A less known former Spanish colony in South America that used to be one of the wealthiest countries in the world, Uruguay has maintained a touch of luxury through the difficult years of the 20th century. Today, Uruguay has developed into a popular regional tourism destination, offering varied attractions from the vibrant city life of Montevideo to beach attractions and ecotourism destinations.
Beach resorts in Uruguay are also quite popular. Punta del Este is home to endless beaches, scenic coastal landscapes, luxurious yachts, fascinating mansions, seaside boulevards and sunny climate. It is the place to be if you want to spot the rich and famous of South America enjoying the friendly touch of the Uruguay sun, and plenty of water sport facilities. In contrast to this popular resort, Punta del Diablo is a much more quiet place, offering sandy beaches and charming surroundings of a small next-to-nature fishing village.
The main airport of Uruguay is located near Montevideo and has best flight connections available to Brazil, Spain and the United States. In addition to airways, Uruguay is also reachable by ferry from Argentina and by road from Argentina and Brazil. Main roads in Uruguay are in good shape, and as there are no long distance trains available, the main form of public transport in Uruguay is bus.
Lively capital and high-end beach resorts: Attractions of Uruguay
Located in South America between Brazil and Argentina, Uruguay is a small but diverse Latin American country. The most famous of the travel destinations in Uruguay is its coastal capital Montevideo that is one of the safest big cities in South America. Montevideo offers lively surroundings for a city holiday with good shopping and entertainment facilities around. The city is also filled with historical attractions offered mainly by the Old Town, and with some enjoyable beaches suitable for relaxing in between the city activities. While in Uruguay, see also the charming colonial town of Colonia del Sacramento and the festivals of local Gaucho (cowboy) culture in Tacuarembo.Beach resorts in Uruguay are also quite popular. Punta del Este is home to endless beaches, scenic coastal landscapes, luxurious yachts, fascinating mansions, seaside boulevards and sunny climate. It is the place to be if you want to spot the rich and famous of South America enjoying the friendly touch of the Uruguay sun, and plenty of water sport facilities. In contrast to this popular resort, Punta del Diablo is a much more quiet place, offering sandy beaches and charming surroundings of a small next-to-nature fishing village.
Practical information for your trip to Uruguay
The climate in Uruguay is subtropical with hot summers and mild winters. During the summer months (December-March), weather in Uruguay is warm and usually sunny, whereas the winters (June-August) are faced with high temperatures of around 15°C. Rainfall in Uruguay is quite evenly distributed over the year. Uruguay is a year-round destination, but the best time to travel to Uruguay is during the summer, when the country enjoys frequent sunshine and temperatures are quite pleasant.The main airport of Uruguay is located near Montevideo and has best flight connections available to Brazil, Spain and the United States. In addition to airways, Uruguay is also reachable by ferry from Argentina and by road from Argentina and Brazil. Main roads in Uruguay are in good shape, and as there are no long distance trains available, the main form of public transport in Uruguay is bus.
Photo: ErniePhoto, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
However, some local trains are available inside Montevideo, and taxis are widely used within the cities as well.
Safety. Although pick-pocketing and car thefts are not uncommon, Uruguay is a quite safe country, especially if compared to its bigger neighbors. However, you should keep your valuables hidden when getting around in Uruguay. It is also advisable to stay away from Montevideo's suburb areas during the night. You should also be aware of the chaotic local traffic and keep a photocopy of your passport available when moving outside in Uruguay.
History and culture of Uruguay
Uruguay is a former Spanish colony that is also familiar with Brazilian Portuguese influences. This small South American country was one of the first Spanish colonies to gain independence, which happened as early as 1828. After this, Uruguay developed into a wealthy export-oriented country in the late 1800s, but its excellent economic situation was disturbed by the great depression in the 1930s, which created problems and internal restlessness in Uruguay.Wealthy country. In the 1960s Uruguay saw the rise and fall of an urban guerilla movement, the Tupamaros, and of military control, which was replaced by civilian rule in 1985. Today, Uruguay is one of the richest countries in the Americas and hosts a proud population mainly of European descent. However, it is still recovering from a major financial crisis in the early 2000s.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Montevideo, Punta del Este
