Uruguay tours – Private city tours of Montevideo, Colonia & Punta del Este
When you want to experience the best of Uruguay’s most emblematic cities—with a guide genuinely excited to personalise the tour just for you.
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In a world where democracy is under threat, The Economist ranked Uruguay the most democratic country in Latin America. Uruguay is one of the few countries in the world to reject an obligatory lockdown during the pandemic.
The Economist has ranked Uruguay in 15th place in the world 2020. According to The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index 2020, Uruguay the most democratic country in the Latin American and Caribbean region.
The Economist notes, “Democracy was dealt a major blow in 2020. Almost 70% of countries covered by The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index recorded a decline in their overall score, as country after country locked down to protect lives from a novel coronavirus. The global average score fell to its lowest level since the index began in 2006.”
Though the report does not mention this, Uruguay is one of the few countries in the world where the government appealed to the nation’s sense of responsibility and rejected an obligatory lockdown.
The index categorises countries as full democracies, flawed democracies, hybrid regimes and authoritarian regimes. Uruguay, Chile and Costa Rica are considered the only ‘full democracies’ in the region.
Uruguay moved up from 15th in 2019 to 8th in this edition of the index with an overall score of 8.61 out of 10. It is ranked as a “full democracy”.
Uruguay scored a perfect ten in “electoral process and pluralism”. This is all the more notable as 2020 was the year that a new governing coalition took power in March and of departmental (or state) elections later in the year which went ahead despite the pandemic.
In “civil liberties” Uruguay scores 9.71, 8.13 in “political culture”, 6.67 in “political participation”, and in “functioning of government” 8.57.
In 2020, Uruguay is the top-ranked country in Latin America and the Caribbean, followed by Chile (17th), Costa Rica (joint 18th), Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil and Suriname.
The bottom five in the index are Bolivia, Haiti, Nicaragua, Cuba and Venezuela.
Uruguay regularly tops the democracy index. Since the index started in 2006, Uruguay’s score has improved consistently every year (see page 25 of the report).
“The regression was largely the result of measures taken by governments to address the public health emergency caused by the pandemic of the new coronavirus (Covid-19), which has meant the suspension of civil liberties for entire populations for prolonged periods”, the report notes in its introduction.
Uruguay is one of the few countries in the world where the government appealed to the nation’s sense of responsibilityand rejected an obligatory lockdown. Instead citizens have been relied upon to social distance and mask use is obligatory in shops and other public places. Infection rates remained close to zero for the first nine months of the pandemic.
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Uruguay tours – Private city tours of Montevideo, Colonia & Punta del Este
When you want to experience the best of Uruguay’s most emblematic cities—with a guide genuinely excited to personalise the tour just for you.
Montevideo tours – Tango, Football & the Carnival Whisperers
Your private Montevideo cultural tour and gateway to carnival, an authentic tango joint or a soccer match with a great local guide.
Cabaña Verónica – Great steak & Uruguayan asado
The Port Market—Disneyland for carnivores—is not to be missed but avoid tourist traps! At Verónica’s, you’re guaranteed great steak & Uruguayan asado.
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.
Harvard University Business School opens Latin American research centre, praising Uruguay living standard and freedom of expression.
Latin America is associated with Catholicism. As ever Uruguay is the outlier—with complete separation of church and state for over 100 years.
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.
A 2023 survey reveals that Uruguayan attitudes to immigrants are very different to other polarised parts of the world.
Montevideo is the capital of the friendliest country in South America. Get to know Uruguay’s version of ‘Pride’—known as the Diversity March.
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