Travel to Uruguay: Medical insurance mandatory
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.
Piriápolis is a small beach resort mainly frequented by Uruguayans, just over an hour’s drive from Montevideo.
It has a long promenade and a slightly faded 1950s air – its charm in my view.
The beach is wide and flat and as the water is extremely calm and shallow it’s an ideal spot to take small children.
The Hotel Argentino, the art-deco gem, was South America’s largest—and most glamorous—resort in the 1920s and is an iconic part of Piriápolis.
There is a chairlift up the San Antonio Hill which can be fun if hair-raising – it looks rather precarious – let me just say I’ve braved it myself and never actually heard of an accident 😉 The view from above of the bay is stunning.
1. Piriápolis is a good destination for people looking for a no frills, relaxing, maybe even nostaglia-filled, holiday. If you are like me you will feel like you’ve stepped back into one of the seaside resorts of your childhood.
It’s an excellent option for families with young children (teenagers will find it boring unless they are with friends of their own age – and can roam free – then they will LOVE it) and adults looking for simple pleasures. Plan to hire a house rather than stay at a hotel.
2. It is a great day trip/beach destination from Montevideo.
If you’d like to see some of the Uruguayan coast and don’t have much time, this is probably your best option. Piriápolis is charming, accessibly sized to walk all over and the bus station is just a few blocks from the beach.
Buses leave Montevideo for Piriápolis every 30-60 minutes and take 1.5 hours. You can check the bus timetable online.
Photos: Many thanks to the generosity of resident Piriápolis photographer Olga Rivero Hernández who takes splendid shots with the aim of getting her town known – more power to her. See more of her work online at Piriápolis en Fotos
Travel to Uruguay: Medical insurance mandatory
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.
My 9-day vacation in Uruguay: Intrepid reader writes
Beaches, classic car races and a bargain therapy session. We were delighted to get this email from one reader after his vacations in Uruguay.
Uruguay women first to get vote in Americas
The 1917 Constitution granted women the right to vote. Another Uruguay first. Though the story is of course more complicated.
Montevideo is often overshadowed by Buenos Aires. Three well-travelled bloggers tell what made them fall in love with South America’s off-the-radar capital.
What do Uruguayans think about foreigners?
A 2023 survey reveals that Uruguayan attitudes to immigrants are very different to other polarised parts of the world.
Verne – Fine dining in an aromatic herb garden
Outdoor dining at Verne, five mins from the airport, is a surprising feast for the senses and will please everyone.
Montevideo Carnival 2023 dates
Uruguay carnival is back in 2023! The world’s longest carnival returns to Montevideo. We’ve got the when and where.
Smokewood Garzón – Magical 50-acre off-the-grid vacation rental
This magical 50-acre modern off-the-grid oasis is one of the best places to stay in Uruguay.
Uruguay Festivals – Sea Goddess Day on February 2
It’s Yemanjá Day on February 2. Don’t miss this special festival of the Goddess of the Sea at Playa Ramírez in the Parque Rodó neighbourhood.
Getting around: buses, taxis and walking
Getting around like a local. Flag down the bus—or it won’t stop. Don’t tip your taxi driver—but don’t expect him to load your luggage! Essential maps.
Some beaches are just so darn popular. Tips for when & how to get best rates on hotels and rentals in Uruguay.
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.
Under an hour from the capital lie some of the Uruguay’s best kept secrets, because most of the tourists are… Uruguayan.
The capital of Uruguay has beaches with fine white sand, great for paddling or swimming, kitesurfing, with fairgrounds, and wheel-chair access.
Without a doubt, Rocha has some of the very best beaches in Uruguay. And they’re almost totally deserted for virtually ten months of the year.
Argentines and Brazilians LOVE ‘Punta’–it’s Uruguay’s glamour puss beach resort. So you may be surprised at some of our must-do things to do.
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
9 Responses
Hi ! I am a Uruguayan who lives in New York City. When I saw your story on Facebook, I shared it because I loved it. My country is small but people with a big heart live !! I would love to contact you, I wish you the best! Hugs
Mariela, so lovely to hear from you! You must have come to me thanks to my article in El Pais. Join our newsletter and we’ll be in touch every month! — All the best Karen Besos de Montevideo!
Hello!! I’m a Piriapolense by choice (I’ve lived here for more than 20 years) and I loved your article on our city. Just so you know, we have a very large community of foreigners here in Piriápolis, especially Canadian, English and German. I guess they love our quiet and peace.
You have a really wonderful site, and your love for my country shows in every article. Thank you for portraying it so well!!
Dear Ana Laura, nothing makes me happier than to get positive feedback like yours from Uruguayans. THANK YOU. You have made my day. — Karen
Hola! De camino a PIRIAPOLIS pasas por balneario solís. Te recomiendo visitarlo e incluirlo en tu página web ya que fue elegido desde el año 1930 por la colectividad inglesa como destino de vacaciones. Algunas familias aún viven permanente también. Es residencial y tranquilo, con jardines amplios y un creciente circuito gastronómico de fin de semana (tres restaurantes). Te adjunto nuestro website x más info. : solisgrande.com
Gracias, Gustavo. Tengo una muy amiga quien tiene casa en Solís así conozco, inclusive almorcé en Garni. Una nota es pendiente, claro. Beso!
Hi Welshwitch!
I´am uruguayan living in Sweden. I also lived in Great Britain like you. I just found your site through a facebook friend.
I just wanted to pass by and say that you´ve done a great job. I will recomend the site to friends that wish to know about Uruguay but can not speak spanish..
Have a great week-end.
Daniel
Daniel, nothing makes me a happier than a Uruguayan who is happy with Guru’Guay 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to write and for recommending to your friends. Btw, did you see that I just (yesterday!) published a guide on Montevideo? The link is here https://guruguay.com/product/guruguay-guide-to-montevideo-2020/ All the best, Karen
My wife & I are arriving in Montevideo on Jan 21,2016. We have an apartment across the street from the market.
We are spending 5 weeks in Uruguay, we want to get a full Carnival Experiance. We are both veterans of Toronto’s Caribana Festival.
Is there a site that has all the venues, streets, and different groups on it.
We will be in town on the afternoon of the 21, how do we get to see the first parade that night?
I would also like to go to Playa Chihauhau for that all over tan.
I can’t figure out what bus would take us there, could you help.
Your site is very helpful and I would like to drop by some day when we are there and meet you and say thank you. Counting down the days till we are there.
Gracias