Exploring Epic Uruguay

Duration 10 days
Price guide
From
  PP
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Coastal urban scene at sunny day in Montevideo city, Uruguay
Postcard view of the beach and the lighthouse. Jose Ignacio, Maldonado, Uruguay
Aerial view of Buenos Aires cityscape at sunset with Congress building in focus.
Uruguay may be small in comparison to its neighbours, but it is a country home to great beaches, vast swathes of vineyards and a scattering of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This ten-day trip takes you from Buenos Aires to this often overlooked corner of South America and shows you exactly what makes it so special.

Trip highlights

  • Discover Buenos Aires one of the world's greatest cities
  • Visit the glamorous resort of Punta del Este
  • Explore the peaceful village of La Barra on the Uruguayan Riviera
  • Wind your way through the streets of UNESCO Colonia del Sacramento
  • Take a wine tour of Uruguay's western vineyards
  • Enjoy the best of Montevideo on a walking tour

Our bespoke trips include

We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:

  • Luxury accommodation throughout
  • Privately guided tours
  • Private transfers
  • Meticulously selected experiences
  • Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
Black and white illustration of two guides pointing to a building in the distance
Exploring Epic Uruguay
Price guide
  PP

Itinerary in detail

Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.

Days 1–3

Discover the wonders of Buenos Aires

You’ll start your adventure with two nights in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires, exploring its bustling streets, wonderful heritage and vibrant restaurant scene. Centre of the world’s fifth-largest economy at the turn of the 20th Century, Buenos Aires has an abundance of classical architecture and tree-lined boulevards reminiscent of its European counterparts.

For those wanting an altogether more relaxing experience we can also arrange stays at our selection of handpicked estancias set in the Pampas outside of the city.

Aerial view of Buenos Aires cityscape at sunset with Congress building in focus.
Days 3–6

The chic beach resort of Jose Ignacio

Up the coast from Punta and La Barra is this cool beach spot popular amongst the rich and ‘in the know’ of South America. Jose Ignacio village with its understated sandy tracks mixed with modern beach houses, excellent restaurants and great bars make it an elegant and unmistakably cool place to relax.

 

Postcard view of the beach and the lighthouse. Jose Ignacio, Maldonado, Uruguay

Make it mine

Beaches

Countryside

Coastline

A tour of Punta del Este

Punta del Este is home to beaches, elegant seaside homes, high-rise apartment buildings, luxury hotels and glitzy restaurants. This tour will take you through the main attractions, including the Juan Gorlero Avenue, the artisans’ market, the port, the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria church and the lighthouse.  Stopping in Punta Ballena you will see Casapueblo, a unique and quirky building constructed by the famous Uruguayan artist, Carlos Paez Vilaró. Here you will see the most stunning views of the ocean and a spectacular sunset.

An olive oil tasting and vineyard tour

Enjoy a tour around the olive plantations and factory at Colinas de Garzon, where you will see how the humble olive is turned into one of the world’s finest ingredients. You’ll get to taste the olive oil along with wine and local cheeses. You will then head to Bodega Garzon, one of the biggest in the country, and enjoy a tour around the vineyards and winery, where you will get to taste the wines. Finally, you will enjoy a three-course lunch with wine and coffee.

Relaxing in La Barra on the Uruguayan Riviera

Over the bridge from Punta del Este, La Barra with its surf beaches and colourful houses is an exclusive yet quiet, semi-rural suburb. With its fair share of celebrity visitors and elite countryside estates, the peaceful village of La Barra enjoys a less crowded stretch of coastline.

Days 6–7

Overnight in Montevideo

Capital of South America’s second smallest population, Montevideo has a presence and sense of culture that belies the small population of the country. There is a rich mix of architecture here, drawn from the influence of the various Europeans who chose to settle in the city, from the British to the Spanish and French, making it a fascinating city to explore on foot. Take a guided tour to see the highlights of Montevideo, including the Old City, the Gaucho Museum and the traditional Port Market, perhaps seeing Candombe performances, art galleries and visiting the different craft shops of the area. Finally, stroll through the neighbourhoods of Carrasco, Punta Gorda and Pocitos and the lovely Rambla along the coastline.

 

Coastal urban scene at sunny day in Montevideo city, Uruguay
Days 7–10

An off-the-beaten-track wine destination

Enjoy three nights in Carmelo, a wonderfully relaxed city on the River Plate and an ideal getaway for those looking for an alternative to the busier parts of the Uruguayan Riviera. The 100 acres of vineyards around Carmelo, make it only slightly smaller than the country’s largest wine regions, with a microclimate perfect for grape growing. The wine production here is small and often family-run, adding to its charm. Along with wine tasting, the surrounding areas offer numerous outdoor pursuits from canoeing and polo, to fishing and horseback riding.

Make it mine

History

Wine tasting

Colonia del Sacramento Uruguay

A tour of Colonia del Sacramento

Today you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, Colonia del Sacramento. Wind your way through the stone streets discovering the fort, Spanish and Portuguese houses, and the port. You’ll also explore the downtown area and the Rambla, which borders the Old City and where you’ll fine the Real de San Carlos where the Plaza de Toros, the Hipodromo and the old harbor can be seen.

A wine tour of Western Vineyards and Jesuit ruins

Visit La Calera de las Huerfanas, Jesuit ruins located in the outskirts of Carmelo. It was the Jesuits who first planted vines within this estancia and began the history Uruguayan wines in this region.

“Fabulous Argentina/Uruguay journey‌”

I just returned from a perfectly planned/executed journey to Argentina & Uruguay thanks to the excellent team at Jacada. David Corvacho Puente helped us plan a perfect trip and Carlos Machado made sure it was run without problem on the ground. We wanted a relaxing time in Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Jose' Ignacio with a few side trips. David's suggestions…

Published 21st March 2023 on Trustpilot
Pam (USA)

Why book with Jacada

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Personalised design

We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.

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Authentic experiences

Our expert guides and brilliant concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.

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Positive Impact

We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.

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