Little Uruguay is a friendly, tranquil country bordering its much larger neighbours, Argentina and Brazil. The landscape is mostly rolling plains and low hills - lush pasture for the beef cattle for which the country is famed. It is often visited as a side trip from Buenos Aires by air or hydrofoil across the Río de la Plata.
Most visitors flock to its glorious 660km of coastline of white sand beaches. Best known is the sophisticated resort of Punta del Este - renowned for its ostentatious wealth and celebrity visitors.
In the lively waterfront capital of Montevideo, modern skyscrapers jostle with art deco and colonial buildings. Stick around and you’ll discover a thriving cultural and entertainment scene.
Uruguay also boasts one of Latin America’s best preserved colonial towns, the port of Colonia del Sacramento – an easy day excursion from Buenos Aires.
There is also a growing network of estancias, such as El Charabon, Posada de Campo La Vigna and San Pedro de Timote, where visitors can relax for a few days, observe the gauchos at work or ride the excellent quality horses at their disposal.