Uruguay holidays
Uruguay holidays at a glance
Our Uruguay holidays take you to South America’s best-kept secret, a small, friendly country wedged between Argentina and Brazil. While its neighbours grab the headlines, Uruguay offers a quieter, more refined trip, with 660km of Río de la Plata and Atlantic coastline, one of the continent’s best-preserved colonial towns and a distinctly European feel.
Most holidays begin with a ferry from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento, the country’s oldest town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where vintage cars sit beneath flowering trees. From here you’ll work east to Montevideo, the waterfront capital, then on to the Atlantic beaches, from glamorous Punta del Este to laid-back José Ignacio.
Scratch the surface and its South American character shows through, in the tango clubs, the gauchos still working the land and the tradition of sharing mate. Add boutique wineries producing excellent Tannat and a welcome that puts visitors instantly at ease, and you have a country made for taking your time.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Uruguay
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
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.
When to visit Uruguay
Uruguay has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, and travel is pleasant at almost any time of year. Seasons run opposite to the UK, so the warm summer months fall between December and March. Each season has its own character.
This is the warmest and driest time of the year to visit and is perfect for horse riding, wine tasting and visiting the beach. If you’re heading for the coast, November is a great time to visit as it’s much quieter – in December and January make sure you book ahead. February / March is also carnival meaning plenty of festivities across the country.
From March Uruguay’s autumn begins. However, the sea is generally at its warmest in April and May, making it a good time to visit the beaches. Once the winter months kick in in June (to September) Uruguay is much quieter making it a good time to visit the cities and towns and also to spot southern right whales.
Places to visit in Uruguay
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 from Buenos Aires to Colonia, then work east along the coast. Here’s where we recommend spending your time.
Montevideo
Set on the Río de la Plata, Montevideo combines rich heritage, great food and wine, and a laid-back atmosphere influenced by centuries of European immigration. Founded in 1726, the city pairs a historic old town with a vibrant waterfront. From cobbled streets to traditional asados by the water, Montevideo offers an authentic taste of Uruguay.
Colonia and Carmelo
Cobbled streets, and a slow pace on the banks of the Río de la Plata, that’s the UNESCO-listed town of Colonia del Sacramento. Just an hour away, Carmelo trades cobblestones for vineyards, with wineries, and some of Uruguay’s best food. Together they make a rewarding Colonia holiday packed into one small corner of the country.
East of Montevideo, Uruguay’s coastline turns glamorous. Punta del Este divides the calm River Plate from the Atlantic, with smart hotels, casinos, boutiques, bars and restaurants. 40 minutes further along and you land in José Ignacio, a former fishing village turned stylish hideaway. Punta del Este holidays cover everything from full glamour to total escape.
Top Things to do in Uruguay
From tasting Tannat at family-run vineyards to riding out with gauchos and exploring colonial streets by classic car, Uruguay’s experiences are intimate, unhurried and full of character. Here’s what we recommend.
Accommodation in Uruguay
Uruguay’s accommodation suits every style, from boutique hotels in restored colonial buildings to beach resorts and countryside estancias. In Colonia, character hotels fill old colonial homes, while the Carmelo region pairs winery lodges with vineyard settings. Along the coast, properties range from the polished luxury of Punta del Este to the laid-back charm of José Ignacio, and across the interior, working estancias welcome guests into rural life.
Narbona Wine Lodge offers a gourmet experience at a typically Uruguayan estancia.
A mid-range colonial property with many historical features, which sits close to Colonia’s pretty main square.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Holidays to Uruguay
From expertly designed Private Journeys to trail-blazing Escorted Group Tours, browse our range of carefully crafted holidays to Uruguay.
Group Uruguay Tours
Our group tours follow expertly designed, well-planned routes with an experienced local guide throughout. Prefer to keep it to your own party? Book the same trips privately for four or more.
Jabiru: Wildlife, wine and Jesuit Missions
Places visited: Buenos Aires · Colonia and Carmelo · Montevideo · Asuncion and the heartland · The Jesuit Missions of the south · Ibera wetlands
14 days from £5,249
Tailor-Made Uruguay Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Self-drive Uruguay: Classic highlights
Places visited: Buenos Aires · Colonia and Carmelo · Montevideo · Punta del Este beaches and coastline
13 days from £3,175
Signature Uruguay: Land of vintage charm
Places visited: Buenos Aires · Colonia and Carmelo · Montevideo · Punta del Este beaches and coastline
14 days from £4,100
FAQs about visiting Uruguay
Uruguay is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- 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).
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