Best Things to do in Ushuaia While Traveling Gluten-Free.

Ushuaia Travel Tips

G-Free Travel Rating

7/10

Major Airport

Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE)

Official Language

Spanish

Currency:

Argentine Peso (ARS)

Power Outlets:

Types C & I

Eating Gluten Free in Ushuaia

As per usual, Kara was able to sniff out some great places to eat gluten free especially Arte Gastronomico which had fantastic options. We probably had 6 meals from there! There were some hiccups especially with language but we muddled our way thru. Ushuaia is small but tourist focused for both cruise ship passengers and hikers.

Our top list of things to do while in Ushuaia

Explore Ushuaia’s Town Center

Despite Ushuaia’s rapidly growing population, most shops and restaurants are still concentrated along a single street, San Martin. The main thoroughfare is just a block from the waterfront, making it an easy and accessible walk for tourists exploring the area. Calle San Martin is the ideal spot to pick up souvenirs or any last minute equipment needed for continuing on your adventure. The local people are extremely pleasant, and we never felt harassed in any of the establishments we visited. We explored many shops in search of wooden Christmas ornaments; wanting to thoroughly review all options before settling on a magnet that would be transformed into an ornament. In one of the last shops we visited, we finally found a wooden ornament! Many stores featured charming penguin sweaters, but I decided not to purchase one due to limited space in our luggage. Plus, I already have sweaters from Peru and Mongolia.

Beyond shopping, Ushuaia offers plenty of places to grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the scenic views, or to find a restaurant and try the local specialty: king crab. Unfortunately, the restaurant where we planned to try king crab had run out, so we missed out on tasting the traditional dish. To be honest, crab isn’t really our cup of tea so we didn’t feel like we missed much.

Extra Excursions

Near the port entrance, you’ll find a small market that pops up when it is nice out. Many vendors advertise different tours of the area. We considered visiting Martillo Island to see the penguins, but after seeing hundreds during our Antarctic trip, we decided that hiking would be a better way to spend our time in Argentina.

Hiking

When we finally decided to book or trip to Antarctica, we knew we wanted to spend some time exploring Argentina as well. One of our favorite ways to experience a new place is by finding a lodge nestled in the mountains and setting out to explore the surrounding area. Although we didn’t do a lot of hiking during our stay, we managed to stretch our legs and take in a variety of breathtaking views. The best part about hiking in the Ushuaia area is that every trail seems to lead to something more wild, remote and utterly untouched at the bottom of South America.

Esmeralda Lagoon

Esmeralda Lagoon was my favorite hike in the area. Every step offers stunning views, and the trail was easy to follow, though I kept the Alltrails app running just in case. Much of the hike winds through heavily wooded terrain, so be prepared for wet footing. It was quite muddy when we visited, but with a slower pace, it is possible to navigate without ending up covered in mud. It was entertaining to see people quickly pass us in the drier sections, only for us to overtake them once the trail got muddy –they oftentimes would change their route and follow us. Sometimes, I just don’t understand peoples’ hiking etiquitte, but I digress. The reward at the end of the trial is the lagoon itself, where we found some rocks to sit, enjoy the view, and snack on cookies Terry had brought from our Antarctic cruise. On our way down, we explored some side trails before catching a taxi back to our lodge.

Now that this hike has become more popular, taxis often wait near the area for hikers needing rides back into town. This hike is a good twenty minute drive outside of Ushuaia with minimal cell service, so make sure you have a transportation plan in place. And hiking poles are available for rent right outside the entrance.

Martial Glacier

Martial Glacier hike is likely the most popular hike in Ushuaia, at least to the where the treeline ends and the landscape transitions into rocky alpine terrain. This change opens up sweeping views of Ushuaia and the Beagle Channel beyond. Lucky for us the entrance was right outside the door of our lodge, so all we had to do was lace up our shoes and start the hike up. The hike is a steady incline with no flat sections, but it definitely gets steeper once you reach the rocky area. Even though it was summer, there wasn’t much wildlife to see– likely because the harsh climate is unsuitable for most plants and animals.

We recommend sturdy hiking shoes for this trail, and if you’re less stable on descents, like myself, bring a hiking pole. The view from the top was spectacular, and locals were enjoying the remaining snow up on the mountain.

Hayas Trail

The entrance to Hayas Trail was close to our lodge – not as close as Martial Glacier, but still within walking distance. We actually missed the entrance several times, not realizing it was right outside the front doors of Las Hayas Resort. Sadly, this wasn’t the first time we have missed a turn off for a trail or entrance.

The trail began as a pleasant gravel path but soon turned muddy, winding among the lenga trees. At this point, we considered turning back, but reaching the first viewpoint convinced us to continue. Along the way, we encountered a bog with such striking colors and peacefulness with it that that ended up being our favorite part of the hike. The final viewpoint gave us a place to sit (on a log) and enjoy more cookies. Yes, Terry did take all of the gluten-free cookies from the ship on the last day of our cruise! After cooling down, we headed back to the lodge for dinner.

End of the World Train

When you are located at the tip of the southernmost point of the world, every activity seems to showcase the uniquenss of the “end of the world.” One of the most popular experiences here is the train ride to Tierra del Fuego National Park. This journey allows you to travel slowly through stunning landscapes while listening to a narrated history of the area. You can disembark at a few stops to take photos, including one location where a waterfall is accessible for a short walk. We completed this as a roundtrip and felt that, due to its tourist-focused nature, it could have been skipped.

Important Tips for Your Visit:

Book tickets ahead of time to secure your preferred departure. This is especially crucial if you are only in Ushuaia for a limited number of hours.
When booking train tickets, you must also purchase tickets for Tierra del Fuego National Park. These are obtained through a separate website dedicated to the national park.
- This requirement applies even if you do not plan to hike or visit other attractions within the park.
The narration during the train ride is provided via headphones and available in your preferred language.
Train seating is quite cramped, so it is best to avoid bringing large bags.

Sign-Hopping

The opportunity to visit Ushuaia is truly a unique experience. Nestled within the Andes Mountains and surrounded by the scenic Beagle channel, Ushuaia offers an exclusive setting for travelers. Its reputation as both the bridge to Antarctica AND “The End of the World” adds to its allure. Although, there is ongoing debate with neighboring Chile regarding which country can claim to be the true “end of the world,” Argentina’s accessibility has helped Ushuaia secure this iconic title. Capturing your visit with a photo is the perfect way to commemorate your location.

The End of the World Sign

Situated near the port, the End of the World Sign is a popular attraction. You will often find a line as many people wish to document this memorable spot.

Ushuaia

Just a short walk along the water from the main port, the Ushuaia waterfront offers a relaxing experience. Along the way, you can pause to observe a shipwreck or simply enjoy the stunning views and refreshing breeze as you make your way to the Ushuaia sign.

Prisoner Statues or Locals dressed up as Prisoners

Ushuaia is known for its infamous prison, once home to some of Argentina’s most feared convicts. The prison was built in this remote location due to its harsh climate and isolation, making escape nearly impossible. Although the facility is no longer operational, it remains a popular museum. You can learn more about this fascinating aspect of Ushuaia’s history through exhibits and displays. You may even see locals walking around town willing to pose for a picture with you.

Finding Gluten-Free (Sin Tacc) Restaurants

MarcoPolo Freelife

When we first arrived in Ushuaia, before departing for Antarctica, we had a couple of hours to spare, so we decided to stop in for some coffee and a quick bite to eat. After the early morning flight from Bueno Aires, we were ready for a pick-me-up. The coffee was very good, and they were able to prepare a drink that Terry liked, which is not always easy since he doesn’t enjoy the flavor of coffee. We also ordered a couple of delicious empanadas. The menu featured a separate section for gluten-free items, and the hostess was knowledgeable about these options once we were able to clarify our needs. Interestingly, communicating about gluten-free foods was simpler than discussing the various types of milk for the coffee.

Arte Gastronómico

Found this little gem on the FindMe Gluten-Free App and boy did it not disappoint. This small bakery is entirely dedicated to gluten-free products. Once Terry confirmed that everything was gluten-free, he fired away. We purchased a wide variety of desserts and empanadas. The baker even offered Terry some bread to try. While communication was somehwhat challenging due to our limited Spanish, GoogleTranslate was very helpful in identifying the different desserts. We enjoyed this bakery so much that we visited it at least twice during our stay.

Paso Garibaldi

Much like Buenos Aires, we found that most locals in Ushuaia prefer to eat later in the evening, and many restaurants do not open until 7 or 7:30 p.m. Paso Garibaldi was among these, and reservations are recommended so we reserved a table for right when they opened. Since the online menu did not indicate gluten-free options, I contacted them via Whatsapp to confirm that gluten-free accommodations were available. Although the gluten-free choices were limited, Terry was able to try grilled provolone and risotto with spider crab, both of which he really liked. The provolone was quite substantial, so it’s best shared with someone who also loves cheese. And, that is not me. This is where I was going to try the king crab, but it was sold out. It is worth noting that the menu changes frequently, and the online menu may not be current. The waitress was friendly, knowledgeable, and even provided us with an English menu.

La Cabaña Casa de Té

This venue was conveniently located at our lodge, allowing us to grab breakfast there. Although the gluten-free selection was not extensive, there were a few options available. We also discovered some baked goods, but only on our last day. Previous mornings, we had purchased bread from the grocery store to prepare a quick breakfast at the lodge before heading out for our hikes while Terry had baked goods from Arte Gastronomico.

La Cabaña Beer Point

This was mainly for me, as I was craving a hamburger. Fortunately, the hostess confirmed they offered gluten-free buns and the French fries were safe. This was especially convenient because our original choice, Refugio de Montaña, was out of gluten-free options, and we didn’t want to take an Uber into town. We took advantage of the French fries a couple of times.

Delceliaco

Located just off a side street near the main thoroughfare, Delceliaco is a small grocery store specializing in gluten-free products. Although we did not purchase anything here—having found everything we needed at a regular grocery store—Terry thoroughly explored the store in case he sniffed out something unique.