Squeezed in between Brazil and Argentina, Uruguay is a well-developed little corner of South America with an exclusive Atlantic seafront. Montevideo, a capital of effortless class, is dotted with Spanish and Italian-style colonial architecture and set around wide, palm-lined boulevards that extend to the waterfront.
Explore: Montevideo • Punta del Este
The interior of the country is dominated by the Rio Negro, which gives the country its name, meaning river of colorful birds.
What’s Cool
Huge slabs of tasty steak, tolerance of ethnic and sexual diversity, low crime rates, rubbing shoulders with the jet-set at Punta del Este and the country’s motto—liberty or death!
What’s Not
Rampant anti-Americanism, driving at night without headlights, seaside rip-offs, lacking mountain scenery compared to the rest of the region and the ghost town feel along the coast in winter.
When to Go
Given Uruguay’s position far south of the Equator, there is a marked difference in the temperature between seasons. The summers, between October and February, are just right—warm and sunny with a little rain. The winters are much cooler, but never reach freezing.
Festivals & Events
Lots of tango is the order of the day during Uruguay’s many festivals. Here is a selection of some of the most vibrant:
February: Montevideo and Punta del Este celebrate the Goddess of the Sea Festival in which thousands make offerings dressed in blue and white robes.
March: the Festival of Gaucho kicks off for a week with lots of horses, rodeos, barbecues and dancing out in the open air.
June: the town of Tacuarembó goes mad for a week in honor of the father of tango, Carlos Gardel, who was born here in 1883.
August: Uruguay’s Independence Day on the 25th is a national holiday and time for everyone to let loose with lots of good food and dancing.
Getting There
Montevideo is easily accessed from across South America. To get anywhere outside of the region, you will most probably have to change in Buenos Aires or Sao Paulo, among other major regional hubs.
Cross-border travel is very possible from Argentina by boat or land, and in the north, buses also go to and from Brazil.
Hitch-hiking is fairly common in rural areas of the country and should not get foreign travelers into too much trouble providing you know where you’re going.
Around towns and cities, buses are taxis are the norm—taxi drivers are also likely to treat you fairly, a shock to the system for those used to traveling elsewhere in Latin America.
Health & Safety
With the lack of gang violence and high crime rates that have made big cities in neighboring Brazil and Colombia notorious, Uruguay in comparison is considered tame. Sensible driving has only added to the country’s reputation.
That said, petty theft is still a problem in Montevideo and other areas that are popular with tourists. The tap water is safe to drink and health services are of a high standard compared to the rest of the region.
Some travelers have reported strong anti-American sentiments which can surface late into any alcohol-fuelled night, so when in doubt, pretend you’re Canadian.