Easy-going and full of surprises – one of Latin America's most underrated countries

Sandwiched between the mighty Argentina and Brazil, Uruguay is often overlooked by tourists, but this compact country packs enough of a cultural and aesthetic punch to warrant greater attention. What’s more, its size and sophisticated infrastructure – it’s one of the most economically developed countries in South America – means it’s a pleasingly convenient destination too, making flitting between the popular coastal beaches, the rolling countryside plains and the lively cities pretty effortless.

There are numerous memorable experiences waiting to be discovered throughout Uruguay. Wander the cobbled streets of Colonia del Sacramento to see the jumble of Spanish and Portuguese influences, go wine-tasting at one of the country’s boutique bodegas or head to the coast at Punta del Este for a dose of the sun, sand and sea.

Uruguay has the beaches, lively resorts, chic beachfront hotels and laid-back shoreline posadas that you won’t necessarily find in Argentina, so the two countries are great combined if you’re looking for a little bit of everything.

From our experts

Experiences picked by our destination specialists

Eat and swim in Punta del Este

toggle accordion

Discover the beaches and restaurant scene of former fishing village, Punta del Este

Walk Montevideo's mix of architecture

toggle accordion

Spend some time admiring the rich mix of architecture in Montevideo

Stroll the cobbled streets of Colonia del Sacramento

toggle accordion

Stroll along the cobbled streets of Colonia del Sacramento, learning about the country’s naval and colonial history

A word from one of our experts

For its small size, Uruguay carries a lot of style and sophistication. This is particularly exemplified in the chic and trendy ‘Uruguayan Riviera’, a popular weekend and holiday getaway for Argentineans where designer hotels mix with a relaxed and informal seaside vibe. Choose from countryside hotels, arty retreats and quaint posadas to keep you away from the crowds or get fully involved in the boutique beachfront properties. A country that excels in delicious cuisine (wine, cheese and beef) too, this is a delightful country.
Delfina Russo headshot
Delfina Russo

Travel Designer

Luxury accommodation in Uruguay

There are many incredible places to stay in Uruguay. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

Jose Ignacio

Estancia Vik
Estancia Vik is an extraordinarily creative marriage of a traditional Uruguayan ranch with contemporary artistic flair, design and imagination. The Hispanic adobe structure has 12 rooms each individually designed and decorated by a different, famous Uruguayan artist making every suite a very visual and sensory experience. Their en-suite bathrooms are all wonderfully intricate and modern with hand-made wooden bath tubs, mosaic walls and stone carved basins. Every room seems to grab you and whilst you might not ever think to put this there or hang that there, you appreciate that this is very uniquely Uruguayan and the entire property is an unashamed dedication to its multi-faceted culture and style. The striking BBQ room is adorned with corrugated tin and slashed with paint and graffiti-like drawings. The main sitting room has a surrealist map of the country on the ceiling, huge rock gems mined from the north on its walls and a large marble sculpture by the celebrated sculptor Pablo Atchugarry right in the centre. The red brick dining room and wine cellar is heavy with the traditional but this makes for a very warming and atmospheric place in which to dine on their deliciously delicate food and well selected wines. Outside, an arched patio elegantly frames the sweeping views across the pastures and where the sun loungers sit next to a fresh water swimming pool, which has lights embedded in the bottom that mirror the sky’s constellations above. The estancia’s estate covers 4,000 acres of the Jose Ignacio countryside marked by rolling pastures, lagoons, copses and the views from the rooms play these out nicely. Also the choice of activities is broad and encourages you to make the most of the outdoors. The team of staff here are all local residents with a true passion for the area and its way of life – you will feel quite at home.
Discover more

Why book with Jacada?

Personalised design illustration image

Personalised design

We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

Authentic experiences illustration image

Authentic experiences

Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

Responsible travel illustration image

Responsible travel

Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

Trip Inspiration

Get inspired with our Uruguay example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure

Luxury South America Food and Wine Tour

21-Day Trip

Luxury South America Food and Wine Tour

From
$0 pp

21-Day Trip

Luxury South America Food and Wine Tour

Dine, taste, sip and savour your way through Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Brazil with the finest food and wine experiences
From
$0 pp
Exploring Epic Uruguay

10-Day Trip

Exploring Epic Uruguay

From
$0 pp

10-Day Trip

Exploring Epic Uruguay

Spend two nights exploring Argentina's capital, then head to Uruguay for beaches, vineyards and UNESCO World Heritage Sites
From
$0 pp
Ready to plan your adventure?

Whatever you want from your Uruguay adventure, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Where to go

Carmelo thumbnail

Carmelo

This serene spot along the River Plate is an ideal getaway for those looking for an alternative to the busier parts of the Uruguayan Riviera.

Read more
Colonia del Sacramento thumbnail

Colonia del Sacramento

Thick with naval and colonial history, this is a quiet and very pretty riverside retreat after the bustle of Argentina’s capital city.

Read more
Jose Ignacio thumbnail

Jose Ignacio

Sandy tracks mixed with modern beach houses, excellent restaurants and great bars make this beach village an elegant and unmistakably cool place to relax.

Read more
La Barra thumbnail

La Barra

The best way to describe La Barra is an exclusive yet quiet, semi-rural suburb on the edge of Punta del Este, and part of the popular ‘Uruguayan Riviera’.

Read more
Montevideo thumbnail

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.

Read more
Punta del Este thumbnail

Punta del Este

A former fishing village, Punta del Este has grown to be one of the more glamorous resorts in South America and favourite of the Argentine Gliterrati.

Read more

Meet your Latin America team

When to visit

November through til April is the time to go, although in January it can become busy along the coastline. Temperatures vary in the peak season (December to March) from 24°c (75°f) to 28°c (82.5°f). The winter months of June, July and August see a dip in temperatures, with highest average temperatures between 15°c (59°f) to 18°c (64.5°f).

Beach holiday

December–February

Carnival

January

Hiking

June–August

When Is the Best Time to Visit Uruguay?

When Is the Best Time to Visit Uruguay?

Read more

Plan your trip to Uruguay

Whatever you want from your adventure in Uruguay, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Start planning

Don't take our word for it

Your trip, your story

We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.