11 Days • 10 Nights
Grand Uruguay: Cities, Colonial Towns, Wine & Coast
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Belle-epoque Montevideo
- Colonial Colonia del Sacramento
- The Carmelo and Canelones wine country
- A gaucho estancia on the pampas
- Glamorous Punta del Este
- Bohemian-chic Jose Ignacio
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 11-day journey.
Met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in relaxed Montevideo, with a welcome dinner of Uruguayan beef and Tannat wine.
A guided tour of Montevideo, its old town, rambla, port market and beach districts, with an authentic asado barbecue lunch.
You travel west to colonial Colonia del Sacramento, wandering its cobbled streets, lighthouse and riverside, with a golden sunset over the river.
A morning in Colonia before travelling to the Carmelo wine country, settling into a wine lodge among the vines with an afternoon tasting.
A day touring boutique family wineries, tasting bold Tannat and olive oils, with a long vineyard lunch and time to relax.
You travel to a traditional estancia in the rolling countryside, for a taste of gaucho life, horseback riding across the pampas, folk traditions and a hearty barbecue.
A final gaucho morning before travelling to the glamorous Atlantic coast at Punta del Este. Settle in and see the iconic sculpted hand at sunset.
A day exploring Punta del Este, its beaches and marina, and the whitewashed artist's villa of Casapueblo for a spectacular sunset.
You travel a short way along the coast to bohemian-chic Jose Ignacio, settling into a stylish beach hotel with its dune-backed beaches and lighthouse.
A free day to enjoy Jose Ignacio's beaches, lagoons and celebrated restaurants, or a nearby coastal winery, with a farewell dinner.
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight, full of Uruguay's relaxed charm.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 10 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner, an asado lunch, a winery lunch and full board at the estancia
- Airport and internal transfers
- Touring, sightseeing and activities as per itinerary with expert English-speaking guides
- Ground transport or ferry as specified
- Entrance and winery fees as per itinerary
- Montevideo and Colonia tours, Carmelo winery tours, an estancia stay and Punta del Este touring
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Most nationalities, including UK, US, EU, Canadian and Australian passport holders, do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival; a passport valid for at least six months is required. We confirm details for your nationality
- Currency: The currency is the Uruguayan Peso; cards are widely accepted, and helpfully, tourists can often receive a tax refund on card payments for accommodation and restaurant meals. US Dollars are accepted in some tourist areas
- Seasons reversed: Uruguay is in the southern hemisphere, so summer (December to March) is warm and the peak beach season, especially in Punta del Este, while winter (June to August) is mild and quiet, ideal for the cities and wine country
- Getting around: Uruguay is small and easy to travel, with short drives linking Montevideo, Colonia, the wine country and the coast; a stylish ferry from Buenos Aires makes it an easy add-on to Argentina
- Beaches & Punta del Este: The glamorous resort of Punta del Este and the chic village of Jose Ignacio are liveliest and busiest in the December-to-February summer; outside this, the coast is peaceful and prices are lower
- Wine & food: Uruguay is a rising wine star, famous for its Tannat reds, and a land of superb beef and asado barbecue; wineries around Canelones and Carmelo welcome visitors for tastings and long lunches
- Safety & pace: Uruguay is one of South America's safest, most relaxed and progressive countries; the pace is unhurried, the people warm, and normal sensible precautions are all that is needed
- Health & power: No vaccinations are required, and tap water is generally safe in cities. Tipping around ten percent is customary. Power is 220V with type C, F and L plugs, so bring an adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose the eleven-day grand tour?
It is the only way to experience all of Uruguay, cities, colonial towns, wine country, a gaucho ranch and the coast, at the country's wonderfully unhurried pace with time to enjoy each. Nothing of its relaxed diversity is missed.
Is there much travelling involved?
Uruguay is small, so drives between regions are short and scenic, typically one to three hours, leaving plenty of time to relax and enjoy each place. It is one of the easiest and most laid-back countries to travel in South America.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary such as a welcome dinner, a winery lunch or an asado barbecue. Uruguay's beef, wine and seafood are a highlight, so most other meals are left free with our recommendations.
Is Uruguay easy to combine with Argentina?
Very — a stylish ferry links Buenos Aires with Colonia and Montevideo in around one to three hours, making Uruguay a wonderful and easy add-on to an Argentina trip. We can seamlessly combine the two.
Do I need a visa for Uruguay?
Most nationalities do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival with a passport valid for at least six months. We confirm the requirement for your nationality when you book.
When is the best time to visit Uruguay?
Summer (December to March) is warm and the peak beach season, especially in Punta del Este, while spring and autumn are lovely and quieter for the cities and wine country. Winter is mild and peaceful. We advise on timing for your interests.
Is Uruguay safe?
Uruguay is one of South America's safest, most relaxed and progressive countries, with a warm, welcoming culture and an unhurried pace. Normal sensible precautions are all that is needed, and most visitors find it wonderfully easy and friendly.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of city, colonial towns, wine country and beach, add a Buenos Aires combination, change the pace and tailor hotels to your interests and budget.
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