Self-drive Uruguay: Classic highlights

When's the best time to visit Buenos Aires?

Buenos Aires is at its hottest Jan-Mar (very humid with tropical showers, occasionally over 40C during the day). It can be cold and cloudy Jul-Aug, so weather conditions are best for a visit in spring and autumn. Dec-Feb and Jul are local holiday times: Porteños head for the beach.

What's the official language in Buenos Aires?

Spanish.

How do I get local currency in Buenos Aires?

Argentine Peso.

Notes can be withdrawn from the many ATMs using a UK credit or debit card. Limits may be lower than your UK bank allows. Please note that in 2016 many of the ATMs were not functioning properly; we are recommending that for the moment you take a good supply of US dollars cash. There are many banks and money exchanges (casas de cambio) where you can exchange US dollars cash; rates for euros and sterling frequently poor. 

What's the time difference between Buenos Aires and the UK?

GMT -3 hours. Sometimes daylight saving is observed in the summer, but this is announced ad hoc on a year-on-year basis.

What places combine well with Buenos Aires?

Beach time in Mar del Plata (392 km by road, 5hrs); Colonia or Montevideo in Uruguay across the River Plate: travel by ferry, bus or plane; a stay on a working estancia in the pampa south and west of the city; Iguazú Falls (2hrs approx by air).

How long is the flight to Buenos Aires from the UK?

Average flight time is 14hrs 20mins on a direct flight from London. There are also flights requiring a change of plane in Europe or the USA.

What are the festivals and cultural and sports events in Buenos Aires?

Tango Festival: Aug. The world's – top tango festival, nine days  of concerts, shows, free classes, exhibitions, open-air milongas (Avenida Corrientes is closed for a massive display) and other tango-related festivities.

Opera season: Mar-Dec. Take in a concert or opera at the refurbished Teatro Colón which attracts internationally esteemed artists. 

Argentine Polo Open: Mid Nov-mid Dec. Polo is a passion for many Argentines. This is the year’s main attraction, taking place in Palermo’s 16,000 seater stadium.

When to go

Language

Spanish.

Getting local currency

Time difference

GMT -3 hours. Usually daylight saving is observed in the summer (GMT -2 hours), from Sep - Oct to early Mar, the date set by presidential decree.

Combines with

A day or two in the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo, 2.5 - 3 hours by road; beach time at Punta del Este (5 - 6 hours by road); Buenos Aires, Argentina, there are daily direct ferries (45mins and 3 hours).

Getting there

Colonia is a 2.5 - 3 hours drive from Montevideo. There’s a weekly 15mins flight from Buenos Aires and daily ferries from the Argentine capital (45mins and 3 hours).

When to go

Montevideo has cool winters (May - Sep), warm summers and unpredictable springs (Oct - Nov); there are numerous thunderstorms but no tropical cyclones. Rainfall is regular and evenly spread throughout the year. Winters are generally damp, windy and overcast, while summers are hot and humid (range 15-28°C).

Language

Spanish.

Getting local currency

Uruguayan Peso. Notes can be withdrawn from the many ATMs in the city using a UK credit or debit card. Limits may be lower than your UK bank allows. There are also many banks and exchange houses where you can exchange US dollars cash; rates for euros and sterling are frequently poor. In some places US dollars may be accepted as currency.

Time difference

GMT -3 hours. Usually daylight saving is observed in the summer (GMT -2 hours), from Sep - Oct to early Mar, the date set by presidential decree.

Combines with

Argentina, accessing Buenos Aires from Montevideo by air (50mins), road (8 hours) or ferry (2-3 hours); Brazil, with flights to various southern cities especially in summer; beach time at Punta del Este (2.5-3 hours by road). 

Getting there

Average flight time to Montevideo is 17.5 hours.  There are no direct flights from the UK. Some routes involve a change of plane in Brazil, Europe or the USA. The city is a 2.5 hour ferry ride from Buenos Aires. You can fly there from Foz do Iguaçú (for the Falls) in Brazil.

Key events

When to go

Punta del Este has a mild climate influenced by the Atlantic Ocean with agreeable summers and cool winters. It rains on and off throughout the year, slightly less in Nov - Dec. The hottest month, Jan, has an average temperature of around 22°C. In winter the temperature may fall to 6°C. The resort is very crowded and expensive Dec - Feb. Mar - Apr is much quieter and services more economical but it’s still pleasant on the beach. Many places are closed Apr - Nov however.

Language

Spanish.

Getting local currency

Uruguayan Peso. Notes can be withdrawn from ATMs in the resort using a UK credit or debit card. Limits may be lower than your UK bank allows. There are also many banks and exchange houses where you can exchange US dollars cash; rates for euros and sterling are frequently poor. In some places US dollars may be accepted as currency.

Time difference

GMT -3 hours. Usually daylight saving is observed in the summer (GMT -2 hours), from Sep - Oct to early Mar, the date set by presidential decree.

Combines with

Discovering Patagonia in Argentina, accessing Buenos Aires via Montevideo by air (50mins), road (8 hours) or ferry (3 hours); Brazil, with flights from Montevideo to various southern cities especially in summer; a stay on one of Uruguay’s traditional family-run estancias. 

Getting there

The resort is a 2.5-3 hour drive along the coastal highway from Montevideo.