Uruguay may not pop up as one of your first destinations for a holiday in South America, but the second-smallest country in the region features a lively capital, fascinating biodiversity and artisans offering high-quality souvenirs sure to increase the weight of your suitcase.
City tours, vibrant markets and working farms in compare trip packages Uruguay
Tours of Uruguay begin and end in Montevideo, with many travellers opting for a combined itinerary with Argentina. When you compare trip packages Uruguay, you will find activities such as orientations of Punta Del Este and Montevideo with knowledgeable local guides, three-day stays on estancia working farms, and visits to the Carnival Museum.
Travellers also enjoy free time to see – and eat up a storm at – Mercado Del Puerto in Montevideo, while those continuing to Argentina have the benefit of included ferry travel.
Ready to plan your trip? Visit our compare trip Uruguay to find the right tour for you.
Want a taste of that insider Uruguay tourism knowledge we mentioned before? We have collected the best facts from real life tour guides. Impress them on tour with how much you already know.
- At 176,000 km2, Uruguay is the second smallest country in South America behind only Suriname.
- 1.8 million of Uruguay’s 3.4 million population live in the capital city of Montevideo.
- The resort city of Punta Del Este is a popular summer destination on the Atlantic Coast, whose population swells during summer thanks to the number of tourists choosing to holiday there.
- Uruguay’s interior is populated with cattle ranches and farms, reflecting the fact that beef and wool are their two biggest exports.
- The Rio de la Plata river forms part of the border between Argentina and Uruguay, with the capitals of Buenos Aires and Montevideo just a ferry ride apart across this important body of water.
- Colonia del Sacramento is one of Uruguay’s oldest towns, and is known primarily for its historic UNESCO World Heritage Listed old quarter built by both Portuguese and Spanish colonists.
- Cabo Polonio is a tiny hamlet accessible only through its mobile sand dunes by foot or 4×4 vehicles, and home to a human population of less than 100 people – along with a colony of sea lions.
- As with most South American nations, football is by far the most popular sport with notable players such as Luis Suárez, Diego Forlan and Gus Poyet.
- Singer Carlos Gardel and band Los Shakers are two of Uruguay’s most celebrated musical contributions.
- Painter Pedro Figari, writer José Enrique Rodó, poet Mauricio Rosencof and actor Jorge Drexler are some of Uruguay’s best-known cultural and entertainment influences.
- Manos del Uruguay – meaning ‘hands of Uruguay’ – is a non-profit organisation promoting the work of women in rural areas, selling their designs and handmade clothing in major European markets such as the Netherlands, Belgium and France.
- Uruguay is a major producer of high-quality leather, making it a great place to learn about the process and pick up a special souvenir.
- Nostalgia Night is celebrated on August 24 every year, and involves clubs, broadcasting stations and dedicated events playing only ‘golden oldies’.
Courtney Gahan is a serial expat, traveller and freelance writer who has bartered with Moroccan marketeers, seen the sun rise at Angkor Wat and elbowed her way through crowds on NYE in NYC
