Uruguay travel guide: An insider’s guide

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Often overlooked as a top South American travel destination in favor of its neighbors Argentina and Brazil, Uruguay is a somewhat secret gem that we know has so much to offer. Here you can find boutique wineries, colonial architecture, chic harbor resorts and a thriving gaucho culture all waiting to be explored.

The best way to see Uruguay is on a luxury private tour crafted to your interests, pace of travel and group size. If you’re thinking of the perfect trip to Uruguay, having some of the essential information in advance will make your vacation even more enjoyable and even more personal.

That’s why we’ve put together our Uruguay travel guide, giving you everything you need to know to see this lesser explored South American country your way, and ensure the people and places leave a last mark and lasting memories.

Where to go in Uruguay

Uruguay sits sandwiched between Argentina to its south and Brazil on its north and west. If in Argentina, there are easy and regular boat crossings from Buenos Aires across the Río de La Plata to either the coastal town of Colonia del Sacramento or the bustling capital, Montevideo. There are also select international flights into Montevideo with Aerolineas Argentinas, Pluna, Gol, and American Airlines, among others.

A trip to Uruguay is a diverse one, as you’ll find a real mix of locations, paces of life, even cultures. Some of Uruguay’s top destinations include:

Colonia del Sacramento. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a postcard-worthy town of quiet cobblestone streets, low-lying traditional houses, bodegas and classic cars. One of the best things to do in Colonia is simply sitting outside for lunch as the world slowly goes by, or visiting the Municipal Museum near Plaza Mayor. The history of 17^th century Colonia is a fascinating one, too.
Carmelo. West of Colonia you find Carmelo, a riverside town on the Río de la Plata that’s a great spot for visiting nearby wineries and sampling local produce. There are also Jesuit ruins in this area, making Carmelo and nice stop to break up your journey along Uruguay’s southern shores.
Montevideo. A busy capital city with both a fascinating Old Town full of architectural treasures and a modern side, where palm-lined streets and sea-facing apartments are the order of the day. Among Montevideo’s many highlights are the beautiful Palacio Salvo and Mausoleum of José Artigas, the 18^th century Old Citadel Gate, Montevideo Cathedral, and streets of colonial buildings as well as art studios, fine restaurants and more.
Pueblo Edén. Pueblo Edén is a bucolic escape of rolling hills and countryside, isolated luxury lodges and haute cuisine. This is another great spot for a Uruguayan winery tour, accompanied by local produce and serene views.
Punta del Este. Punta del Este is the place to see and be seen in Uruguay. At this glamorous beachside retreat you’ll find yachts, fine dining restaurants, stylish bars and five-star hotels—plus plenty of Uruguayan holidaymakers. Punta del Este is a fantastic place for great food, chic cocktail bars overlooking the harbour, and scenic coastal walks. Day trips from here include horseback riding through the surrounding villages, boat tours, and visiting nearby wineries and towns.
José Ignacio. A charming beach town of golden sands and beach shacks, José Ignacio, east of Punta del Este, is a laidback and loveable town that forces you to relax. Unwind here in the comfort of a boutique hotel or lodge, good food and good surfing.
Rocha. For a lesser-visited coastal spot of rugged golden beaches, occasional wildlife and small villages like Cabo Polonio, head to Rocha. This more off-the-beaten track destination offers a snapshot of life for Uruguayan fishermen and low-key local beach shacks.
Maldonado. A more upscale beach experience comes at Playa Mansa and La Barra in Maldonado District, where long stretches of sandy shore are fringed by hotels, apartments and cafes. This is a good location on Uruguay’s Southeastern coast for watersports and surfing as much as relaxing on the beach.
Casapueblo. Less a destination and more a resort, Casapueblo near Punta del Este is well worth a visit. Constructed by artist Carlos Páez Vilaró, Casapueblo clings to the hillside and is a sight to behold, coming complete with a museum, art gallery and elevated sea views.

Things to see and do in Uruguay

The more you travel around Uruguay the more sides to this underexplored South American country you’ll see. It’s also relatively easy to get from A to B, meaning you can fit a lot into your bespoke tour of Uruguay in in the time that you have.

Soccer fans will rejoice when in Montevideo, with the Centenario Stadium having hosted the first ever World Cup and is a must, especially if local rivals Peñarol and Nacional are playing during your visit. Then from coastal colonial towns to glitzy beach resorts and rural countryside in between, our top 5 things to see and do in Uruguay include:

Private walking tour of Colonia del Sacramento. Uncover the intriguing history and highlights of Colonia on a private walking tour, taking in the cute cobblestone streets and colonial buildings of this pretty little town.
Sunset drinks in José Ignacio. Depending on the season (and the weather), kicking back by a beach shack or on the patio of your hotel as the sun begins to set is a joy. Often, this rugged coastline takes on a beautiful haze at sunset which makes for fantastic photographs.
Horseback riding with the Gauchos. The Pampas of Uruguay and grasslands that lead to the coast are still alive and well with traditional Gaucho culture. These renowned horsemen can be seen galloping along the coast or rounding up cattle on working estancias. Whether you’re staying on a Uruguayan estancia or on the coast, riding with a real-life Gaucho is a real authentic experience.
Fine dining in Punta del Este. There are many chic bars and upmarket restaurants to choose from in Punta del Este, and both they and the overall feel of the resort show off a different side to Uruguay when compared with the rural areas and colonial towns. With sea views aplenty and seafood specialties to match, taking the time to make at least one evening all-about gastronomy in Punta del Este is highly recommended.
Private wine tasting. Uruguay is lesser known than the other big wine producing countries in South America, Chile and Argentina, but some of the boutique wineries in Uruguay can match up to the best. With secluded settings like the Narbona Wine Lodge or Bodega Garzón perfectly set up for private tastings in an intimate setting, wine tours in Uruguay can be perfectly paired with your journey.

Where to stay in Uruguay

As with the country itself, the range of places to stay in Uruguay is broad. There are estancias and ranches such as Estancia Vik in the José Ignacio area and elsewhere in the Pampas or rural areas, all providing an authentic Uruguayan experience in wonderful settings. Or perhaps the upmarket Playa Vik, also in José Ignacio, though offering an entirely different—opulent—stay altogether.

You can expect more of the same when considering hotels in Punta del Este, with many luxury sea-facing properties and exclusive villas to choose from such as Fasano Punta del Este and L’Auberge Punta del Este, while remote wine lodges in Uruguay like Narbona Wine Lodge in Carmelo offer something different again. Here, you get the best of all worlds with luxurious accommodation, a countryside setting, and the all-important vineyard on your doorstep.

Carmelo is also home to a handful of spa resorts, while places to stay in Colonia are full of colonial character and charm like Posada Plaza Mayor, and not short on comfort either. Then in the capital, Montevideo, there are plenty to choose from—whether a suite with a swimming pool or penthouse room with a view—hotels such as Sofitel Carrasco and Alma Histórica mean solo travelers, couples, families and groups are very well catered for.

Uruguay travel tips

As with any travel destination, there’s plenty to consider before packing your bags for Uruguay—from the climate to the landscape to getting around. We’ve put together our 7 top tips for travelling to Uruguay, helping make sure your visit is the best it can be:

What to wear: Pack for the season you’re visiting Uruguay. Swimwear, sunscreen and loose clothing are essential if on the coast in summer months, though we’d recommend longer clothes and sturdy footwear for your time walking colonial towns or exploring the countryside. When in the country, Manos del Uruguay is a great store to pick up chic woolen items, and if travelling to Uruguay outside of summer we recommend packing for all weathers as days can be warm and humid or wet and windy, so pack waterproofs and heavier layers as well as looser clothing for balmy days.
When to go: Though a year-round destination, the summer months of November to February/march will guarantee all beach resorts, bars and restaurants are open, as some begin to close from Autumn onwards. If travelling at other times of the year, we recommend the cities and rural areas as well as the beach to ensure your trip is not limited.
Internet: You’ll find good Wi-fi connections throughout most of Uruguay, with the exception of remote estancias and some of the smaller rural towns.
Currency: The currency in Uruguay is the Uruguayan Peso. Be sure to have some cash with you too as remote sites and some beach bars, for example, do not have the facilities for card payments.
Getting around: We would always recommend a private guide and car to get around Uruguay easily. There are regular bus services and self-drive is possible, but not all driving licenses are accepted and a private guide gives you greater chance to enjoy the views!
Cuisine: On the coast, seafood plays a big part in Uruguayan cuisine, especially in the resorts and upmarket restaurants. Traditional Asado BBQs are big throughout the country, though especially inland and in rural areas where the food is heartier. You’ll find stalls selling empanadas wherever you go, and Italian-inspired bites and pizza are surprisingly popular too. Head to Mercado del Puerto in Montevideo for a famous “Chivito” sandwich, or high-end restaurants in San Ignacio and Punta del Este, including the wonderful La Huella and Garzon by Francis Mallman.
Length of stay: To see the Highlights of Uruguay we recommend a 12-day trip, however as Uruguay is so easily accessible from Buenos Aires and parts of the Brazilian border, you can include Uruguay for 3 or 4 days as part of a wider South American journey.

No matter what your interests or group size, speak to the South America travel specialists at Atelier and they will craft your dream tailormade tour to Uruguay and beyond.