Uruguay Holidays and Trips

A trip to Uruguay, one of South America’s undiscovered travel gems, will offer surprisingly varied options for travellers seeking an authentic holiday experience. Nestled between Brazil, Argentina and its rugged Atlantic Ocean coast, Uruguay features a large number of beautiful sandy beaches and colonies of seals. It is also home to rolling hills and vast, wide-open spaces in the countryside as well as friendly people, great food and tango. Any trip to Uruguay is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a holiday you will not forget.

The capital, Montevideo, should definitely be included in your trip to Uruguay. It is vibrant and features some beautiful French and Italian colonial buildings. Lively markets, excellent museums, a vibrant street life and good beaches add to the attractions. Take time to visit the nearby vineyards and wineries. Most are small and friendly, the owners often showing you around themselves.

Locals also have a fervent passion for tango. The most famous singer of all time, Carlos Gardel, is claimed as a Uruguayan and has a very interesting museum dedicated to him. And for wine and barbecues – say it quietly, but this country can more than rival the more well-known Argentinian varieties for top quality delicious steak and excellent wines.

Colonia

Colonia (full name Colonia del Sacramento) is a World Heritage Site. Any trip to Uruguay should include Colonia. It is a popular day trip and easily accessed from Buenos Aires in Argentina. A fast ferry will take you across the Rio de la Plata, from Buenos Aires to Colonia, in under an hour. This makes for an excellent day trip. Colonia has a beautiful historic town centre with many buildings dating from the 17th century. There are beautiful flower-filled squares, tree-lined cobbled streets, colonial Portuguese and Spanish architecture plus a fabulous array of craft stores and cafes.

Spend a day wandering the narrow winding picturesque city streets and don’t miss the city gate and wooden drawbridge, the lighthouse and convent ruins of the 17th-century convent of San Francisco, the Portuguese museum, the  Municipal building, Casa del Virrey, and the old bullring (Plaza de Toro).

More on Uruguay trips and holidays

The coast of Uruguay has lovely beaches and warms seas, which the locals flock to, to relax, swim and sunbathe. Try your hand at surfing in the ever-popular Punta del Diablo, home to some big waves.

From June to October there is a good chance to see the Southern Right Whales attracted to breed in the warm waters, off the shore. There are numerous whale watching spots along the coast, and wales are often just off the beach.

Inland and into the countryside, you can stay at a range of estancias to taste the rural life and sample some excellent horse riding. Birders will also be excited to see the variety of birds in the wetlands.

Uruguay has a charming, warm, friendly population of only 3 million, and is a little-known but perfect destination made for horse riding. Self-drive trips around the coast and the interior are also lovely, laid back ways to see this delightfully relaxed country.

Plan a trip to Uruguay with Andean Trails.