When is the Best Time to Visit Ushuaia, Argentina?

Wondering when is the best time to visit Ushuaia, Argentina? Here are the pros and cons of each season and seasonal events to keep an eye on.

Reaching the City at the End of the World is quite the endeavour, so if you’re going to go through all the effort of getting there, you probably want to choose the best time to visit.

The great thing about Ushuaia is that it’s a versatile destination that offers unique tours and adventures throughout the year.

Summer is great for cruising the Beagle Channel and spotting sea lions, autumn brings fiery landscapes that charm hikers, winter is the time to hit the slopes at Cerro Castor, and spring brings Tierra del Fuego National Park to life again with wildflowers and active wildlife.

Like most travellers to Ushuaia, I chose to visit during the summer months in order to make the most of the long days and good weather. I also wanted to ring in the New Year in the southernmost city in the world, but that proved to be a bit anticlimactic as there isn’t a whole lot going on unless you want to go to a bar!

That’s why today I’m breaking down the pros and cons of visiting Ushuaia in each season, along with activities and events you may want to include in your plans!

Best Time to Visit Ushuaia, Argentina

Summer in Ushuaia

(December to February)

Pros of summer in Ushuaia

Summer is the most popular time of year to visit Ushuaia with tourists descending on the city at the End of the World by the thousands.

The pros of visiting Ushuaia in the summer are the long days where you can enjoy up to 18 hours of daylight! We found it a bit strange not experiencing darkness; we went to sleep before sunset and woke up long after sunrise. But on the bright side – quite literally! – it means you can maximize your days and squeeze in different tours and excursions.

Weatherwise, the summer temperatures in Ushuaia range from 8–20°C (46–68°F) making it a really nice time to enjoy outdoor activities.

We did quite a bit of hiking in Tierra del Fuego National Park during our summer visit. One of our highlights was hiking the Senda Costera or Coastal Trail, which starts next to the Post Office at the End of the World (where you can send a postcard!) and then follows the shores of the Beagle Channel.

There are lots of different tours you can enjoy inside Tierra del Fuego National Park, so don’t think you’re just limited to hiking. There’s also canoeing, birdwatching, and the famous End of the World train ride.

Plus, there are numerous hikes to enjoy in and around Ushuaia like Laguna Esmeralda and Vinciguerra Glacier, just to name a couple.

Another activity we thoroughly enjoyed was going on a Beagle Channel boat tour where we got to see sea lions, sea birds and Magellanic penguins! We also cruised past Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse, which is another iconic photo op.

If your schedule is flexible, summer is generally considered the best time to visit Ushuaia.

Summer is the peak season for cruises to Antarctica, so if you’re planning to combine your visit to Ushuaia with a cruise to the White Continent, then summer is the best time to do so. If that’s the case and you only have a few days to enjoy the city, you may find this 3-day Ushuaia travel itinerary helpful.

Cons of summer in Ushuaia

The downside of visiting Ushuaia in the summertime is that it is peak tourist season. This means it’s important you book your accommodations and tours in advance as certain experiences can sell out.

If you want to stay at a particular property – Ushuaia has some beautiful luxury hotels! – you’ll want to reserve that in advance. The same goes for the boat tours that visit Isla Martillo to walk with penguins as only a small number of visitors are permitted per day.

The higher demand for tours and accommodations can also result in slightly higher prices than in the shoulder season, however, we still found it to be reasonably priced for such a remote corner of the world.

Lastly, I think it’s worth noting that even during the summer months, the weather in Ushuaia can be quite temperamental – as it is across Patagonia. We visited during December and January and experienced everything from sunshine to intense winds and freezing rain. You still need to pack for a sub-Antarctic climate!

Recommended Summer Activity in Ushuaia:

🐧 Hop aboard a Beagle Channel cruise with mini trekking. You’ll see penguins and sea lions and cruise past the famous Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse. You’ll then disembark at Bridges Islands for a walk and talk about local wildlife and the Yámana people.

Autumn in Ushuaia

(March to May)

Pros of Autumn in Ushuaia

Autumn in Ushuaia brings vibrant colours as the forests turn all shades of crimson, pumpkin and gold. This is the time of year that draws photographers looking to capture the changing Fuegian landscapes.

The weather starts to cool down ranging from 5–10°C (41–50°F), however, it’s still a very comfortable temperature for hiking and enjoying the outdoors.

Some hikes to consider for peeping autumn colours include Laguna Esmeralda, Martial Glacier, and many of the trails in Tierra del Fuego National Park which remain accessible through mid-autumn until the snow arrives.

Alternatively, you can admire the autumn foliage on a helicopter flight over Ushuaia, or you can also take in the landscapes while cruising the waters of the Beagle Channel.

Another pro of visiting Ushuaia in autumn is that it’s the shoulder season. This means it is quieter with fewer tourists and you can expect to see prices drop for accommodations and tours.

Cons of Autumn in Ushuaia

There aren’t too many downsides to visiting Ushuaia in autumn. Sudden rain and cooler spells can occur, but you can always save these days for indoor activities like visiting the Old Ushuaia Prison, going on a double-decker bus tour, or enjoying a taste of Fuegian cuisine.

Recommended autumn activity in Ushuaia:

🍂 Join a 4×4 tour of Paso Garibaldi, a mountain pass across the Fuegian Andes where you’ll enjoy the autumn foliage. You’ll see Lake Escondido, Lake Fagnano, and finish the excursion with a traditional Argentine barbecue.

Winter in Ushuaia

(June to August)

Pros of Winter in Ushuaia

Winter in Ushuaia is something straight out of a postcard. This is when the City at the End of the World transforms into a wintry wonderland with snow-covered mountains and forests.

During this time of year, you can enjoy an abundance of outdoor sports like snowshoeing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, and ice trekking. This is the best time to go to Ushuaia for all things related to outdoor winter fun!

Ushuaia is home to Cerro Castor, Argentina’s southernmost ski resort, offering downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and even an ice skating rink.

There are two fun winter events at Cerro Castor: the Snow Pool where skiers and snowboarders slide down a slope and then attempt to glide over a pool of water, and the Torch Descent where skiers and snowboarders descend the mountain with torches putting on a show for spectators.

Finally, we can’t forget about Fiesta Nacional de La Noche Más Larga, or The Longest Night Festival, which celebrates the winter solstice with live music, dancing, and a variety of activities that take place across the city.

Cons of Winter in Ushuaia

The downside of winter in Ushuaia is that it will be cold. However, if you’re visiting from Canada or the Nordic countries, you won’t actually find it that cold! You might even say it’s a mild winter.

The temperatures hover around -2 to 5°C (28–41°F), though it can feel colder with the wind chill and Ushuaia does experience strong winds.

Another downside of winter travel in Ushuaia is that certain hiking trails in Tierra del Fuego National Park and the surrounding area will be closed due to ice and snow. However, you can enjoy some of the landscapes in the park by riding the Train at the End of the World, also known as the Southern Fuegian Railway.

The days will be a lot shorter with around 6-8 daylight hours depending on the month you visit.

Recommended Winter Activity in Ushuaia:

🚂 Ride the End of the World Train and enjoy the snowy landscape while you learn about Ushuaia’s origins as a penal colony.

Spring in Ushuaia

(September to November)

Pros of Spring in Ushuaia

The springtime weather is still relatively cool with daytime temperatures ranging from 5–12°C (41–54°F).

If you visit in early spring, you might still be able to enjoy a bit of skiing or snowboarding on Cerro Castor!

As springtime arrives in Ushuaia, the snow melts, the trails in Tierra del Fuego National Park become more accessible and wildlife becomes more active. That means plenty of opportunities to spot sea birds, penguins, and seals!

Because spring is shoulder season, that means there are fewer tourists around, which also translates to better prices on both accommodations and tours.

Cons of spring in Ushuaia

One of the cons of spring travel in Ushuaia is that the weather can be a bit unpredictable bringing a mixture of sudden rain, strong winds and even lingering snow.

This means you have to be flexible with your plans and you should save a few indoor activities for inclement weather days. One of the lessons we learned during our trip to Ushuaia was that not every day will be a hiking day!

Another thing to consider is that during the early spring season, some trails may still be muddy or partially closed.

Recommended Spring Activity in Ushuaia:

🌷Go on a small group guided hike to Laguna Esmeralda known for its green-turquoise colour. This tour includes a complimentary boxed lunch.

So when should you visit Ushuaia?

As you can see, the best time to visit Ushuaia greatly depends on the types of activities you want to enjoy and each season brings its own pros and cons.

Summer is for hiking, seeing penguins, and embarking on Antarctic expeditions. Winter is all about snow sports and some unique events. Meanwhile, spring and autumn bring fewer tourists, lower prices and stunning landscapes.

One thing is for certain, there is no shortage of options whatever season you choose!

So, if you’re ready to start planning your trip, here’s some information on different ways to get to Ushuaia, and here’s a complete travel guide to the southernmost city so you can get some ideas of things to do once you get here.