Uruguay water crisis: how did we get here?
Uruguay has some of the most abundant water sources in the world. But the capital was told we had water supplies for just 18 days.
So what kind of vacation will you have in Uruguay?
The unassuming South American nation of Uruguay is off-the-radar to most Europeans and North Americans. But Brazilians and Argentines have been flocking here for over a century—millions of the world’s most infamous pleasure seekers can’t be wrong.
Roam the sandy streets of hippie hideaways next to the Brazilian border in Rocha, commune with thousands of seals in the Hebridean solitude of Cabo Polonio and chill out in Jose Ignacio, a laid-back fishing town frequented by the likes of Mark Zuckerberg and Shakira. Uruguay has an extremely short high season when glamour puss hot spots team with Brazilian magnates and Argentine super models. The remaining ten months of the year you’ll have the entire beach pretty much to yourself.
Read more about Uruguay’s beaches
Uruguayans refer to anywhere beyond Montevideo and the coast as “the interior” or “Uruguay profundo”. As you head into Deep Uruguay, the land is virtually untouched by development. You’ll cross more gauchos on horseback—South American cowboys—than cars. Take a few days to step back into a kinder, gentler time.
A few nights on one of Uruguay’s traditional cattle and sheep ranches known as estancias is unforgettable. There are options, from elegant country hotels to rustic farms, to suit all tastes and pockets.
Read more in the Guru’Guay Guide to Uruguay
If you’re wondering why you haven’t tried Uruguayan wine yet, it may be because the entire wine production of Uruguay is equivalent that of just one medium-size vineyard in neighbouring Argentina. Seriously.
A visit to a winery in Uruguay is still a uniquely friendly and personal experience. Your host will often be the actual owner or wine-maker, the great grand son or daughter of Italian immigrants. These are people who produce their award-winning wines themselves and bottle and label them by hand. There’s no standing on ceremony. No pomposity. Just love of wine.
Read more about Uruguay wines and wine country
Until five years ago “Uruguayan cuisine” was principally a slab of grass-fed beef accompanied by a ‘mixta’—a lettuce, tomato and onion salad. Noble ingredients. Super tasty. But simple. Things have really changed in the capital and on the coast with a boom in gourmet but still affordable eateries. Nowadays it is even relatively easy to be vegan.
Read more about food & drink in Uruguay
Uruguayans take pride in being a very egalitarian society. No one likes to stand out and that includes regarding attitude and dress. Uruguayans dress down even at the most exclusive of locations. At the beach and in the countryside the dress code is so laid-back as to be non-existent. Do yourself a favour. Leave the formal wear at home and save space for the wine you’re going to want to bring back.
Read more about the Uruguay way of life
Uruguay is in South America but it’s not tropical. It’s a temperate country with four seasons in the opposite order to seasons in the UK and USA.
December-February (our summer) are the hottest months with daily averages of around 90°F. Around New Year temperatures can rise above 100°F but just for a few days.
March-May (our fall) You can swim until April when the waters are warmest after heating up all summer. These months are particularly lovely weather-wise, days are mild (70°F), and there are frequent Indian summers.
September-November (our spring) With temperatures around 70°F, spring is a wonderful time to visit. It may be a bit cold for most people’s idea of swimming but it’s the prefect time to visit an estancia as the countryside is in full bloom with newborn animals.
June-August (our winter) Even during the coldest months, the average sunlight hours are 6-7 hours a day. And even if you hit rain, like Matt Landau of The Vacation Rental Show during his July visit to Montevideo, imbibe of the wine and live music.
Read more about the best time to visit for you
Equip yourself with the only travel guides ‘made in Uruguay’. Being so small, Uruguay typically gets relegated to a chapter in a guidebook to Argentina. It’s not because there’s little to do, it’s because up until now all the travel guides have been written by people who jet in for a few weeks. Now Uruguay has the guides that do it proud. The author of this website and the Guru’Guay guides is a Brit who has lived almost twenty years in Montevideo and has accrued all the contacts and secret destinations that only a local could have.
Uruguay water crisis: how did we get here?
Uruguay has some of the most abundant water sources in the world. But the capital was told we had water supplies for just 18 days.
Is Uruguay a developed country? Harvard moves Latin America HQ to Uruguay
Harvard University Business School opens Latin American research centre, praising Uruguay living standard and freedom of expression.
Montevideo Carnival 2024 dates
Hot off the press! The world’s longest carnival is in Montevideo Uruguay and we’ve got the dates.
Salón No. 3 – La Barra gourmet cuisine, cafe & deli
Gourmet lunches, speciality coffee & pastries, out of an antiques store. Smoked hams, artisanal cheese & local produce from the Expendio.
Casa Flor – live the Uruguay coast like a local (VIP)
One of the very best hotels in Punta del Este. Casa Flor’s well-connected owners give you access to the secrets of Uruguay’s coast most can only dream of.
Uruguay offers new digital nomad residency
Digital nomads and remote workers can now obtain a residency permit to work legally from Uruguay for six to twelve months.
Big Bang Nature Stays – Bohemian beach domes
Unique ocean-front location to reconnect with nature—with luxury touches—on one of Uruguay’s most deserted beaches in Maldonado.
8% of Uruguay is black—and maybe more
Afro-Uruguayans play a huge part in Uruguay’s cultural identity. Are they really just 8% of the population? The new census may correct the stats.
Gaucho week in Montevideo – Easter
Traditional food, handmade goods, and South American cowboys riding wild horses. It’s the Semana Criolla – Montevideo’s Easter gaucho festival.
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.
Uruguay has some of the most abundant water sources in the world. But the capital was told we had water supplies for just 18 days.
Harvard University Business School opens Latin American research centre, praising Uruguay living standard and freedom of expression.
Afro-Uruguayans play a huge part in Uruguay’s cultural identity. Are they really just 8% of the population? The new census may correct the stats.
Latin America is associated with Catholicism. As ever Uruguay is the outlier—with complete separation of church and state for over 100 years.
Beaches, classic car races and a bargain therapy session. We were delighted to get this email from one reader after his vacations in Uruguay.
The 1917 Constitution granted women the right to vote. Another Uruguay first. Though the story is of course more complicated.
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2 Responses
Me parece lamentable que definan a los compatriotas de sus países limitrofes como LOS MAS INFAMES DEL MUNDO. Como otros miles, mi tía argentina paga 1000USD por mes de expensas por su departamento de punta del Este, así califican a la gente que aporta un dineral a su estado y ayuda a su economía? Génial
Hola, Javier. Suponemos que llegaste a la versión en español del artículo, la cual es generada automáticamente y tradujo de forma errónea lo que dice en inglés. La palabra ‘infamous’ fue usada como lo opuesto a ‘famoso’ en este caso, y no como ‘infame’. Ya corregimos la traducción. Disculpas por el mal entendido y te agradecemos que nos lo hayas hecho notar. Saludos,
— Federico