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.
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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.
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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.
Hotel Solís – A historic, coastal B&B
Live a piece of history in what may become one of the best hotels in Uruguay.
Il Tano Suites – 420-friendly Punta del Diablo hotel
Your suite with private deck, close to secluded beaches, next to Pdd’s best restaurant. Probably the best value of all Punta del Diablo hotels.
Academia Uruguay – Learn Spanish in Uruguay
If you’re planning to move to Uruguay, who better to learn Spanish with than native Uruguayan teachers? Online and face-to-face options.
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 is a friendly welcoming Montevideo bar and brewery making some of the best craft beer—particularly IPAs and German-style lager.
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.
If you’re planning to move to Uruguay, who better to learn Spanish with than native Uruguayan teachers? Online and face-to-face options.
A tiny Maldonado winery producing some of Uruguay’s finest wines. Alto de la Ballena pioneered wine making in Uruguay’s most up-and-coming wine region.
Taste 100% natural Uruguay wines at one of Uruguay’s youngest, coolest and most experimental wineries 30 mins from the capital.
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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