A land of rolling hills and many miles of coast and beaches, Uruguay shares its borders with its much larger neighbours Argentina and Brazil. It is a friendly and open country with a cultured and literate population and is good value for money for the visitor. The capital Montevideo has an interesting old city and the highlights in this area are the Mercado del Puerto, a former dockside market which has become an emporium for traditional food and drink, and the magnificently restored Solis Theatre.
Uruguay’s most famous beach resort is Punta del Este which in season (Dec-Mar) is packed with visitors and locals taking their Summer break. Two hours drive west of Montevideo, is Colonia del Sacramento a unique remnant of colonial buildings in this part of the continent.
There is a growing network of Estancias where visitors can relax for a few days, observe the gauchos at work or even ride for themselves the excellent quality horses at their disposal. The luxurious Four Seasons Resort in Carmelo provides a pampered break for all at any time of the year.
Most tourists visit Uruguay during the summer (December-March) which is also high season when accommodation prices are most expensive. Summer temperatures may reach 30 C but there is always some breezes off the Atlantic to temper the heat and the nights are relatively cool. Winter (June-September) temperatures average 10-16 C but cold fronts moving through can sometimes reduce these temperatures significantly. Out of the main summer season many places on the coast are closed.
Enjoy four days full of adventure and sightseeing exploring top attractions across Montevideo, Colonia del Sacramento and Punta del Este.
Discover the prominent wines of Chile, Argentina and Uruguay on this 12-day tour covering Santiago (Chile), Mendoza and Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Colonia del Sacramento (Uruguay).
This trip is the perfect option for those wishing to explore Uruguay with their own vehicle.
Start the trip in Colonia Del Sacramento, discover the old town of Montevideo, hike in the National Park of Quebrada de los Cuervos (Crows’ Ravine), stay at typical estancias, trek to the Natural Reserve of Cabo Polonio to visit one of the biggest reserves of sea lions in the world and combine the whole trip with accommodations full of character.
If you are arriving into Montevideo, Colonia is a two-hour drive west of the capital. If you are arriving from Buenos Aires, the hydro-foil terminal is located just a few minutes from the historic quarter.
Colonia is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and we recommend a stay of two nights to enjoy and relax in this colonial gem located on the River Plate.
Located on the River Plate estuary Montevideo has a distinctly European feel to it with wide avenues and many parks. The historical old town can be explored easily on foot. At the west end of the city is the international port and at the east end sandy beaches, pine forests and posh residential areas extending along the coast.
An endless succession of small bays, beaches and promontories, set among hills and woods, stretches east from Montevideo, culminating approximately 139 km away in Punta del Este - a magnet for summer holidaymakers and sometimes referred to as the St. Tropez of South America.