A short stay includes a visit to Montevideo, its beaches and its historic district. Why not spend 1 or 2 nights in the countryside to ride a horse alongside the gauchos, walk in the countryside and enjoy its tranquility, stay in a typical estancia. Those who come from Buenos Aires, and who have little time to devote to Uruguay, can cross the river Plata and go either to Colonia del Sacramento (1 hour crossing) or Montevideo (3 hours). Holidaymakers wishing to celebrate will take off to Punta del Este for 2 or 3 nights (1 hour and a half by car from Montevideo). If you have such a short period of time, it is probably because you come from another country (it is hard to imagine that you come from Europe for a short week in Uruguay). Thus, your itinerary could be as follows: From Buenos Aires - if you plan to reach Uruguayan Mesopotamia afterwards - Iguazú Falls, for example: go to Colonia del Sacramento, a UNESCO World Heritage City, by boat (1 hour), then follow the course of the Uruguay River; Carmelo, Mercedes, Paysandú, Salto (thermal baths, riverside beaches, estancias), allowing yourself a few incursions on the Argentine side, across the river, and especially to El Palmar National Park. To Brazil (Florianópolis, etc.), join Colonia del Sacramento then Montevideo and follow the Atlantic coast: Piriápolis, Punta del Este, La Paloma or La Pedrera, Punta del Diablo... The department of Rocha contains beautiful lagoons and wild beaches (especially in Cabo Polonio). You will cross the Brazilian border at Chuy. If you have no particular project, take the opportunity to discover the interior, less visited than the coast or the spa towns. And in particular the departments of Durazno and Tacuarembó. A stopover in Montevideo is always recommended: it is an alanguished urban city by the sea, enjoying a privileged geographical location, that you can enjoy visiting. The route shown below offers a first glimpse of Uruguay (the coast being the most touristic area), but does not include the coast. We have to make a choice, and it would be a real shame to run more in a country that invites so much tranquility and strolling!
Day 1: Montevideo
Day 2: Continuation of the visit to the capital
Day 3: Punta del Este
Day 4: José Ignacio
Day 5: Cabo Polonio
Day 6: Fort and fortress
Day 7: Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas Minas
Day 8: On the road
Day 9: Colonia del Sacramento
Day 10: Back
Arrival in the morning in Montevideo. Visit of the historic quarter in the afternoon.
©Dantok - Fotolia
Visit of the parks, beaches and other districts of Montevideo (Carrasco and Pocitos in particular).
©brupsilva
Rent a car to reach Punta del Este along the beach (Atlántida, Piriápolis, Casapueblo...). Enjoy a swim in the ocean and sleep in Punta del Este or La Barra (just next door).
©Alejo Vazquez
After La Barra (shops, flea markets...), we head towards José Ignacio, a posh but discreet village, sheltering a pretty lighthouse and a wild coast, then towards Laguna Garzón (we pass on a free ferry) and La Paloma. Sleep either in La Paloma (playa La Aguada) or La Pedrera (30 minutes from La Paloma).
©Giacomo Ciangottini - Fotolia
Early departure for Cabo Polonio (take a truck at the entrance to the biodiversity reserve). In the programme: walk, relax and enjoy the beach. At the end of the day to Punta del Aguilar for its beauty and atmosphere, and night on the spot.
©Gdsfx - Fotolia
Head towards Chuy, stop at the fort of San Miguel, then visit the fortress of Santa Teresa and return to Punta del Diablo at the end of the day.
Take up and move to Minas. Evening sleep in a.
©François JANNE DOTHEE
Continue the "large crossing" of Uruguay; from Minas, join Colonia del Sacramento.
A day on site to visit the historic heart of the city, along its ramparts and the bay.
Return from Colonia or Montevideo (2 hours a day from Colonia).
Each Travel Idea is customizable according to your wishes
