Punta del Este Lighthouse, Uruguay
Safe, stable Uruguay is the underdog of South America, sandwiched between its dramatic, flashy neighbors of Argentina and Brazil who often steal the spotlight. The progressive nation is the Switzerland of the South America filled with delicious restaurants, colonial charm and stunning beaches. It’s often overlooked but easily accessible with direct flights from the U.S.
I first visited Uruguay for a brief stint in 2015 to stock up on U.S. dollars from the ATMs to take back to Argentina, which at the time had higher rates for dollars on the black market than the ATM. This year I spent some time exploring more of the country and fell in love.
Here’s 7 places you can’t miss in Uruguay:
El Mano en la Arena sculpture in Punta del Este , Uruguay; photography by Anna Mazurek. Images cannot be used without permission.
1. La Mano en La Arena
Chances are high you’ve seen photos of this iconic statue of a hand in the sand in the glitzy beach town of Punta del Este. The statue is by Chilean artist Mario Irarrázabal and was completed in 1982. Sunrise is the only time the statue isn’t mobbed by hordes of selfie-stick welding tourists.
Zucchini Ravioli at Toledo Tapas in Montevideo, Uruguay
2. Toledo Tapas
This hidden lunch spot was hands down one of the best meals I had in the past three months in South America. The zucchini ravioli with arugula was life changing. It’s located in the downtown business district of Montevideo and only open from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Calle Cerrito 499, 11000 Montevideo, Uruguay
Cabo Polonio ,Uruguay; photography by Anna Mazurek. Images cannot be used without permission.
3. Cabo Polonio
This remote beach town is located seven miles off the main highway and is only accessible by 4-wheel drive vehicles. In 2009, the area was declared a national park and is home to the second largest sea lion colony in the country. The sea lions hang out on rocks by the lighthouse, which is worth the climb for the view. Watch the sunset from the giant sand dunes on the western side of town. There’s no ATMs and limited electricity, which just adds to the charm of the town.
How to Get to Cabo Polonio:
Northbound buses will drop you off at the Cabo Polonio turn-off where there’s a huge tourist center with food and bathrooms. You can book buses directly to other parts of the country from here as well.
Casa Pueblo near Punta del Este, Uruguay
4. Casapueblo
This stunning nine-story villa was built by Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró. It houses an art gallery, museum and hotel. It’s an excellent sunset spot. The house spills down the side of the cliff and the best photos are from the adjacent cliff. Most buses will drop you at the turn off which is 13 kilometers from Punta del Este and you can walk another 15 minutes to the villa.
Unless you are a fan of the artist, I wouldn’t recommend the museum. I felt it was overpriced for such a very tiny space and didn’t offer much background information. It’s worth the trek from Punta del Este for the view alone.
Escaramuza bookstore in Montevideo, Uruguay is my favorite cafe in town.
5. Escaramuza
Escaramuza is a stunning high-ceiling bookstore with a cozy café in the back. It was my favorite hangout spot in the capital. The café is a great spot for lunch and has great WIFI. While the menu changes daily, the best options are offered during lunchtime. Be sure to save room for dessert! Dr. Pablo de María 1185, 11200 Montevideo, Uruguay
Calle de los Suspiros, the Street of Sighs, in Colonia del Sacremento, Uruguay is home to one of the best resturants in town: Buen Suspiro!
6. Colonia del Sacramento
Colonia is a photographer’s dream – quiet cobblestone streets, rusting classic cars and colorful, crumbling colonial buildings. The former Portuguese settlement and Unesco World Heritage site is 50 km from Buenos Aires by ferry. The town’s location made it a haven for smugglers and was later succeeded to Spain in the 1700s. Frequent ferries make it a popular day trip from Buenos Aires.
Be sure to eat at Buen Suspiro. This cozy restaurant on Calle de los Suspiros has the best food in Colonia. They specialize in large shared appetizer plates called picadas. Check out my photo guide to Colonia!
I got up at sunrise and ran to the famous Montevideo sign for a photo!
7. La Rambla
The world’s longest continuous sidewalk, la Rambla, hugs the coastline ofthe capital of Montevideo for 13.7 miles. At sunset, it’s covered with locals relaxing and enjoying their mate, a loose-leaf tea that is sipped through a straw. Get up at sunrise to get a photo of the iconic MONTEVIDEO sign located along the north side of Playa de Los Pocitos. The sign is continuously repainted based on the season.
What’s the best thing about Uruguay? NO TAX for foreign credit cards!
If you pay with a foreign credit card, taxes are waived for both accommodation AND food. This saves roughly 18-20%! The discount also applies to Visa debit cards, which are sometimes accepted more often than credit cards. Visa seems to be the most popularly accepted card in the country. This significantly cuts down the cost of traveling in the country. Be sure to only use credit/debit cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees!
