What happened
Argentina's National Parks Administration (APN) approved Resolution 132/2026 — a new pricing structure for all federal parks nationwide. Tierra del Fuego landed in the higher-fee bracket: 40,000 pesos for foreigners (roughly $40 USD at the official rate in early June). For comparison: in October 2025 it was 30,000, and a year before that — just 12,000.
How much does entrance to Tierra del Fuego National Park cost?
Starting June 1, 2026, the general rate for foreigners is 40,000 ARS (~$40). Argentinians with DNI pay 18,000 ARS, Tierra del Fuego province residents pay 8,000, students with Argentine documentation pay 12,000. Free admission: children under 6, Argentine retirees, people with disabilities (CUD), Malvinas veterans, and organized school groups. In winter (May–September) entrance is free for everyone.
Tarifa nacional (Argentinians) — 18,000 ARS. National ID (DNI) required.
Residentes provinciales (Tierra del Fuego province residents) — 8,000 ARS. Locals get a slight discount.
Estudiantes (students) — 12,000 ARS. Argentine students only, with valid enrollment documentation.
Free admission: children under 6, Argentine retirees, people with disabilities (CUD), Malvinas War veterans, organized school groups, park guides and staff.
Second-day discount
If you return to the park within 72 hours of your first visit, your second entry costs 50% less. Important caveat: for TDF this discount works only when purchasing online through ventaweb.apn.gob.ar. The ticket booth at the entrance won't apply the discount.
Where do you pay entrance to Tierra del Fuego National Park?
The entrance is on Ruta 3, 12 km from Ushuaia. The ticket booth operates October through April (high season); from May through September entrance is free for all categories. They accept cash pesos, Visa and Mastercard (credit and debit), but bringing cash is recommended — cell service in the mountains can be temperamental.
Online tickets can be purchased in advance through the Administración de Parques Nacionales website. This is convenient if you're in a rental car or arriving early morning when the booth already has a queue of tourists from cruise ships.
Why did park entrance get more expensive in 2026?
Official version: park infrastructure needs investment. Trails erode, bridges need repairs, tourist numbers increased (especially post-pandemic), and staff need salaries. In reality, this is the first price hike in two years — rates hadn't been touched since January 2024, despite inflation.
Unofficial take: this is part of the Milei government's strategy to cut subsidies — parks should self-finance through tourism. For foreigners the price rose 33%, for Argentinians 80%. Students got hit hardest: their rate jumped 117%, though the base figure is still lower.
How will the new rates affect your trip?
If you're planning to visit the park summer 2026–2027: budget 40,000 ARS per person. Minivans from the corner of Maipú/Fadul to the entrance cost another 20,000 round-trip (October 2025 pricing, verify current rates), plus the ticket itself.
If you're coming in winter: entrance is free May through September inclusive. But keep in mind that in winter most trails are snow-covered, Correo del Fin del Mundo (the end-of-the-world post office) is closed, and daylight hours are short.
If you want to save money: buy an online ticket and use the 50% discount on your second day. Or come in shoulder season — April, early May.
Alternatives to the park
Cerro Martial chairlift — Season 2026
If 40,000 seems too steep, Ushuaia's surroundings have plenty of free spots:
Laguna Esmeralda — muddy if you're unlucky with weather and it rained the previous three days, but a beautiful trail through peat bogs. Rains, by the way, happen mostly in spring (early October through late November).
Glaciar Martial — climb to the glacier with views of the Beagle Channel. In 2026 they installed chairlifts; entrance became paid for non-residents. Chairlift to the Cerro Martial viewpoint: views of the Beagle Channel and "End of the World" mountains.
Official 2026 season rates:
| Category | 1 day | 2 days | 3 days | 4 days | 5 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist | $70,000 | $140,000 | $199,500 | $257,600 | $308,000 |
| Tourist under 12 | $35,000 | $70,000 | $99,750 | $128,800 | $154,000 |
| Retiree | $10,500 | $21,000 | $29,925 | $38,640 | $46,200 |
| Panoramic (1 ride) | $35,000 | — | — | — | — |
Laguna del Diablo — a small bog right in the city limits, walking distance. If you're there, definitely stop by "Laguna cafe del barrio" — try some of the best coffee in town and amazing pastries, and say hi to the owner, Erriberto, from Vanya and Vika.
But the final "end of Ruta 3" sign and the end-of-the-world post office you'll only see inside the park — it's a unique experience, and for that many people still pay.
Practical tip
Arrive early — minivans start running at 8 a.m., but by 10:00 there's already a line at the ticket booth. Bring cash for small expenses; cards are accepted but terminals don't always work. If you're planning two days in the park (say, one day hiking the Coastal Trail and Bahía Lapataia, second day canoeing on Río Lapataia), buy flex multi-day tickets online to get the discount.
And bring a thermos with mate or tea — there's only one café in the park, at the Alakush visitor center, and prices there are tourist-grade.