Uruguay travel guide
Beef and beaches – Uruguay's main claims to fame draw Argentines from across the border and, increasingly, travellers keen to explore new frontiers
For many European visitors there’s something strangely familiar about the landscape of Uruguay. Largely devoted to agriculture, the green countryside is dotted with sheep and cows.
It is a land of rolling hills and verdant pastures, best explored on horseback like a true gaucho, or by staying at one of the many colonial estancias that have opened their doors to visitors.
Colonia del Sacramento, a short ferry ride from Buenos Aires is a well-preserved historical gem on a small peninsula jutting into the Río de la Plata. In the capital, Montevideo, things are a little more multicultural. Buildings in a riot of architectural styles – Spanish, French, Italian, English and Art Deco – line the streets. Mercado del Puerto, the 19th-century market building near the docks, is a carnivore’s dream – dozens of restaurants sizzle and steam with tray after tray of succulent and delicious asado (grilled meat), the staple diet of most Uruguayans.
Escape the cities and the giant barbecue and drive along the spectacular coast stretching east of Montevideo, a conveyor belt of small bays, beaches and promontories backed by hills and woods. Further east still, the population dwindles and you’ll find quiet lagoons where you can kayak through still waters to a soundtrack of chirruping birds.
For a classic road adventure, choose Route 7 towards Melo, heart of the cattle-ranching country. For most of its length the road runs through the Cuchilla Grande – a range of soft, curving hills – and past fragrant vineyards and orchards up to the Brazilian border.
Wanderlust recommends
- Dine beneath the Ombu trees in Punta Del Diablo
- Watch out for a rhea (huge flightless bird) as it charges across the north-western pampa
- Settle down with friends to suck some mate (yerba tea) through a silver straw
- See how the other half live in Punta del Este – one of South America’s most exclusive beach resorts
- Meet the locals over lunch in the atmospheric Mercado del Puerto in Montevideo
- Snap some shots of the picture-perfect cobbled streets of Barrio Histórico, Colonia del Sacramento
- Corned beef fans should visit the bizarre Museo de la Revolución in the old meat-packing factory at Fray Bentos
Wanderlust tips
You can get to Colonia in Uruguay from Buenos Aires by ferry. Customs are at point of departure. Leather goods are generally excellent quality.