When I told people that I’d be visiting Uruguay, the biggest question I’d get is “why”. It’s not a popular destination, but that doesn’t mean that the country isn’t worth visiting. The beaches are some of the best anywhere in South America and if you like wine, Uruguay has some great ones. Plus, it’s a carnivore’s delight with so much delicious meat.
I spent two weeks in Uruguay as part of a much longer trip through South America. I stuck to the coast during my trip, but that was enough to tell me that Uruguay has some incredible, underrated beaches.
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What to Do | Know Before You Go | Transportation | Budgeting |
Solo Female Travel & Safety
The Best of Uruguay
Montevideo | Colonia del Sacramento | Punta del Este | Cabo Polonio | Punta del Diablo
Montevideo
Montevideo is the capital and largest city in Uruguay. If you’re flying into the country, this is where you’ll start. It’s an interesting city, located right on the water, and while not the most exciting city I’ve every visited, there’s definitely a few great things to see here.
Colonia del Sacramento
Colonia del Sacramento gets my vote for the prettiest town in Uruguay and that’s because of its UNESCO World Heritage Old Town. The streets are gorgeous and walking them is a delight.
Punta del Este
Known as the “Miami of Uruguay”, this city is a popular vacation destination for Uruguayans and international travelers alike. It’s a modern city with plenty to do. So whether you visit on a day trip or spend the night, you’ll find some fun things to do.
Cabo Polonio
My favorite area in Uruguay is Cabo Polonio. This national park is protected and so unique. Cars are banned so you’ll take a dune buggy into the park where you’ll find a community that’s off grid and living a much simpler life. It’s a great place to relax and unwind for a few days. Just don’t expect any luxuries.
Punta del Diablo
Uruguay has no shortage of beach towns and I chose to spend my time in Punta del Diablo. The beach is great, but there’s also a nearby national park that makes a fun day trip.
Know Before You Go
Currency – Uruguayan Peso (UYU).
Language – Spanish. Learn some basic Spanish before you visit Uruguay. While you will likely be able to find English at your hotel (but it’s not a guarantee), it’s best to have at least a basic understanding of Spanish. Do not expect to hear a lot of English.
Power – 110 V and 60 Hz (same as the United States).
Tipping – Your service charge is typically include in the cost of your meal, so tipping is generally not expected. However, if you had a fabulous experience, a small tip is appreciated.
Water – In parts of Uruguay, the tap water is not safe to drink. Either stick to bottled water or bring your a filter/purifier. I used a Steri-Pen for my trip and treated all of my water and didn’t get sick once.
Transportation
Travel in Uruguay was much easier compared to other destinations within South America, which is a delightful treat.
By Rental Car – Compared to other destinations within South America, Uruguayan roads are actually calm and orderly. While I still think it makes sense to use public transportation for most of your time in Uruguay, if you’re planning to visit small towns along the coast, a rental car may be a more convenient option.
By Bus – I traveled through Uruguay exclusively by bus and was able to get everywhere I wanted to go. Buses connect the larger cities frequently, but may be more limited when trying to access smaller towns. For some routes, I had more luck putting together a bus with a connection rather than trying to find a direct bus. buses.uy proved to be a great resource, though you should always verify the bus schedules on the actual website.
Budgeting
Uruguay was on the more expensive end of the scale when it comes to traveling South America. It can be a shock to the system, depending on where you’re coming from. I think it can still be affordable, but it’s more expensive than you’re probably expecting.
Accommodations – Hotels are more expensive than you are probably expecting, particularly in popular beach destinations. Uruguay had some of the most expensive hotels I had during my five months in South America. Though, with some research, I was able to typically find a place for about $50 USD per night (though don’t expect luxury).
Food – Food prices, like everywhere in the world, will vary wildly. You can find street food for cheap or sit down to a nice meal. I utilized a mix of grocery stores and restaurants and averaged $20 USD per day.
Transportation – Transportation is not cheap and in general, I paid about $30 USD every time I needed to move hotels. This was a combination of buses and the occasional taxi (which was necessary in Montevideo).
Activities – The price for activities varies greatly depending on what you want to do. Rental bikes and guided walking tours cost me about $15 USD per day. Museums can cost $10 to $15 per site (though you should always check). A day trip from Montevideo to Punta del Este cost me $40 USD.
Solo Female Travel & Safety
I’ve spent two weeks in Uruguay as a solo female traveler. It should be noted that I don’t drink alcohol and I try to avoid going out after dark (though I made a few exceptions in Uruguay). However, I felt very safe throughout my time in Uruguay. I’d say that Uruguay is the country in South America where I felt the safest. I still kept my guard up, but I was able to relax a bit more than many other countries.