Of all the destinations we offer in South America, Uruguay is the most European in appearance, outlook and lifestyle.
Take the short hop across the River Plate from Buenos Aires, and you’ll discover an understated, laid back and gently tumbledown, bohemian charm that is hard to pin down, but which many visitors nevertheless find intoxicating.
Maybe it’s the light, or a sense that time has stretched, but days in Uruguay have a special quality to them—almost as if one is returning to the childhood of one’s dreams. You’ll feel it when you’re galloping across a sprawling estancia with a local gaucho guide, catching a right-hander on one of its surf-pounded Atlantic beaches, or enjoying a lazy gourmet lunch at a seasonal Jose Ignacio pop-up. You’ll experience it as you explore its country lanes in a classic vintage car in search of delicious artisan foods and wines, among the crumbling colonial façades of Montevideo and Colonia, or at a country rodeo.
"Uruguay really comes into its own as a place to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of life."
The playful spirit of Uruguay’s people is often reflected in the accommodation on offer. Indeed, the country has some of the most stylish, individual and charming places to stay anywhere in South America. The best tend to be run by hands-on owners who personally welcome you and really go the extra mile to ensure you have an unforgettable time. It might be in the shape of a design hotel in Montevideo used as a base for exploring the cultural delights of the capital. It could come in the form of a boutique winery or a restaurant-with-rooms that introduce you to Uruguay’s gastronomic pleasures. Or you could choose a chic private beach villa as your pied-a-terre while partying in Jose Ignacio.
And there are plenty of old-school options too, from charming inns in cobbled Colonia del Sacramento to traditional estancias deep in the interior that offer the best of outside living. The great outdoors provides an arena for a plethora of active adventures available for those who wish—sailing, hiking, kayaking and riding being among the most popular—but Uruguay really comes into its own as a place to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of life: good food, good music and good company, along with a healthy dose of hedonistic escapism.