Uruguay tours – Private city tours of Montevideo, Colonia & Punta del Este
When you want to experience the best of Uruguay’s most emblematic cities—with a guide genuinely excited to personalise the tour just for you.
Advertising
Uruguay is wedged between Argentina to the west and Brazil to the east. By South American standards, Uruguay is a small country, but remember – distances are BIG in this part of the world.
From Buenos Aires, you can take a direct ferry to Colonia (1 hr) or Montevideo (2.25hrs). You can travel by bus from Colonia to Montevideo in just over 2 hours after enjoying a stop-off in Colonia.
A lesser-known option is the picturesque daily ferry from the Tigre Delta in Buenos Aires to Carmelo in Uruguay. The Línea Delta is now owned by Buquebus.
From Córdoba or Rosario, there is an overnight bus several times a week.
Flying from Buenos Aires to Montevideo takes 40 minutes but I don’t recommend it.
To choose what’s best for you, I recommend you read my article on the different options for getting to Uruguay from Argentina and why I don’t recommend flying. I look at the most leisurely, fastest and cheapest ways.
Having trouble using those ferry sites to find prices? They are impossible! I’ve produced a little matrix on ferry prices.
If you do decide to fly make sure you read my article on airline companies to avoid.
You are likely to want to fly. It takes 2.75 hours to fly from Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to Montevideo .
Porto Alegre, the Brazilian city nearest the Uruguayan border, is a a ten-hour bus journey though to be honest the price difference between flying and the bus is usually negligible, and so I would recommend the one-hour flight.
I do not recommend driving to Uruguay from Porto Alegre. Rental companies will not allow you to cross borders (this is the same for Argentina). In addition, the route from Porto Alegre to Chuy on the Uruguayan border goes through fairly uninspiring countryside and is a two-lane road crowded with enormous produce-filled juggernauts. It makes for extremely stressful driving.
See my article on airlines flying to Uruguay.
There is a 24-hour bus from Iguazú to Montevideo.
There are no direct flights to Uruguay. You have to fly via Buenos Aires (Aerolineas Argentinas) or São Paulo (TAM). With a good connection it will take you apx 6 hours.
If you are on holiday and looking to relax, I’d recommend staying overnight in Buenos Aires to break the trip.
Montevideo’s Carrasco International Airport is 15 miles (apx 25 km) from the centre of Montevideo, a 30-40 minute cab ride into town, depending on where you are staying. Traffic is very rarely a problem, but calculate a few minutes more around rush-hour or at the start of a long weekend. Check out your options for getting into Montevideo city centre from the airport and vice versa.
If you are travelling the continent you should read about the time zone differences between Uruguay and the rest of South America. Since October 2015, there is no longer a difference in time between Buenos Aires and Uruguay.
To dig further into Uruguay and Montevideo, Guru’Guay has published two guidebooks filled with up to date, useful information. These are Amazon bestsellers, the only international guidebooks available about Uruguay written by someone who actually lives here. Also, you won’t find a dry list in them – these guidebooks are full of passion and soul.
Get yours now: the Guru’Guay Guide to Montevideo and the Guru’Guay Guide to Uruguay: Beaches, ranches and wine country
[Article first published: Jun 18, 2017. Lots of people read it, so we keep it as up to date as possible]
Advertising
Uruguay tours – Private city tours of Montevideo, Colonia & Punta del Este
When you want to experience the best of Uruguay’s most emblematic cities—with a guide genuinely excited to personalise the tour just for you.
Montevideo tours – Tango, Football & the Carnival Whisperers
Your private Montevideo cultural tour and gateway to carnival, an authentic tango joint or a soccer match with a great local guide.
Cabaña Verónica – Great steak & Uruguayan asado
The Port Market—Disneyland for carnivores—is not to be missed but avoid tourist traps! At Verónica’s, you’re guaranteed great steak & Uruguayan asado.
Trekking in Uruguay – El Gavilán, Valle del Lunarejo nature reserve
Trekking, horseback riding, nature photography, birding in one of the most outstanding protected areas in Uruguay, Valle del Lunarejo.
Varela Zarranz – Uruguay wine history & sparkling wines
One of Uruguay’s oldest wineries, Varela Zarranz is just 50 min from the capital. Winner of 150+ awards, it’s famous for its sparkling wines.
Índica Beer – Great little Montevideo bar & brewery
Índica Beer is a friendly welcoming Montevideo bar and brewery making some of the best craft beer—particularly IPAs and German-style lager.
Uruguay Citizenship – It’s been 23 years but I’m finally applying!
It’s been a long time coming, and I’m so excited to finally be starting the process of applying for Uruguay citizenship.
How to get from the Montevideo airport to the city
The Montevideo international airport is 15 miles from the city centre. You can take a taxi, shuttle or bus. The most common way is private transfer.
Bodega Cerro Chapeu – Uruguayan wine legends
Led by a “winemaker legend”, Cerro Chapeu is a must-do Uruguayan wine destination. In the wild middle of nowhere, it is a shock to discover such an exciting, modern winery, say experts.
Caballos de Luz – Horseback riding in Uruguay sierras
This ‘million star’ B&B in the hills minutes from the coast offers exciting horseback riding & delicious vegetarian food.
Guru’Guay looks at the fastest, cheapest & most relaxing ways of going Uruguay to Argentina and back by ferry, plane and bus.
With no direct flights from the United States, what are your best options for flights to Uruguay from Miami, USA?
Planning a day-trip to Colonia from Buenos Aires? Guru’Guay looks at the ferry options, price of tickets, schedules. And reasons to stay longer.
There’s been some confusion around whether it’s necessary to have health insurance to enter Uruguay since recent changes to travel requirements. We explain.
We check out recent prices for the ferry between Buenos Aires, Argentina and the Uruguay capital, Montevideo.
The Guru gives you her honest take on airlines flying to Uruguay from the USA, Europe, Buenos Aires, Argentina & the Iguazu falls. UPDATED.
Proudly made in Uruguay
Follow us
Subscribe
To receive two emails a month about travel, life and sometimes investment opportunities in Uruguay
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
What’s your interest in Uruguay?
Travel interests
Store
About us
Guru’Guay is part of UruguayNatural, the official country brand of Uruguay
Proudly made in Uruguay
Follow us
Subscribe
To receive two emails a month about travel, life and sometimes investment opportunities in Uruguay
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
© Guru’Guay 2013 – 2023. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission.
Language
6 Responses
Can you tell me the name of the carrier that operates the 24-hour bus from Iguazú to Montevideo? Also, is that bus available from Montevideo to Iguazú, thanks!
Hi Collin, sure we’ll look into that for you. When do you need the info by? — best, Team Guru’Guay
We’ll be arriving in early March. We considered renting a car, but aren’t sure about the ease and safety of driving through that region of Argentina from Uruguay.
Thanks
I’m not aware of any car rental companies in Uruguay which will allow you to cross the border into Argentina in their vehicle. — Karen
I’m driving a motorcycle from Belem, Brazil to Montevidio, Uraguae like to known best route to take most paved road. Best fuel stops. Any help greatly appreciated
Hi Gary – exciting! The best paved route from Brazil to Montevideo will be the Ruta 9 from Chui. There are plenty of gas stations on the way. Best — Karen