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Are you the kind of person who loves going to places that no one else you know has been? In that case, I’ve got to recommend this travel itinerary in northern Uruguay. Close to the border with Brazil, there’s amazing wildlife, hiking, horse riding and gold and amethyst mines.
Here’s a Uruguay travel itinerary in the North. The starting point is the Lunarejo Valley. It’s a six hour drive from Montevideo. Lunarejo Valley is one of Uruguay’s most outstanding protected areas. You can hike to waterfalls, horseride and spot over 200 types of birds and mammals. A great place to stay is under the stars at Villa Pancha. The reserve is private and you must go with a guide.
You’re just an hour from Lunarejo to the Brazilian border. Day trip to the town of Rivera, which straddles the border, and don’t miss the Cerro Chapeu winery. It looks a bit like a spaceship and the winemaker Francisco Carrau has been named international Wine Legend by a British Master of Wine.
A couple of hours drive west also on the border lies Uruguay’s most norther department, Artigas—famous for sugarcane and amethysts. Uruguayan amethyst is of the best in the world. One giant one was exported to Australia as a meditation chamber. Just ten minutes drive south-east of Artigas totally off the beaten track with a winding drive through ancient hills covered with low forest and home to golden sandy loam soils, another super boutique winery to visit, Casa Tannat.
Finish your itinerary with a truly authentic Uruguay experience you’ll remember forever. Pair the amethyst mine with visiting the site of Uruguay’s gold rush which started in 1820. Drive south east just two hours to Minas de Corrales. You can still see the ruins and try panning for gold.
Whetted your appetite for adventure? 😄 Check out our Discover Uruguay page with suggestions for where to stay, food and drink, wine and wineries and things to do. And for way more information, way better organised, The Guru’Guay Guide to Uruguay 📖
Cover photo: Hiking in northern Uruguay
Namasté — Vegetarian restaurant in Montevideo
Namasté is more than just a vegetarian restaurant in Montevideo. This colourful, family-run spot has been serving vegetarian and vegan food since 2008. And the food is only part of the experience. Come for a relaxed meal, stay for the atmosphere, the friendly service and the chance to slow down for a while.
Dance tango in Montevideo and experience one of Uruguay’s most deeply rooted traditions.
Estancia Los Plátanos – Authentic 6th generation ranch
Venture into deep Uruguay to Estancia Los Platanos, a working ranch. Just 3 guestrooms—and there’s a gorgeous indoor pool.
Nominate your favourites for the 2027 Montevideo Guru’Guay guide
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Ignacio Fuentes, RE/MAX – Recommended Montevideo realtor
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Home to Uruguay’s biggest rose collection, this 200 year west Uruguay estancia is the perfect destination for outdoor adventure or a wedding.
Martín Pescador – Sierras ranch 1 hr from ocean
Just an hour inland from the beaches of Punta and José Ignacio, the perfect Uruguay estancia, horse riding and trekking.
Uruguay LGBT rights – A trailblazer for over a century
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TEFL Uruguay: new qualification for foreigners and Uruguayans to teach English abroad
TEFL Uruguay comes to Montevideo in 2027: Four-week face-to-face training for foreigners and English-fluent locals.
Expats in Uruguay spill the beans: What life is really like
We interview foreigners in Uruguay who moved here from principally English-speaking countries so you can learn from their mistakes.
Venture into deep Uruguay to Estancia Los Platanos, a working ranch. Just 3 guestrooms—and there’s a gorgeous indoor pool.
For 200 years, estancia San Pedro de Timote has been the pride of Uruguay. Today it’s a historic country hotel where you can go riding and meet gauchos.
Essential information so that your stay in Colonia del Sacramento fits into your travel schedule as you travel between Buenos Aires and Montevideo.
Looking for a Uruguay travel itinerary that will take you to some unforgettable locations in the east coast? Here’s your plan.
Looking for a Uruguay travel itinerary that will take you to some unforgettable locations in the east coast and inland? Here’s your plan.
Traditional food, handmade goods, and South American cowboys riding wild horses. It’s the Semana Criolla – Montevideo’s Easter gaucho festival.
