Uruguay holidays : introduction

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This small, friendly country is perfect if you want to get away from it all - whether your preferences are a bit of luxury or to take to the hills on horseback!

Uruguay’s sophisticated capital Montevideo, on the banks of the River Plate, has fine dining, an eclectic night life and a chic shopping district noted for its art deco architecture. Just down the coast are the fashionable resorts of Punta del Este or José Ignacio - the place for the glamorous set to see and be seen. But with miles of deserted, pristine beaches, you can easily seek out sun and solitude, hone your surfing skills or enjoy some fantastic bird watching. Riders are in for a treat too - galloping through the salt spray or exploring the expansive, rolling countryside inland.

Away from the main tourist destinations, highlights include wine tasting at romantic vineyards and strolling through the cobbled streets of charming colonial towns. Stay in a historic estancia and discover gaucho culture on a working cattle ranch - locals say the beef is the best in the world. Try it in a juicy chivito sandwich followed by a dulce de leche with a flask of yerba mate - a high-caffeine herbal infusion as ubiquitous as the great British cuppa.

Climate and when to go

Uruguay has a gentle climate, with mean temperatures ranging from 25ºC in the summer, to 12ºC in the winter. Rainfall is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year (though July and August can be wetter). The high season in Punta del Este is their summer, December to March.

“It was a fantastic trip. Sue was great, both at setting it up and in following our progress. Everyone we met was helpful and all the hotels were wonderful, as were the guides and drivers we had. All the travel arrangements worked extremely well and I would not hesitate to recommend Last Frontiers to others wanting to travel in Latin America.” - JL