Colonia_de_Sacramento; Source: Wikimedia Commons

Despite being South America’s smallest Spanish-speaking country and wedged between the giants of Argentina and Brazil, Uruguay should not be overlooked.

Indeed, this small, landlocked country is a great travel destination with much to offer. The country’s small size as well as its relatively short distances between attractions and unmatched diversity propels Uruguay as a rather unique and appealing destination.

Uruguay attracts experienced as well as novice travellers and luxury-searchers from all over the world to its sun-drenched beaches, great resorts, gourmet restaurants and glitzy nightclubs.

Beyond this, there is also much room for those travellers who are looking for peace and quiet in Uruguay’s countryside. Here, we list the most popular places in Uruguay in terms of tourist satisfaction and general popularity.

Colonia del Sacramento

Founded in 1680 and located on the shores of the Rio de la Plata, Colonia del Sacramento has since been honoured as an UNESCO World Heritage site. Colonia del Sacramento is a rather picturesque town, rich in history and cultural heritage.

Here, visitors will find numerous museums, restaurants, boutiques etc., all offering that olden day-modern day mixed appeal. Trips to Colonia del Sacramento are about experiencing the thrill of olden day South America within the framework of a traditional unique atmosphere of Colonia.

Discover Uruguay offers a great round trip about the small town at a rate of $195 per person including double occupancy accommodations.

Uruguay Tours also offers a one day tour of the city available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays upon request.

Punta del Este

Punta del Este is a wonderful beach resort town in Uruguay complete with casinos, restaurants, beaches and yachts clubs.

As one would expect, numerous tourists embark here every year. Punta del Este is known as the St. Tropez of Uruguay, thanks to its said beautiful beaches, upscale resorts and swanky nightclubs. In fact, Punta del Este is such a wonderful destination that excursions about the town itself would be a rather feasible and fulfilling experience.

Discover Uruguay offers a four day round trip to Punta Del Este beginning at Buenos Aires. This trip features 3 nights in an Ocean Beach Condo in Punta Del Este as well as a car rental with miles for the final day.  The price currently stands at $595 per person for double occupancy.

Uruguay Tours also offer tourists a chance to visit all the main attractions in this world famous sea side resort, including the city of Maldonado, ‘Playa Mansa’ and Casapueblo.

Most tour operators will ensure their clients get to see amazing sites including the Casapueblo Art Museum and their amazing views from this site. There is also Portezuelo, a river side costal road, the historic San Rafael neighbourhood and the town of La Barra, a place where the river meets the ocean and where tours often draw to a close. 

Anchorena

Anchorena is located 20 kilometers from Gondwana and is a wonderfully interesting place to visit. Here, visitors will find a stately estancia of 11,000 acres on the river Rio de la Plata, the summer residence for the current President in office. However, the public also has the right to visit during the weekend.

With its cosmopolitan, modern cities, historic colonial neighbourhoods, endless open spaces in the country’s interior, and remote coastline, Uruguay certainly has a lot to offer.

For those who prefer to explore the county by themselves, another way to explore Uruguay is by rental car. The country is very safe, easy to get around in and has a well-marked road system.