At the end of world lies the adventure of Ushuaia

(CNN) — Nestled between daunting snow-capped Andean mountains of Argentina and the shores of the Beagle Channel lies Ushuaia, a busy port and adventure hub that takes full advantage of marketing its end-of-the-world vibe just a three-hour plane ride from Buenos Aires.

The town has been a missionary base, penal colony and naval base for the Argentine navy, but over the last decade or two it has transformed itself (with an admitted lack of urban planning) into a major tourist destination complete with casinos, five-star hotels and a good selection of restaurants.

Where to stay

Tierra del Fuego's far southern location makes it a popular jumping-off point for trips to Antarctica.

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The clean and modern Fueguino is a solid mid-range option for those who prefer to stay downtown. It's within easy walking distance to the casinos, tourist pier, and museums, and the hotel provides shuttle services to the ski center about 26 kilometers (16 miles) outside of town and the cruise terminal.

It is a commonly-used base for trekking nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park, engaging in winter sports at Cerro Castor, and is a starting point for expeditions to nearby Antarctica (Freestyle Adventure Travel can get you there last minute and at a decent price).

For travelers who want a more natural setting, the tranquil and upscale Los Cauquenes is 15 minutes outside of downtown Ushuaia, heading in the direction of the National Park and Glacier Martial. It is just steps from the coast of the Beagle Channel -- book a suite to have a private balcony with gorgeous views of the sea.

Where to eat

Ushuaia is one of the most expensive cities in Argentina, but food is not where you want to try to skimp. If you've made the effort to travel so far, indulge in some of the city's finest restaurants to get to know the local food at its best. This far south, it's all about the king crab (centolla), sea bass (merluza negra) and cholgas (large mussels).

If seafood is not your favorite, opt for the slow-cooked fuegian lamb. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, you may want to bring some food items with you, as this is not the most veggie-friendly place on earth. One exception is the Viejo Almacen, also known as Ramos Generales. They make a mean veggie sandwich and offer up some creative pasta and risotto dishes.

What to do

The Beagle Channel gets its name from Charles Darwin's boat the HMS Beagle.

Getty Images/Marco_Piunti

Many travelers check out Ushuaia only for a quick day trip as they debark their cruise ship -- usually the national park in the morning and some city shopping in the afternoon. But this outdoor paradise deserves much more time for exploration.

Tierra Turismo is the best option for getting you out and about into nature. While they do guided national park trips, their state-of-the-art 4x4s can also get you well off the beaten track. You can book anything from a fairly sedentary trip where you just kick back and see the stunning sights from the ease of the truck, or you can get more active and kayak and hike your way through the region, crab fish, visit penguins at Harberton or explore an old shipwreck at San Pablo.

While Tierra has you covered on the ground, Heli Ushuaia offers helicopter flyovers of the the area, taking you over the Beagle Channel to glacial lakes and lagoons tucked deep into the mountains. They offer a landing or two for photo ops and even bust out the champagne with which to toast the incredible sights.