Puerto Williams

On an island southeast of Ushuaia, the town of Puerto Williams is the southernmost permanent settlement in the world. Originally called Puerto Luisa, it was renamed in 1956 in honor of the military officer who took possession of the Estrecho de Magallanes for the newly founded nation of Chile in 1843. Most of the 2,500 residents are troops at the naval base, but there are several hundred civilians in the adjacent village. A tiny community of indigenous Yaghan peoples makes its home in the nearby Ukika village.

Stop in at the Oficina de Turismo at Ibanez 130 (December-March, weekdays 10-1 and 3-661/621—011), but don't expect much beyond maps. Accommodation offerings are simple and huddled around the center of town.