2025 Uruguay Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

Uruguay | 5 trivia you may not know Compared to its neighbors Argentina and Brazil, Uruguay, a “small and low-key” country, resembles the “cultural aristocracy” of South America. 👇5 surprises about Uruguay for you to discover! Uruguay's former president, "the most down-to-earth national leadership in the world" When José Mujica was president. Live on a farm, drive a Volkswagen Beetle, grow your own vegetables, donate 90% of your salary, Known as "the poorest president in the world", but the people love him crazy! Uruguay was the first country in South America to legalize same-sex marriage In South America, it is one of the countries with “the most advanced and liberal social ideas,” Not only is the rule of law system perfect, but education and social welfare are also quite sound. Yerba Mate is more important in Uruguay than in Argentina Uruguayans almost "have a cup of mate" in their hands. In the subway, the streets, the seaside, the office desk... you can see "the left hand holding the thermos, the right hand holding the straw" everywhere. According to statistics, Uruguay ranks first in the world in per capita consumption of mate! Uruguay's football, although low-key, is strong Uruguay was the first World Cup winner (1930) . It is also the only South American team to beat Brazil + Argentina, winning the Copa America several times. This is the country that “plays football with soul”. Colonia, Uruguay, is the "old city of the world." [Colonia del Sacramento], a Spanish + Portuguese mixed style colonial ruin, It is listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site by the United Nations. Being able to take a same day round trip from Buenos Aires, Argentina is very popular.

Sozuelo Beach in the coastal city of Uruguay is like a shining gem inlaid on the Atlantic coast, exuding charming charm. Now, follow this guide and start a wonderful beach trip.​ 🚗Transportation Guide Driving from Montevideo to Sozuelo Beach is a great option. The drive along the coastal road takes about 2-3 hours, with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. If you don’t want to drive yourself, you can also take a long-distance bus 🚌. On the way, you can enjoy the ever-changing scenery outside the window. After arriving at Coast City, you can transfer to the local bus or take a taxi 🚕 to the beach, which is very convenient.​ 🏖Beach Features​ 🌟Sosuelo Beach has fine and soft golden sand. Walking on it barefoot, the sand gently caresses the soles of your feet, bringing a wonderful tingling feeling. The clear blue sea is boundless and merges with the blue sky in the distance. The waves beat rhythmically against the shore, making pleasant sounds, as if playing a beautiful ocean melody. The beach is surrounded by lush palm groves. The tall palm trees sway in the wind, adding a strong tropical flavor to the beach and creating a comfortable and romantic atmosphere.​ 🎯 Activities Leisure time on the beach: Find a comfortable beach chair to lie down, put up a parasol, bathe in the warm sunshine, and enjoy a leisurely sunbath. You can also play Frisbee and build sand castles on the beach with your friends and have a great time. Take a stroll along the coastline, feel the gentle caress of the sea breeze, and occasionally bend down to pick up beautiful shells washed ashore by the waves. You may even discover some unique marine creatures.​ Water Sports Carnival: For those who love excitement, the rich water sports here will definitely satisfy you. In the eyes of surfing enthusiasts, the waves at Sozuelo Beach are perfect. Following the ups and downs of the waves and feeling the thrill of fighting with the sea is exciting. If you want to explore the ocean more leisurely, kayaking is a good choice. You can paddle slowly along the coastline, appreciate the surrounding beauty up close, and feel the gentleness of the sea. Diving enthusiasts should not miss this place. Diving into the clear sea water will allow you to encounter colorful coral reefs and a wide variety of tropical fish, as if you have entered a mysterious underwater world.​ Watch the sunset: In the evening, come to the beach and wait quietly for the sunset. As the sun gradually sets, the sky is dyed orange-red, and the afterglow shines on the sea, making the waves sparkle. The entire beach is shrouded in a golden glow, which is breathtakingly beautiful, and every shot is a blockbuster.​ 🍱Nearby food There are many restaurants and food stalls around the beach, serving a variety of delicious local cuisine. Uruguayan barbecue is definitely a must-try. The local high-quality beef is carefully grilled, with a crispy skin and tender and juicy inside. Paired with a special sauce, every bite is full of rich meaty aroma, which makes people linger. There are also fresh seafood dishes, such as grilled shrimps, steamed fish, etc., which retain the original flavor of seafood and are paired with refreshing vegetable salads for a rich taste. After the meal, have a sweet dessert of dulce de leche. The rich caramel flavor spreads in your mouth, putting a sweet end to this gourmet journey.​ 📌Notes​ The sun is strong on the beach, so be sure to take sun protection measures and bring high-factor sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat to avoid sunburn.​ When engaging in water sports, you must strictly abide by safety regulations, wear life-saving equipment, and ensure your own safety.​ Take care of the beach environment, do not throw garbage at will, keep the beach clean and beautiful, so that more people can enjoy this beautiful scenery.​ My dears, Sozuelo Beach is waiting for you to embrace it. Come here to feel the charm of the sun, the beach and the waves, and leave an unforgettable memory💖!

There is always a special scent in the air of Piriápolis. Since the 1890s, alchemist Francisco Piria has established his beautiful era seaside resort here because he loves the so-called cosmic energy there. For a long time, tourists have flocked to the Maldonado region for its world-class beach towns: the dazzling Punta del Este and its bohemian-style cousin José Ignacio. However, nowadays, more people visit here for wine tasting. Travelers can stroll in family-owned vineyards that extend to the sea, taste Uruguay's strong Tannat red wine and iconic Albariño white wine, and pair it with the country's famous melt-in-your-mouth steak. Uruguay's wine culture is booming, and Maldonado on the Atlantic coast is its fastest-growing wine region. In fact, Montevideo's most famous winemaker Bodega Bouza has already opened a hilltop restaurant Las Espinas in Maldonado and will add a winery in 2024. They are not the only one. Cerro del Toro - its Tannat variety was recently hailed as Uruguay's "Discovery of the Year" - will also open a winery next year. In this part of the country, wine tourism means intimate vineyards and pastoral outdoor wine tasting. At Bodega Garzón, visitors can ride electric bikes through the vast estate, looking for a place to pair with a picnic to taste wine. At the Alto de la Ballena estate, located on a rocky cliff, the Atlantic is faintly visible in the distance, where they offer tastings of their bottled wines, including a fresh Tannat-Viognier blend. "Most of our wineries are boutique or family-run, and the owners are directly involved in every step," said Soledad Bassini, a sommelier who has worked in José Ignacio for 25 years. "This brings a lot of characteristics to the wine, for tourists, it's like entering someone's home, sharing their daily life, traditions, and history." The richness and diversity of the wine experience prompted Bassini to create Mapa del Vino, a map detailing Uruguay's boutique vineyards. "Maldonado has everything," she said. "Terroir, ocean, beach - it's a complete package." 🏠 Accommodation recommendation: Between the vineyards and pine forests inland of José Ignacio, Luz Culinary Wine Lodge opened in 2022, offering eight suites inspired by Morocco. 🚕 Travel arrangements: JSB Journeys can plan a wine-themed tour of Uruguay, including accommodation in vineyard hotels, wine tasting experiences, and those important designated drivers.