to the lake takes around 3 hours and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and forests. For those who have more time, and feel adventurous, adding a visit to Ojo del Albino is a great option. The road up there is a little more difficult, so check the weather and download the road map before you hit the road. On your way back - you can hitchhike to the city!

The Laguna de los Témpanos hike is located in Tierra del Fuego National Park, which is about 12 km from Ushuaia.

The trail offers stunning views of the Beagle Channel and passes through dense forests, peat bogs, and alpine landscapes. The highlight of the hike is the turquoise-colored Laguna de los Témpanos, which is surrounded by glaciers and snow-capped mountains. The trail is considered moderate in difficulty and takes around 4-5 hours round trip, covering a distance of approximately 8 km. The cheapest way to get to the trailhead is to take the local bus that runs between Ushuaia and the national park. The bus leaves from the central bus station in Ushuaia, and the fare is around 500 Argentine pesos (as of 2023) for a round-trip ticket. You can also try to hitchhike to the starting and ending point, right in front of Cabaña del Glaciar, that is also the place to take the free tourist bus back to the city:

Day 2 - Paso de la Oveja (Laguna Del Caminante and The Cave Of Jimbo):

The Paso De La Oveja hike is a challenging but rewarding trek that can be completed in a day. The starting point is exactly the same one of the Laguna de los Témpanos, so you can get there the same way.

Yes, just like this! asking nice people that have come from far away on a boring  & lonely ride: "is it OK to join you for the rest of your way?" and hitchhike ("hacer dedo" in Spanish) with them. It worked for me...

Many drivers will take you down to Ushuaia city, but if not - you can ask your driver to get off in Rio Grande’s gas station, and hitchhike all the way to Ushuaia!

If you came to read this guide, I bet you are looking for a low budget option. Therefor you came to the right place!

For those who want to take their time and fully enjoy the Paso De La Oveja hike, a two-day trip is recommended.

The first day involves a 4-5 hour hike to the base of Paso De La Oveja, where hikers can set up camp and rest for the night. It is located right by the Laguna Del Caminante.The second day involves a challenging ascent to the summit, including the beautiful cave of Jimbo and takes around 5-6 hours round trip. 

Both roads end up by Luis Lavado street, and from there you can hitchhike back home, or of course order a taxi.

Thank you for choosing this travel guide for your Ushuaia adventure!

I hope the recommendations will help you make the most of your trip, save a little money and create unforgettable memories.

The road you will see in this guide is basically the "free option", and is exiting and full of experiences but it is of course a bit more "extreme”. If that is not what you've been looking for - you can skip this first part and start reading the guide from its second part: "Ushuaia - Here We Are".

Both restaurants have a cozy and rustic atmosphere, making for a great dining experience.

Please note that while we have taken every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information in this guide, travel can be unpredictable and circumstances can change.

Especially, be aware that hitchhiking can be a risky activity and should be undertaken with caution and any decision to do so is solely at your own risk. 

It is ultimately your responsibility to conduct your own research and make informed decisions about your travel plans.

We cannot be held responsible for any unforeseen circumstances or events that may occur during your trip.

Please take necessary precautions, adhere to local regulations, and respect the natural environment and local culture while traveling in Ushuaia.

It is important to exercise good judgement, take necessary precautions, and prioritize your safety at all times while traveling. 

Please also note that every decision you make during your travels, including transportation, accommodations, and activities, is your own responsibility. 

We cannot be held liable for any negative consequences that may result from decisions you make while using this guide.

2. Cheap transport solutions - Laura can give you a much cheaper ride, wherever around, sometimes half the price of the local taxi or a touristic shuttle.

The hike covers a distance of approximately 20 km round trip and takes around 8-10 hours to complete. The trail offers stunning views of the Andes Mountains, glaciers, and forests.

On your way you should stop by to see the Laguna del Caminante and the cave of Jimbo (but do not enter! it's dangerous).

Ushuaia on a Budget: A Guide for Lonely Travelers and Backpackers

Buy to unlock full guide