Ushuaïa Ibiza Tips: What We Wish We Knew Before Our First Show

Before touching down in Ibiza, we had bought tickets to experience 3 DJs in Ushuaïa - Calvin Harris, Armin Van Buuren, and David Guetta.

We’ve seen the energy of Ushuaïa in YouTube videos.

We’ve seen how crowded it can be.

But we didn’t realize how hard it was to get a standing room or a drink in Ushuaïa.

We also didn’t realize that each main event DJ can show up at a different times.

So, here’s what we wish we knew about Ushuaïa.

Get There Early

It’s no joke.

If you’re serious about getting a solid view front and centre, then you should be there as early as 5 PM.

For us, we were poolside in the Grand Palladium White Islands until 6 PM.

Followed by dinner around 7-8 PM at the buffet, or at our reservation at the a la carte restaurants.

So we would only get to Ushuaïa around 9 PM.

For Calvin Harris’ closing event, we got there around 9:15 PM - and it was packed. He had already been playing since 9 PM.

So for Armin Van Buuren, we got there at 9 PM. But it turns out that he started at 8 PM!

Lastly for David Guetta, we got to Ushuaia just before 9 PM.

Finally, we were on time for prime time.

Drinks Are Expensive

If you can squeeze your way to the Ushuaia poolside bars, be ready to pay up.

We paid 36 EURs for 2 cans of beer - that comes out to 18 EUR a can!

We made sure to savour every sip.

But others weren’t so lucky.

Remember when I said how crowded Ushuaïa was?

Well, you better hold your beer!

One guy was in front of in line by 3 or 4 people.

We saw him order & pay for his beer.

Only to come back less than 2 minutes later to complain at the bar with an empty cup.

Turns out that his 18 EUR drink got knocked over before he could make it back to his place.

So yes, hold your beer!

Good Views Are Limited (To Tall People)

Duygu and I are not tall people by any means.

At Ushuaïa, everyone is on the same level unless you go up to the viewing terrace at the back.

Focusing on the main floor & pool area, the only elevated platform is the VIP section.

The VIP section gives you prime viewing angles of the DJs.

But it’s still crowded with other tall VIPs.

Unless you’re 6 foot something and unless you arrive super early, be ready to stretch your neck up.

Hey, but you’re in Ushuaïa to experience the magic of the music, eh!

So you can do what we did.

Find a comfortable space at the back or at 135-degree (right-side) of the stage because it offers more breathing room.

Look for a clear view of the DJs.

Feel the beat and dance to the music!

P.S. The loudspeakers are very directional. If you decide to watch it from the back, especially from up at the terrace, you’ll notice that the music will sound more ‘flat’.

The Takeaway

At the end of the night, though, every cramped line and crowded corner felt worth it.

Ushuaïa is chaotic, loud, a little overpriced — and still one of the most unreal music experiences we’ve ever had.

Once you know how the timing works, where to stand, and how to protect your 18-euro beer, the whole night becomes less about squeezing your way the crowd and more about letting yourself get swept up in the music.

If it’s your first time, go in with a plan.

If it’s your second, you’ll already know why people keep coming back.

Either way, you’ll walk out with ringing ears, tired legs, and a memory you’ll talk about long after your flight home.

And that’s the magic of Ushuaïa.