Best Things to Do in Uruguay

Uruguay is South America’s most underrated destination for travelers: between the overexposure of Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, this compact, prosperous, and stable country often escapes the itinerary. The things to do in Uruguay range from Montevideo’s excellent weekend feria (open-air market), excellent Mercado del Puerto, and genuine tango culture to Colonia del Sacramento’s cobbled UNESCO streetscapes, the Punta del Este resort glamour, the surf villages of Punta del Diablo and La Paloma on the Atlantic coast, and the wine estates of Canelones and Carmelo producing some of South America’s most interesting Tannat. Uruguay’s great selling point is also its most underappreciated: it works. Public services function, the food is excellent and safe, crime is low by South American standards, and people are genuinely welcoming.Best time to visitDecember through February is the summer season: beach weather, Punta del Este at its glamorous peak, and the festive atmosphere of Carnival (Montevideo’s Carnival is the world’s longest, running from January to early March, with the candombe drumming processions and murga theater companies). March through May is autumn: smaller crowds, comfortable temperatures (18-24°C), and the best produce at farmers’ markets. June through August is winter: cool (8-14°C) and quiet, with some coastal services reduced. September through November is spring: mild, uncrowded, and excellent for Colonia and Montevideo. Carnival (January-March) and the Vendimia wine harvest festival (March-April in Carmelo and Canelones) are the key calendar events.Getting aroundMontevideo’s Carrasco International Airport (MVD) is the main gateway, with direct connections from Buenos Aires, São Paulo, and Miami. Buenos Aires (across the Rio de la Plata) is accessible by Buquebus ferry (3 hours to Montevideo, or 1 hour to Colonia with connecting bus). Within Uruguay, long-distance buses (CUT, Copsa, and others from Tres Cruces bus terminal) connect Montevideo to Punta del Este (2 hours), Colonia (3 hours), Carmelo (3 hours), and Punta del Diablo (4 hours). A car is the most flexible option for touring the coast and wine regions.What to eat and drinkUruguay’s food is dominated by beef (the asado, slow-grilled over wood coals, is the centerpiece of social life) and the chivito (Uruguay’s national sandwich: a thick steak with egg, ham, cheese, and various garnishes — a serious meal in a bun). The Mercado del Puerto in Montevideo is the most atmospheric place to eat asado: a covered iron market hall where grill restaurants line the perimeter and the smell of wood smoke fills the air at lunchtime. For wine, the Tannat grape (originally from southwest France, transformed in Uruguay into a softer, more fruit-forward style) is the national variety; the Familia Deicas, Pisano, and Carrau wineries in Canelones are the best-established; Carmelo (120km west of Montevideo) has a growing luxury wine tourism scene. The Mercado Agóra in Pocitos and the Feria de Tristán Narvaja (Sunday street market) are Montevideo’s best food and culture events.Top things to doColonia del Sacramento – A UNESCO World Heritage town 170km west of Montevideo on the Río de la Plata, the best-preserved Portuguese colonial town in South America. The Barrio Histórico (historic quarter) has cobblestone streets, the ruins of a Portuguese fortification, and a lighthouse — it can be walked end-to-end in 2 hours. The ferry from Buenos Aires makes it a popular Argentine day trip; staying the night allows a more relaxed exploration.Mercado del Puerto, Montevideo – The most celebrated food experience in Uruguay: an 1868 cast-iron market hall on the Montevideo waterfront where the traditional Saturday lunchtime asado takes place. The parrilladas inside the market serve various cuts of Uruguayan beef over wood coals; the market fills with smoke and local families. Go on Saturday between noon and 2pm for the full experience.Punta del Este – South America’s most prestigious beach resort (see the Punta del Este page for detail): La Mano sculpture, Casapueblo, Playa Brava Atlantic surf, and Playa Mansa bay swimming. Best in January for glamour; best in March for shoulder-season pricing.Punta del Diablo – The most authentic beach village on Uruguay’s Atlantic coast: a fishing village 4 hours from Montevideo that grew into a backpacker and surfer enclave without losing its character. The beach breaks are reliable for surfing, the restaurants serve fresh fish, and the village retains a low-key charm that Punta del Este abandoned decades ago.FAQIs Uruguay safe?Uruguay has the lowest crime rate in South America and is one of the continent’s most stable and democratic countries. Petty crime is rare by regional standards; Montevideo has some areas to avoid at night but nothing approaching the safety concerns of Buenos Aires or Rio de Janeiro. It is genuinely one of South America’s safest and most pleasant countries to travel.Is marijuana legal in Uruguay?Yes. Uruguay was the first country in the world to fully legalize cannabis in 2013. Residents can grow plants, join cannabis clubs, or purchase from pharmacies. Foreign tourists cannot legally purchase from pharmacies but possession for personal use is decriminalized in practice. The policy has had minimal impact on tourism but is a significant aspect of Uruguay’s progressive social policy framework.