Balbuena Wines – Wine tasting in Montevideo
Great little wine store is a mandatory stop for Uruguay wine tasting in Montevideo with a selection of 130+ Uruguayan wines.
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Why are hotels in some parts of Uruguay so expensive? I hear this a lot. It’s not universal but it’s true to say that in a handful of Uruguay’s most sought-after beaches, hotel and vacation rental prices are significantly more expensive than you might expect, especially when coming from North America or Europe.
In the smaller, most popular beach resorts—José Ignacio, Punta del Diablo, Cabo Polonio, La Barra and La Pedrera—accommodation rates can triple and even quadruple in peak high season.
Why does this happen? It’s simple laws of supply and demand. These resorts are very small and in demand. Demand outstrips supply.
In an exclusive spot like José Ignacio, prices in general are higher than the market average. It’s a tiny peninsula just six blocks long by six blocks wide with a permanent population of 300. During a peak season weekend thousands of visitors will flock to the beach in José Ignacio. So there’s little surprise that a simple mid-century holiday home in this ‘haute hippie hideaway’ can rent for 70,000 USD a week.
The tourism season has historically been very short in Uruguay—stretching in its entirety from Christmas to Easter. As a consequence, many hotels—and restaurants—aim to make a killing over 3-4 months—and then close down entirely for the rest of the year.
It’s not great for customers, nor for job security in the hospitality industry and something here at Guru’Guay we are working to change. However it is the reality on the ground for now.
In addition, costs are high in Uruguay. Labour costs, particularly employment taxes, are high. Utilities are expensive.
If you’re from North America or Europe, you may be asking yourself this. Here’s the deal. Uruguay is particularly popular with our neighbours and has been so in some cases for over a century.
Argentines have been holidaying in Uruguay for over a century. The beaches have much lovelier white powdery sand and warmer water than in Argentina, where the oceanic beaches are much further south.
Brazilians love the safety they feel on holiday in Uruguay. They can swan out in their jewellery, leave stuff on the beach and go for a walk.
In recent years Paraguayans and Chileans have also flocked to Uruguay. Paraguay is landlocked. Chile suffers the same issue with their beaches as Argentina.
Want to get more of this insider knowledge? It’s in the Guru’Guay Guide to Uruguay
In your favour is that foreigners are not charged VAT on hotel stays.
Cover photo by Jimmy Baikovicius
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Balbuena Wines – Wine tasting in Montevideo
Great little wine store is a mandatory stop for Uruguay wine tasting in Montevideo with a selection of 130+ Uruguayan wines.
Treehouse Ecolodge – La Barra eco-hotel
Your treehouse perched in a pine-forest 2 minutes from the beach. The most unique La Barra hotel experience ever.
Cabo Polonio – Lost island in a sea of dunes
Deserted beaches, rocky islands heaving with baying seals & tiny colourful shacks. Cabo Polonio, Uruguay is unforgettable.
Pisano Wines Uruguay – Kings of Tannat
Pisano Wines, an award-winning Uruguay winery, exports to 48 countries but they don’t do tours. They’re too busy ‘cooking’ wine.
Posada del Minero – Explore north Uruguay & the gold rush
Unique things to do in Uruguay: hike ‘flat top hills’, taste very rare wines and pan for gold in north Uruguay.
Fly Uruguay – Plane tours & flights
Treat yourself to a scenic flight or helicopter over the Uruguay coast or fly inland to a winery or estancia. Private flights between Uruguay & Argentina.
Tax free Uruguay: Benefits for non-residents
Automatic tax reductions on car hire, restaurants and hotels when you use your international credit card in Uruguay. Big savings.
Wine Explorers – Private Uruguay wine tours
Private Uruguay wine tours & tastings. The unique wineries will be the highlight of your travels. Plus monthly group excursions for expats.
Bizarre Uruguay celebrations: Nostalgia Night
Could Uruguay be the only country in the world with a state-sanctioned celebration of “golden oldies”? Bring on the Bee Gees!
Living in Uruguay – Moving to Carrasco, Montevideo
Hallie moved from the US to Carrasco, Montevideo’s high-end neighbourhood. She works full time and has just had a baby. What are the costs?
Deserted beaches, rocky islands heaving with baying seals & tiny colourful shacks. Cabo Polonio, Uruguay is unforgettable.
Automatic tax reductions on car hire, restaurants and hotels when you use your international credit card in Uruguay. Big savings.
Between Christmas & New Year, Montevideans leave town in droves. So what to do you do? There’s still the beaches, tango, fireworks and… water fights!
It’s a good idea to know when public holidays in Uruguay are as most shops close. Public transport is also limited but to a lesser extent.
We check out recent prices for the ferry between Buenos Aires, Argentina and the Uruguay capital, Montevideo.
In Uruguay you can watch whales close-up from the beach. Save yourself an expensive trip to Patagonia & feel great that your viewing generates zero stress.
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2 Responses
is there an updated version for 2023? We are heading to Uruguay at the end of March.
Hi Katie, this article was written this year so it’s the latest info. Best, Karen