Uruguay is a South American country that borders Argentina and Brazil. The country is sometimes called “the Switzerland of South America… for [its] stable democracy and social benefits such as free education” (Wikitravel). It’s a popular destination due to its beautiful Atlantic beaches and its capital city, Montevideo. If you are looking for a new travel destination, read on to learn why Uruguay is at the top of many people’s lists.
Beaches
Punta del Este is one of the most popular beach destinations in Uruguay. It’s close to Montevideo and Buenos Aires, and it gets compared to Miami Beach and Monaco. During the summer the beach is a very popular vacation destination for Argentines, Brazilians, and other tourists throughout the world. In the offseason, the town becomes deserted. Compared to other parts of the country, Punta del Este is very expensive. Travelers looking to save money shouldn’t plan on spending too much time in the town.
Another popular beach town is Punta del Diablo. Similar to Punta del Este, during the summer this village is visited by many tourists. Unlike Punta del Este, Punta del Diablo is known for its bohemian vibe. In 2008, Lonely Planet crowned Punta del Diablo as one of the top 10 places to visit. Punta del Diablo is home to many fishermen, and it’s a great place to visit during the offseason when the crowds thin out. If you visit Punta del Diablo, make sure you bring cash since there is only one ATM in the village. During the offseason, it’s not operable.
Montevideo
If you enjoy a slow pace of life, then you should visit Uruguay’s capital city. One of the most popular destinations in Montevideo is the Rambla of Montevideo, a 17-mile riverwalk. The Rambla is a great place to stroll, bike, or just sit down and take in the view. Don’t be surprised if you see locals drinking mate, a popular caffeinated drink, along the Rambla and wherever you visit in Uruguay. Montevideo is home to numerous museums that are worth checking out, such as Museo del Futbol which soccer fans will love. This site is a great resource for planning a trip to Montevideo. It features a lot of information on where to stay, eat, and what to do while you’re visiting the city.
Food
Uruguay is a meat lover’s paradise. In fact, more cattle live in the country than people do, and beef is one of its biggest exports. One of Uruguay’s most popular dishes is Asado. Asado is similar to barbecue—both in the way the meat is prepared and the social event around cooking it. Another popular dish is Chivito, a sandwich that features churrasco beef, cheese, mayonnaise, tomatoes, and olives. It’s usually served with French fries, and sometimes it comes with bacon.
One of the best reasons to visit Uruguay just may be the people themselves. They have a reputation for being friendly and accommodating to visitors. With beautiful beaches, good food, and friendly people, don’t be surprised if you find yourself putting Uruguay at the top of your destination list.
