Visit friendly Uruguay, with its welcoming ranches, superb beaches and one of Latin America’s best-preserved colonial towns – on a tailor-made holiday with Journey Latin America.
Uruguay is a friendly country with a lively capital city and fantastic white sand beaches. Uruguayans are justly proud of their glorious 660km of coastline. Best-known is the sophisticated resort of Punta del Este, renowned for its ostentatious wealth and celebrity visitors. In the vibrant waterfront capital of Montevideo, modern skyscrapers jostle with art deco and colonial buildings. The city has a thriving cultural and entertainment scene. Uruguay also shelters one of Latin America’s best-preserved colonial towns, the port of Colonia del Sacramento – an easy day excursion across the River Plate from Buenos Aires.
South America’s best-kept secret
Wedged between Argentina and Brazil, Uruguay remains South America’s best-kept secret. While its neighbours steal the headlines, this compact nation offers a quieter, more refined travel experience. We’ll discover cobbled colonial streets, empty Atlantic beaches stretching for miles, and rolling countryside dotted with traditional estancias where gauchos still work the land.
Uruguay holidays offer something quite different from the rest of South America. There’s a distinctly European feel here, from the café culture to the Italian and Spanish influences in the architecture and food. Yet scratch the surface, and we’ll find authentic South American character – in the tango clubs, the passion for football, and the tradition of drinking mate tea gathered with friends.
Travellers rate our tours 97% on AITO and 4.9/5 on Tripadvisor!
Visit Uruguay for…
From UNESCO-listed colonial towns and Atlantic beaches to wine country and gaucho culture, Uruguay packs a surprising amount into a compact, easy-to-explore country.
- Glorious beaches and coastline – 660km of white sand stretching from glamorous Punta del Este to the windswept dunes of Cabo Polonio, with laid-back José Ignacio in between.
- Colonial heritage – Wander the cobbled streets of Colonia del Sacramento, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where vintage cars sit beneath flowering trees and sunsets glow over the River Plate.
- Wine and food – Taste Uruguay’s signature tannat wines at boutique wineries near Carmelo, and sample legendary grass-fed beef at Montevideo’s Mercado del Puerto.
- Gaucho culture – Stay at working estancias in the rolling countryside, ride horses across open grasslands and share slow-cooked asados under vast skies.
- Montevideo’s buzz – Art deco architecture, candombe drumming, parrilla grills and South America’s longest carnival celebrations in a waterfront capital with real character.
- Easy to combine – Just a short ferry ride from Buenos Aires, Uruguay slots naturally alongside Argentina for a two-country trip across the River Plate.
Why Uruguay with Journey Latin America?
We've been planning trips to Latin America since 1980 – and our team have lived, worked and travelled across the region ever since. That firsthand knowledge means we'll help you find the destination that suits you, from the routes worth taking to the places worth staying.
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Uruguay holidays and tours
At Journey Latin America, we offer a range of tailor-made holidays to Uruguay, from family holidays to luxury travel and group tours. These include our Self-drive Uruguay, taking in classic sights such as Buenos Aires, Colonia, Carmelo, Montevideo and Punta del Este beaches. Or consider our Jabiru Group Tour, which visits Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. For a more in-depth exploration, our Signature Uruguay: Land of vintage charm combines the country’s coastal highlights with time in Buenos Aires. Speak to one of our Uruguay Travel Experts to start planning.
Group - Discovery
Argentina / Uruguay / Paraguay
Jabiru: Wildlife, wine and Jesuit Missions
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Private Journeys
Argentina / Uruguay
Self-drive Uruguay: Classic highlights
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Private Journeys
Argentina / Uruguay
Signature Uruguay: Land of vintage charm
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Places to visit in Uruguay – expert tips and advice
Uruguay’s compact size makes it easy to combine colonial towns, wine country, the capital and Atlantic beaches in a single trip. Most holidays begin with a ferry crossing from Buenos Aires to Colonia, then work east along the coast.
The little port of Colonia is the oldest town in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while sleepy Carmelo is popular for golf and fine wines.
The cultural melting pot of Montevideo is home to monumental public buildings, a historic core and lively port area.
The coastline east of Montevideo has huge dunes, rocky capes and yawning stretches of soft sand.
Places to stay in Uruguay
Uruguay offers accommodation to suit different styles, from boutique hotels in colonial buildings to beach resorts and countryside estancias. In Colonia, restored colonial houses create intimate character hotels. The Carmelo region combines winery accommodation with countryside settings. Along the coast, properties range from the sophisticated luxury of Punta del Este to the laid-back charm of José Ignacio. For an authentic rural experience, working estancias across the interior welcome guests to experience gaucho culture.
Awasi Iguazú is a first class superior lodge offering exclusive, personalised guided adventures from luxury accommodation.
Welcoming, modern little hotel that offers a good value base for exploring Iguazú Falls.
First-class property of understated elegance on the jungle-lined road to Iguazú Falls with excellent facilities and sophisticated design.
When to visit
Uruguay enjoys a temperate climate year-round, with mild winters and warm summers. The weather is generally pleasant for travel in any season, though each period offers a different experience.
A guide to the seasons
Summer (December-March) brings warm temperatures around 25-28°C, ideal for beach holidays. This is peak season – expect higher prices and crowds, particularly during Carnival celebrations. If you’re heading for the coast, book ahead for December and January.
Spring (September-November) and autumn (April-May) offer the best balance: temperatures of 18-24°C, fewer crowds, and excellent conditions for exploring colonial towns, wine tasting and city sightseeing. November is a particularly good time to visit the coast before the summer rush.
Winter (June-August) is mild at 10-14°C. While not beach weather, this is prime time for spotting southern right whales off Uruguay’s coast, and a quieter period for visiting cities and towns. The wettest months tend to be July and August.
Around February-March, Uruguayans celebrate Carnival with parades, live music and general frivolity, particularly in Montevideo. Some festivities continue for over a month.
Start planning your Uruguay holiday today
You can contact our Travel Experts if you feel inspired to book a holiday. We have over 40 years of experience in organising award-winning trips to Central and South America, so you can trust us to book an exciting trip for you.
Things to do in Uruguay
From tasting tannat wines at family-run vineyards to exploring colonial streets by vintage car, Uruguay’s experiences are intimate, unhurried and full of character.
Join in the festivities at Latin America's Mardi Gras street carnival in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Discover the eclectic mix of architecture in Montevideo's Ciudad Vieja (old town).
Enjoy a chauffeur-driven ride in a vintage or classic car in Montevideo or the Uruguayan wine country.
If you’ve never tasted Tannat, Uruguay is the best place to start.
FAQs about visiting Uruguay
When is the best time to visit Uruguay?
Uruguay is an all-year destination, but probably best enjoyed in summer (Nov-Feb). The weather is mild all the year around. Temperatures range from 10-16oC in the southern hemisphere winter, while in the summer they hover in the mid-20s. Wet and windy conditions outside high summer are not unheard of, and can make it feel very chilly. Rainfall is moderate and varies little over the year, apart from Jul-Aug when there are prolonged wet periods.
What is the official language of Uruguay?
The official language of Uruguay is Spanish.
What is the official currency of Uruguay?
The official currency of Uruguay is the Uruguayan Peso. Cards are widely accepted. By using your credit card you may qualify for automatic partial VAT rebates to overseas tourists – check your statement. Some US Dollars cash will also come in handy. US Dollars cash is easier change into Pesos than Sterling/Euros and Dollars may also be accepted if you do not have any Pesos. There are ATMs in larger towns (subject to charges).
What is the time difference between Uruguay and the UK?'
The time difference between the UK and Uruguay is GMT-3 hours. Usually daylight saving is observed in the summer (GMT -2 hours), from Sep/Oct to early Mar. The date is set by presidential decree.
Do I need a visa for Uruguay?
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate. If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.
What vaccinations do I need for Uruguay?
Please check Travel Health Pro for information on health recommendations and vaccinations for the destinations you are visiting. Please note that many Latin American countries require proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever if you have recently travelled to another country where Yellow Fever is present.
Which other countries combine well with Uruguay?
Argentina Combines well with Uruguay. Accessing Buenos Aires from Montevideo by air (50mins), road (8 hours) or ferry (3 hours), there’s a ferry from Colonia to Buenos Aires (45mins); Iguazú Falls, Brazil, 3 hours by air.
How long is the flight between Uruguay and the UK?
The average flight time to Montevideo is 17.5 hours. There are no direct flights from the UK. Some routes involve a change in Brazil, Europe or the USA.
What are the festivals, cultural and sporting events of Uruguay?
Carnival; 5 days in Feb/Mar, variable. Live bands, costume parades and general frivolity in towns and cities, especially Montevideo. In the Barrio Sur, where the black Afro-Uruguayan population lives, there are condomblé ceremonies (traditional religious rituals from Africa).
Expert tips on visiting Uruguay
“Don’t rush through Uruguay on the way to somewhere else. Give it at least a week – hire a car, explore the wine country around Carmelo, and spend a few nights on the coast at José Ignacio. It’s a country that rewards a slower pace.”
Ready to plan your 2026/27 Uruguay holiday?
You can contact our Travel Experts if you feel inspired to book a holiday. We have over 40 years of experience in organising award-winning trips to Central and South America, so you can trust us to book an exciting trip for you.
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