Since 1998, we've crafted journeys using knowledge gained on our own explorations of South America's spectacular wilderness, fascinating cultures and diverse wildlife.
Bring a sense of adventure and an open mind. We'll take care of the logistics and support you round the clock.
We only work with small, locally owned operators and guides. Your money stays where you travel, and a share of every trip supports local communities and the wild places they protect.
Montevideo is South America showing Europe a slice of its own laid-back, crumbling elegance, mixed with a modern feel.
Bordered by part of the world’s widest river, the Río de la Plata, the city has many lovely plazas and city beaches, perfect for watching blazing red sunsets.
Stroll Calle Sarandí and enjoy its art galleries, craft shops, and street performers. Visit Mercado del Puerto for a traditional Uruguayan BBQ (asado) and Tannat red wine that rivals those of neighbouring Buenos Aires.
Montevideanos are open and chatty people. By day, conversation flows around the country’s famous writers and literature; by night, Milongas (dance nights) and Tango bring the city alive. The city is also home to South America’s oldest theatre, the Solís Theatre.
A famous former Portuguese colonial outpost, Colonia feels like a step back in time.
Wander slowly past old, pretty colonial buildings set along picturesque, quiet streets which now for part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
There are two or three good restaurants to try, visit some small museums, and swim in the refreshing Rio de la Plata.
El Buen Suspiro (the good whisper) is Colonia’s most famous street. Some say its name derives from the enticing whispers of the prostitutes that worked here; others say it was the last breath of animals that were slaughtered here.
Remember to check out the wooden drawbridge and the 19th-century lighthouse, too.
Uruguay’s most famous resort, Punta del Este, is a playground for the rich and famous, as well as tourists from around the world.
People flock here from December to February to enjoy the calm waters and a wide variety of top-end hotels, restaurants, boutique bars, and shops.
The city is often referred to as “The Monaco of the South”, “The Pearl of the Atlantic” and “The St. Tropez of South America”, thanks to its glitzy reputation.
Less than an hour from Montevideo, it’s a sun-and-beach destination for those who like to add a little glam to their stay.
Uruguay’s 660km of white-sand coastline, capes and dunes are almost completely deserted and unspoiled.
Drive north past Punta del Este and into more remote areas for a wild and beautiful coast.
The fishing village of José Ignacio is an up-and-coming place to stay, while La Pedrera calls to surfers, kite-surfers, and eco-travellers.
Cabo Polonio is another old fishing village now turned eco/hippy resort. It’s basic, with limited electricity, but has a huge sea lion colony, peaceful waters for swimming, and beautiful sunsets and clear skies for stargazing.
Further up, Punta del Diablo has more of a nighttime scene and good swimming beaches.
Uruguay holds a secret—a red wine called Tannat that more than matches its boisterous neighbour’s Malbec variety.
Uruguay has been making Tannat for more than 250 years. While it has stayed under the world’s radar so far, it must soon rise to prominence.
Brought to the shores by the French and Spanish, then lovingly kept on by Jesuit settlers, Tannat is now more important in Uruguay than in its native France.
Wine enthusiasts will love the chance to stay at historic haciendas and sample fine reds alongside great BBQs (asados).
Route 109 between Aigua and La Roncha in eastern Uruguay is one of the country’s most scenic roads.
It curves through the countryside, occasionally switching to a dirt road, but mostly on a good-quality surface, with little traffic.
The 45-mile route connects the town of Aiguá in the northern Maldonado department with the city of Rocha.
You’ll drive past the green hills with boulders and streams of Sierra de Carapé and the Sierras de Rocha, accompanied by panoramic views most of the way as you wind through forests and farms.
En route, you’ll also pass Uruguay’s highest peak, the famous Cerro Catedral, which stands at a not-so-mighty 513m/1,685ft.
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.
A superbly organized journey showcasing Andean Trails’ consistent excellence, reliability, and seamless travel experiences.
Outstanding communication and expert planning made Andean Trails the clear choice for a perfectly organised South American adventure.
Be prepared for your dream holiday to Uruguay with our helpful information.
From money advice to visas, from inoculations to which plugs to take, below you’ll find a wide range of travel tips, advice and information that will help you get ready to explore Uruguay.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
Get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.
The international code for Uruguay is +598.
Montevideo landline numbers begin with a 2, everywhere else a 4, and most mobiles with 099.
Uruguay landlines are 8 digits long. To call landline to landline, simply dial the 8 digits.
If using your own mobile phone to call a landline, dial the country code and then the number. For example, for Montevideo (numbers start with a 2), dial +598 2 1234567.
Mobile phones start with 099, followed by 6 more digits.
If dialling from a Uruguayan landline or mobile to a mobile, simply dial 099 and then the remaining 6 digits.
If using your own mobile phone to call a Uruguayan mobile, dial the country code, omit the 0 of 099, then the remaining digits. For example: +598 99 123456.
Almost all unlocked phones will work in Uruguay with a local SIM. Check with your provider before arrival to confirm compatibility.
Roaming charges may be high. It is advisable to check before arrival.
Most hotels, cafés, restaurants and airports offer free and generally good Wi-Fi.
There are plenty of locutorios (internet cafés) offering affordable and reliable internet access in most towns and cities.
Head to the state postal service, Correo Uruguayo.
Andean Trails can book all your international and domestic flights for this trip and for UK passengers; we have full ATOL bonding and can book flights with most airlines.
International flight prices are variable and usually can only be guaranteed at the time of booking. If you would like to upgrade to business or first class, or even arrive at an earlier date/depart at a later date we can also arrange this for you.
Typically, you fly to a country’s capital city and then overnight there or make a connecting flight (if available) to your next destination.
Please contact us for flight advice especially if you do make a connection on the same day. It is important to purchase a through ticket and not separate tickets for connections, so that you are covered for any delays. Passengers with separate tickets that are delayed run the risk of having to buy an entirely new ticket to continue their journeys.
Please note all airline schedules are subject to change and are out of our control.
Almost all flight tickets are now e-tickets. Any that are not will be handed to you on arrival in South America – this is most common for flights on smaller planes in Amazon areas such as Guyana/Bolivia.
The final travel instructions we send you some 2-3 weeks before departure will list the latest flight times, flight numbers etc as well as list your e-ticket numbers and booking reference code (6 characters i.e. GB75RK). This is what you will need to check in with.
Depending on the airline, we can reserve some seats for you at the time of booking your international flights with us.
If we cannot reserve seats at the time of booking, you have to wait for online check in to open (usually 24-72 hours before departure).
To check in online you will need to go to the website of the airline you are travelling with, and have your e-ticket number/booking reference to hand. Click check in online, enter your details, and choose your seat.
Some flights will allocate seats at the check in desk at the airport and some may not allocate seats at all.
The United States (USA) has an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) which all travellers to and via the USA must complete BEFORE travel to/via its airports and shores.
More information can be found on their ESTA website.
Passengers who have not completed the form will be denied boarding.
Before you begin this application, make sure that you have a valid passport and credit card available.
This application will only accept the following credit cards: MasterCard, VISA, American Express, and Discover (JCB, Diners Club).
| Starters | |
|---|---|
| Choripán | Grilled spicy sausage served in a small baguette-style roll. |
| Empanada | Pastry commonly filled with minced beef or cheese. |
| Chivito | Sandwich with sliced steak, ham, cheese, egg and mayonnaise. |
| Morcilla dulce | Blood sausage with raisins or walnuts. |
| Pancho | Frankfurter in a bun with ketchup, mayonnaise or sometimes mustard. |
| Mains | |
| Asado | Barbecue with an assortment of meats and often offal. |
| Asado con cuero | Barbecue with the whole animal (sheep or cow) spread out on a cross near glowing charcoal. |
| Empanadas gallegas | Fish pie filled with tuna, onions and bell peppers. |
| Milanesa | Beef or chicken that is crumbed and fried. |
| Pastel de carne | Similar to cottage pie – minced beef, green peppers and egg topped with mashed potatoes. |
| Pascualina | Pie filled with spinach and egg. |
| Desserts | |
| Alfajores | Two shortbread biscuits filled with dulce de leche and covered with chocolate. |
| Bizcochos | Pastries. Many are sweet, some are savoury. |
| Dulce de leche | A caramel widely used in desserts. |
| Dulce de membrillo | Quince jelly. |
| Flan | Milk, egg and sugar pudding, usually topped with caramel. |
| Drinks | |
| Vino tinto | Red wine. |
| Vino blanco | White wine. |
| Clericó | Wine mixed with fruit juice. |
| Grappamiel | Grappa with honey. |
| Mate | Yerba mate tea. |
Uruguay is a green and verdant land of rolling hills and pastures, and has distinct areas to enjoy including 10 national parks.
The 660km of coast offers beautiful and dramatic atlantic beaches the further north you go, some many miles in length, others more intimate and with cosy places to stay and place to swim. Those nearer Montevideo and the famous Punta del Este cater more for sun and sea lovers.
There are several estancias and vineyards to visit along the coast, as well as inland.
The interior gets very warm and humid in summer, but with a hire car it’s a lovely and fresher get away up into the hills, with Cerro Catedral at 514 metres (1,686 ft) the highest point in the country.
In the east are several wetlands and lagoons from which many birds and animals can be seen.
To the west of the country lies Rio de la Plata, which forms an enormous river border with Argentina. As you move upstream, you encounter wetlands replete with wildlife and forests.
In the north you will hardly see a soul, and have to yourself the unexplored gorges, gold mines and vineyards of this incredible ‘little’ country.
Uruguay is one of South America’s undiscovered gems, a welcoming and charming country with dramatic coast lines and hidden treasures.
Nestled between Brasil, Argentina and its rugged Atlantic Ocean coast, Uruguay features a large number of sandy beaches, rolling hills and vast, wide open spaces in the countryside.
Its warm, friendly population of only 3 million – who you’ll see supping yerba maté tea as the sun goes down – live peacefully in an area the size of England and Wales.
Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo, is vibrant and home to some scorching tango nights as well as many art-deco buildings.
The coast has lovely beaches and warms seas, which the locals flock to, to relax, swim and sunbathe.
Journey inland and into the countryside you can stay at estancias to taste the rural life, and perhaps some horse riding.
Learning a few words of Spanish can really ingratiate you with the locals you’ll encounter, adding to the enjoyment of your holiday. Below are some basics to get you started.
| Greetings | |
|---|---|
| Good morning | Buenos días |
| How are you? | ¿Cómo estás? |
| Good afternoon | Buenas tardes |
| Good bye | Adiós |
| Most frequently asked questions (theirs) | |
| Where are you (plural) from? | ¿De dónde eres (son)? |
| What time is it? | ¿Qué hora es? |
| Where have you come from? | ¿De dónde vienes? |
| Give me (frequent, unwelcome question) | Dáme / regálame |
| Most frequent questions (yours) | |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto vale? |
| What is this place called? | ¿Cómo se llama este lugar? |
| What’s your name? | ¿Cómo te llamas? |
| Do you have a map? | ¿Tienes un mapa? |
| In the street / places | |
| Where can I find a currency exchange? | ¿Dónde encuentro una casa de cambio? |
| Where is there a cash machine? | ¿Dónde hay un cajero automático? |
| Where is the underground/subway station? | ¿Dónde está la estación de metro/subte (Buenos Aires)? |
| Where can I find a taxi? | ¿Dónde puedo encontrar un taxi? |
| Where can I find a supermarket? | ¿Dónde puedo encontrar un supermercado? |
| Where is the hospital? | ¿Dónde está el hospital? |
| Where can I find a restaurant? | ¿Dónde puedo encontrar un restaurante? |
| In the hotel | |
| What floor am I on? | ¿En qué piso estoy? |
| Where are the elevators/lifts? | ¿Dónde están los ascensores? |
| How do I access the Internet? | ¿Cómo puedo acceder a Internet? |
| How do I call for room service? | ¿Cómo llamo para el servicio de habitación? |
| How do I call down to the front desk? | ¿Cómo llamo a la recepción? |
| In the restaurant | |
| A table for two/four please | Una mesa para dos/cuatro, por favor |
| I would like to drink… | Me gustaría tomar… |
| May I see a menu? | ¿Puedo ver la carta / menú? |
| I would like to order… | Me gustaría pedir… |
| Can you bring me the check/bill please? | ¿Me trae la cuenta, por favor? |
| Emergency | |
| I need help. | Necesito ayuda. |
| I have lost my passport. | He perdido mi pasaporte. |
| Someone stole my money. | Alguien robó mi dinero. |
| I have been robbed. | Me han robado. |
| I need to call the police. | Necesito llamar a la policía. |
| I need to call the (country) Embassy. | Necesito llamar a la embajada de (country). |
| Help! | ¡Socorro! |
Uruguay’s monetary unit is the “Uruguyan Peso”.
Most of your transactions will be in pesos, but US dollars are often accepted, too, if they are small denomination, unmarked and undamaged bills. Try to take USD 10s and 20s.
ATM debit/credit cards are now widely used in major restaurants, hotels and shops (with fees), and there are ATM (‘hole-in-the-wall’) machines widely available in towns and cities. In smaller coastal/interior towns, cash is harder to come by, so do stock up in Montevideo.
When changing money, use a bank or casa de cambio (bureau de change). Ask for ‘billetes chicos’ (small notes, i.e. 20, 50, and 100) as obtaining change outside towns and cities can be difficult. Count your pesos carefully before handing over your US dollars, and look out for forged notes.
Click here for the current exchange rate.
Uruguay has a big wine and meat culture, but with relatively low wages and a very expensive cost of living, eating out is not always cheap. Wine is often cheaper than beer.
You can easily spend more than USD 100pp on food and wine in top end restaurants/vineyards/haciendas. Be warned that a drink in even the most modest looking of cafés may cost more than you pay at home.
Prices vary greatly, below is a rough guide to what you can expect to pay in Uruguay.
Beer/soft drink: USD 3
Menu del dia: USD 10-20
Coffee: USD 2
Beer/soft drink: USD 3-5
Main dish: USD 15-20 upwards
Coffee: USD 3
Uruguay uses a current of 230 volts, and a frequency of 50Hz.
Most cameras, phones and computers are dual or multi voltage and probably won’t need a convertor – please check before leaving.
Some items you may bring, such as hairdryers, may need a convertor. They may short if you use them without the correct convertor.
Uruguay mainly uses two-pin, round-pronged C plugs, as well as compatible F and L plugs, and sometimes you can find I (i) Type plugs.
Uruguay is one of the safest places to visit in South America, and indeed the world.
Having said that, there is petty crime and you are advised to be on guard as you would on any tour, especially in Montevideo and at night time.
Festival: Epiphany
Exchange of gifts and family meals. Start of carnival season.
Location: Countrywide.
Festival: Fiesta de La Candelaria
Processions, dance and music.
Location: Countrywide.
Festival: Carnaval and Las Llamadas
Fancy dress, music, parades, fireworks.
Location: Montevideo and countrywide.
Festival: Semana Santa / Easter week
Street parades.
Location: Central Montevideo.
Festival: Independencia
Independence day – celebration of Uruguayan culture – various activities.
Location: Country wide.
We strongly suggest that everyone planning to travel to Uruguay visits their local doctor/travel clinic prior to departure for the latest vaccination information.
British nationals do not need a visa for Uruguay.
Your passport need only be valid for at least the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required.
Non UK residents please check with the Uruguayan embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
The climate is mild, with temperatures that range between 23-35ºC in the summer months (Dec-Feb) and between 5 and 15ºC during winter (Jun-Sept).
During the summer, it’s pleasant and warm at the coast, with plenty of sunshine to enjoy for sun seekers on beaches.
As you move into the interior of the country, conditions become much hotter and more humid.
In Montevideo, you can expect mainly warm spring and autumn temperatures, although there are some cool days (especially early in the morning or at night) and perhaps some rainy days, too.
