Welcome to this Uruguay itinerary that I’ve carefully planned out!
Are you planning a trip to Uruguay and looking for ideas?
I’ve extended my South America backpacking adventure for you to get some ideas on what to see, where to go, and things to do in Uruguay.
As the smallest country on my South America itinerary, Uruguay is often overshadowed by its larger neighbors – Argentina and Brazil.
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Uruguay Itinerary
With places such as Colonia and the capital city of Montevideo, you have many opportunities to explore the unique life of the Uraguayo!
Experience a healthy blend of tranquillity and vibrant living.
If the extensive countryside and gaucho lifestyle intrigues you, then a trip to South America’s most refined country will have you in awe.
Uruguay Itinerary
🇺🇾 Route: Montevideo > Colonia > Punta Del Este
Uruguay packs a real good punch of culture, and you will learn below why it is a mistake to see this country as a “passing through” one!
Montevideo
Duration: (2 Days) > Time: Day count: 58
Stopping in the capital, we will begin by heading to the old historic center, where you can visit the Palacio Salvo and Teatro Solís.
Whilst here you should head to a local cafe and order a Yerba maté tea, which is the defacto traditional drink of Uruguay.
If you are heading here in the Summer, you will be rewarded with an almost eerie presence as most of the inhabitants leave on vacation, making the city feel somewhat of a ghost town!
Colonia
Duration: (2 Days) > Time: Day count: 58
Stopping in the capital, we will begin by heading to the old historic center, where you can visit the Palacio Salvo and Teatro Solís.
Whilst here you should head to a local cafe and order a Yerba maté tea, which is the defacto traditional drink of Uruguay.
If you are heading here in the Summer, you will be rewarded with an almost eerie presence as most of the inhabitants leave on vacation, making the city feel somewhat of a ghost town!
Punta del Este
Duration: (3 Days) > Time: Day count: 60
Considered one of the more popular beach resorts of South America, this place gets really busy during summer.
Playa Mansa and Playa Brava are popular beaches full of amenities, which you’ll appreciate after the last few weeks of your travels!
Punta del Diablo beach offers a much more rustic option, which you can stay in a cabaña on the beach.
You should also go and see La Mano de Punta del Este, a large hand that reaches out of the sand at Brava Beach!
Uruguay: Extremely Useful Links
Are you ready to start booking your trip to Uruguay?
My #1 goal is to help you get deals and discounts no matter where you’re from or where you’re going in Latin America.
In this Extremely useful links section, I share a list of companies, hostels, and tour providers that I’ve used or done extensive research on to use in the near future.
Why reinvent the wheel? I spend 40% of my current day-to-day planning travel in and around Latin America.
Whether in South America, Central America, or on an island in the Caribbean (usually Jamaica) you can rely on me to give you a starting point for booking trips to the continent.
Planning a Trip to Uruguay
Here is my first port of call no matter where I’m going to I start by looking at these sites for ideas:
- Hostel World – A reliable platform for review and booking
- Booking – Great for discounts on accommodation
- World Nomads – Travel insurance market leaders
- Get your Guide – My go-to site for cultural tours
As you begin to refine your Uruguay itinerary you’ll have a better idea of the landmarks and accommodation you’ll visit.
Time is of the essence when backpacking and the idea are to put yourself in the best possible position to see everything you planned for yourself.
As you probably will already know, staying safe in Latin America is a big deal and not to be underestimated.
Safety concerns are one of the main reasons why people shun the idea of backpacking the continent and will choose continents such as Asia or Europe instead.
Safety in South America
Keep travel gear locked up and deterring theft is a must.
- For Securing – My backpack gets locked securely with this
- Hidden Wallets – Carry a wallet that conceals your cash
- Hidden Pockets Pants – Perfect for hiding cash and phones etc
I have created a specific page below for those who are concerned about lugging their belongings around and are in need of a backpack that is designed to conceal valuables.
When planning a trip to Uruguay I recommend you consider packing the following items I have noted below. Some of which you can buy whilst in the country too if you decide to.
What to pack for Uruguay:
You’ll that depending on which countries you visit on your South America backpacking journey the climate will change drastically.
It’s smart to think about this before leaving your hometown!
South America is not all beaches and palm trees, in fact, I have some of the coldest nights in the mountain regions of Colombia or in other countries such as Argentina and Peru.
Winter in the southern hemisphere is not to be underestimated.
Finally, when staying in a hostel, here are a few links that I recommend you check out before booking anything:
Uruguay Hostel Checklist:
Travel Insurance for Uruguay
Whilst traveling around Uruguay I recommend World Nomads insurance for an adequate cover. Get a Free Quote below:
On more than one occasion World Nomads has proved to be the best insurance for travel in Latin America.
**This list will get updated regularly: See my Travel Gear Page in the Main Navigation for even more ideas 🙂
Uruguay Itinerary
Unfortunately, we’ve come to the end of this Uruguay itinerary!
For those thinking of backpacking Uruguay soon, this guide has covered some of the best tourist attractions this nation has to offer. As well as giving you a clear insight into what to expect.
The useful links section above is designed to give you tools to be able to do further research.
When it comes to safety in Uruguay many see it as the safest place in South America but never let your guard down.
Read More on What to do in Uruguay
Use caution especially if going off the beaten track and be sure to use caution when carrying around your belongings.
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