5 Days • 4 Nights
Uruguay Short Escape: Montevideo & Colonia
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Relaxed, belle-epoque Montevideo
- The riverside rambla and port market
- Superb beef and Tannat wine
- Colonial Colonia del Sacramento
- Cobbled streets and river sunsets
- An easy add-on to Buenos Aires
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 5-day journey.
Met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in relaxed Montevideo. Stroll the riverside rambla, with a welcome dinner of Uruguayan beef and Tannat wine.
A guided tour of Montevideo, the old town and Plaza Independencia, the belle-epoque architecture, the Mercado del Puerto for an asado, and the beach districts.
You travel west along the river to Colonia del Sacramento, a beautifully preserved colonial town. Wander its cobbled streets and watch a golden sunset over the Rio de la Plata.
A day exploring Colonia's charming historic quarter, its lighthouse, plazas and riverside, one of the loveliest towns in South America, at a wonderfully unhurried pace.
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport (or the ferry to Buenos Aires) for your onward journey, full of Uruguay's relaxed charm.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 4 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and an asado lunch
- 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
- a Montevideo tour and a Colonia old town tour, plus transfers
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
Is five days enough for Uruguay?
It is a taste rather than a full tour, but it captures the country's relaxed capital and its loveliest colonial town beautifully. It is ideal for a short break or, via the ferry, an easy add-on to a Buenos Aires trip.
Can this be extended?
Easily — we can add the wine country of Canelones and Carmelo, the beaches of Punta del Este and Jose Ignacio, or a Buenos Aires combination. Just tell us how much time you have.
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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