Where it is and who lives there

Puerto Almanza sits on the southern shore of Tierra del Fuego, 75 km from Ushuaia. According to local media — 33 permanent residents. The first civilian settlers appeared in the 1990s, a permanent fishing community — since 2001.

The village is named after the Argentine warship ARA Almanza, which served on the Beagle Channel in the early 20th century. There's no central water supply — water comes from the Almanza river. There's a school for 11 kids.

Centolla crab

Almanza is one of the main fishing ports for centolla (Lithodes santolla), the Patagonian king crab. The village produces a significant share of the seafood consumed in the province. They also catch southern king crab (Paralomis granulosa), mussels, sea urchins, octopus.

Centolla fishing season: July — February. Veda (fishing ban): March — June. Best months for meat — November, December, January.

Where to eat

In the village and surroundings — about eight restaurants. All work only for lunch (12:00–17:00), booking mandatory, cash or bank transfer only.

La Mesita de Almanza — pioneer of local cuisine (since 2014). Host Lito Lavía greets guests, wife Loreto cooks. 16–25 seats, 4–5 tables. Signature dish — centolla "volcano" and "Sorretolla" (sorrentinos with crab). TripAdvisor 4.8/5, #5 of 192 Ushuaia restaurants. Per Cucinare.tv — waiting list up to 6 months.

La Sirena y El Capitan — fisherman Kike catches it himself, cooks it himself, serves it himself. Maritime atmosphere: nets, buoys, old hooks. One of the best dishes — cachiyuyo seaweed buñuelos. Several tables, wood-burning stove.

Alma Yagán — the most exclusive: only 2 tables, 5-course tasting menu. Host Diana Mendez, former fisherwoman and captain of her own boat. To reach the restaurant — walk ~500 m on boardwalks through lenga forest. TripAdvisor 5.0/5. Price ~$100 per person with wine.

11 km further along Ruta 30, in Punta Parana: Puerto Pirata (Sergio "Zuco" Carrera, son Lucas — chef), 5 tables, off-grid, you can go out with the fishermen for centolla. TripAdvisor 4.9/5, #4 of 185 Ushuaia restaurants.

How to get there

From Ushuaia: Ruta Nacional 3 east (~38 km), then turn onto Ruta Provincial J. Then a dirt road along the Lasifashaj river to Almanza. Total time — 1.5–2 hours. No public transport.