Uruguay Travel Guide: Best Things to See & Do

I wasn’t sure what to expect from my trip to Uruguay. To be honest, I hadn’t heard much about this country before my trip. None of my friends had been there. I couldn’t remember seeing any social media posts about it pop up on my feed. But after spending just four short days in this small South American country, Uruguay completely stole my heart! I think it’s a very underrated destination, which makes it even more charming and unique. So happy to share a few tips to help you plan your very own trip to Uruguay!

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Things to know

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safety

Uruguay is considered one of the safest countries in South America. But you should still practice basic safety guidelines and be aware of your surroundings. 

DAY TRIP

Montevideo is located just across the river from Buenos Aires. You can easily hop on a ferry and take a day trip to Argentina.

GETTING AROUND

Uruguay has an efficient bus system with reasonable fares. You can also take taxis or Ubers (both are affordable in Uruguay) or rent a car if you’re planning to do a road trip and see multiple towns. 

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The climate in Uruguay is mild. It doesn’t really get cold there (just a bit chilly), and that makes Uruguay a great year-round travel destination. October through March are considered to be the best months for traveling there. However, January is the busiest month, so expect to see more people and higher prices. 

LANGUAGE

English isn’t widely spoken in Uruguay, so it would be helpful to know a bit of Spanish or learn some basic phrases before the trip.

things to do on your trip to Uruguay

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Visit Montevideo

If you’re flying to Uruguay, you will most likely spend at least a day or two in its capital Montevideo. It’s a great city with unique architecture, a laid-back vibe, amazing restaurants, coffee shops, and friendly people! 

Here are some things you should do in Montevideo:

• Take a leisurely walk along La Rambla. This is where all the locals hang out. People come there to go for a run, cycle, drink mate or just meet up with friends. I suggest doing it at sunset for the best views. 

• Visit Mercado del Puerto, a historic market located in Montevideo’s old port. There you’ll be able to taste lots of Uruguayan traditional dishes. Make sure to try their famous drink called Medio y Medio—a mix of dry white wine and sparkling wine. 

• Take a guided tour of Solís Theatre, Montevideo’s historic theater. You’ll be astonished by the grandeur and beauty of this neoclassical building designed by the Italian architect Carlo Zucchi in the 19th century.

• Drink Yerba Mate, Uruguay’s national drink that’s been around for centuries. It’s a type of tea made from the Ilex paraguariensis plant. It’s caffeinated and will give you the same boost of energy as coffee would. 

Montevideo’s food science is rich and diverse. There you’ll find traditional restaurants serving local cuisine, along with hip European-style coffee shops and cafes. Here are a few spots I recommend checking out:

Visit Punta del Este 

Punta del Este is often called “Miami of Uruguay” and “Monaco of South America.” It’s the most famous resort town in the country, and has beautiful beaches, luxurious hotels, a vibrant nightlife, and great restaurants. In the summer season (end of December – February) it’s where all the celebrities and businessmen come for vacation. The rest of the year, Punta del Este looks more like a ghost town.

Things to do and see in Punta del Este:

• Visit La Mano, the hand in the sand in Punta del Este. This modern sculpture is probably one of the most photographed spots in Uruguay. It’s quite a popular tourist spot, so arrive early in the morning if you want to have the sculpture to yourself.

• Experience Punta del Este’s food scene that’s mostly focused on seafood. Restaurants there can be quite pricey, but it’s totally worth it to splurge a bit!

• Check out Casa Pueblo, a building constructed by the Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró. It’s worth a visit for anyone interested in beautiful and unique architecture. 

• Go museum-hopping in Punta del Este. There is no shortage of amazing museums in Punta del Este: Museo del Mar, Museo Ralli, Maam, and Uriburu Museum of Contemporary Art. It’s up to you to decide which ones you want to visit. Or maybe you’ll have time for all of them!

• Spend a day at one of many beaches or go surfing!

Visit Jose Ignacio

José Ignacio, a tourist hotspot that was once a sleepy fishing village, is located about 3 hours away from the capital Montevideo, and it’s a must-visit for anyone looking for a beautiful oceanside getaway. Jose Ignacio is a charming little town with beautiful sandy beaches, an iconic lighthouse, and high-end hotels and restaurants. Lots of celebrities come to Jose Ignacio, however, the town has managed to keep its laid-back vibe, and most of the year it’s pretty quiet and peaceful there.

Visit a Vineyard 

Uruguay is often overshadowed by its neighbors Argentina and Chile when it comes to wine, but in recent years, the wine industry of Uruguay has been getting more and more attention. Uruguay’s geographical location is perfect for wine production and Tannat, Uruguay’s signature grape, produces high-quality, bold red wines. There are about 250 small family-owned wineries, and many of them offer guided tours and wine tasting. Since most of the wine produced in the country is consumed locally, with only a tiny portion exported, one of the best ways to experience authentic Uruguayan wine is to travel there!

Go Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is an essential part of Uruguayan culture. Whether you know your way around horses pretty well or have absolutely zero experience, riding a horse in Uruguay is a must-do! There are plenty of full-day and half-day tours available for people with various levels of experience. You choose the tour that suits you best: riding around a vineyard and doing a wine tasting afterward, riding along one of Uruguay’s picturesque beaches, or across the rolling hills of Uruguay’s farmland. No matter which option you choose, the experience will be magical!

It was my first time ever riding a horse and I did it on a farm. Our guides were very helpful at explaining what to do. I had so much fun pretending to be a Gaucho for a little bit!

Experience a traditional Asado dinner

It would be a crime to visit Uruguay without experiencing a traditional Asado dinner. Asado is the Uruguayan version of barbecue, and it’s the most popular type of meal there. It consists of lots of meats and vegetables cooked on a special grill—a parrilla—over a wood fire. For locals, Asado is more than just food. It’s the tradition of getting together and sharing a meal with friends and family. 

We had our special Asado dinner at the El Tapado farm in Tacuarembó, where Verde Farm’s beef comes from. All the beef we ate there was 100% grass-fed Verde beef raised in the timeless gaucho tradition, with respect for the land, the animals, and the environment. 

This was possibly one of the best meals I’ve had in my entire life. It lasted for hours because, in Uruguay, you slow down to enjoy the simple things in life. We sat outside talking to the farm owners, drinking wine, listening to Uruguayan musicians, dancing, and, later, gazing at the stars. It was more than just a meal, it was an unforgettable experience.

There is something special about Uruguay that makes you fall in love with this country. It’s not just the historical sights, amazing food, and landscapes, but also the people that welcome you with open arms and make you feel like a part of their family. Our trip to Uruguay was very short just—3 full days—but it felt like we were there for much longer. Time flows differently there, because the pace of life is much slower and you are never in a rush. 

Uruguay is a small country with a very big heart, a place everyone should visit at least once in their life.