Colonial Towns, Gauchos and Asado
Uruguay, a country that not many dream of visiting, but this small country is great option for any backpacker visiting the area. Located just a quick ferry ride from Argentina and Buenos Aires, Uruguay can be enjoyed for a day or longer if you have the time. With its rich history, good food and maté you can’t go wrong adding it to your itinerary!
This backpacking Uruguay travel guide gives you tips on activities to do, route suggestions, budget and safety tips to help you plan your trip to one of South America’s smallest countries!
How much time do I need?
As one of the smallest countries in South America you won’t need much time to visit, and some people even do it as a day tour from Buenos Aires. I would say anything from a weekend trip to a week is a good amount of time. That way you can visit Colonia del Sacramento, Montevideo and Punta del Este.
If you have more time to spare you can go a lot deeper into Uruguayan culture by visiting their ranches and stay at so called Estancias. There you can experience the life of the Gauchos, farmers from Uruguay, Argentina and Southern Brazil.
Routes
As most people arrive from Buenos Aires, I recommend the ferry to Colonia del Sacramento. From this cute little colonial town, head over to the capital of Montevideo before making your way to Punta del Este. If you have the time finish off your stay with a visit to the Uruguayan ranches.
The ferry between Buenos Aires and Uruguay goes from both Colonia and Montevideo, so you can easily take one there and the other one back. Just keep in mind the ferry between Montevideo and Buenos Aires takes a bit longer and is usually more expensive. Another option is to take the bus back to Colonia and then the ferry to Buenos Aires. This is usually a lot cheaper, but takes a bit longer.
Top Activities in Uruguay
A small country, but still filled with activities and places to see. Here are some of my favourites!
Wander the streets of Colonia del Sacramento
This charming old colonial town with cobblestone streets, is a romantic little getaway. Wander the streets and enter the many shops around to get some souvenirs. Find some nice local food at the many restaurants, and watch the sunset down at the pier for a perfect end to the day.
Explore Montevideo
Explore the capital and visit some of the many museums including the football museum showcasing the Uruguayan history that includes two world cups! There are also several theatres and cool architecture around so keep your eyes open as you explore.
Visit the Gauchos
Gauchos are Uruguayan farmers famous for their skills on a horse and their traditional clothing. In Uruguay you can find Estancia stays that allows tourists to spend a few day on the ranches to get a closer look at the life of the Uruguayan Gaucho. A unique and incredible experience for those interested in a deeper dive into Uruguayan history!
Punta del Este
If you want to relax then Punta del Este is the perfect place. A popular vacation spot for locals to enjoy the laid back vibe of the town, while enjoying the sun on the beach.
Budget for Uruguay
For a backpacking budget for Uruguay, expect to spend upwards of $50 per day. This includes staying in dorms, eating local food and local transportation. This does not include the cost of the ferries. Uruguay is by far one of the most expensive countries in South America, and quite a difference coming from Buenos Aires and Argentina.
Food
Like its neighbour Argentina, Uruguay also has a big tradition for meat and wine. Asados, as the barbecues are called, can be found everywhere and is a meat lover’s paradise. These will set you back anywhere from $10 to $20 dollars for the cheapest options. Keeping your spending down in Uruguay can be a challenge, but there are cheaper meals available at around $5-7 to keep you full in a more backpacker friendly way.
Accommodation
A bed in a dorm in Uruguay is a bit more expensive than its neighbours. Expect to pay anywhere between $15-20 for a shared dorm. This price can go higher depending on the season as well. Most come with breakfast included and free Wi-fi.
Transportation
Travelling in Uruguay is quite simple and the distances are not big. Buses go between the major towns frequently and are fairly cheap as well. Between Colonia and Montevideo expect to pay $15 for the 3-hour journey.
The ferry to Colonia from Buenos Aires varies a little but can be purchased for around $45 each way. To and from Montevideo is usually double.
Since Uruguay is such a small country flying is not recommended and not an affordable option.
When to go to Uruguay
For the best weather, you should go in the Uruguayan summer between November and March. This is the perfect time to visit the coastal towns and spend time on the beach, although it can get crowded as well with many locals spending time in places like Punta del Este during the summer holidays.
Uruguay can easily be visited year round, although it does get a bit chilly in the winter. Just make sure you bring sufficient clothes for colder nights.
Safety
In general Uruguay feels quite safe, especially in touristic places like Colonia del Sacramento. The capital of Montevideo, like any major city in the world, requires a bit of caution especially walking around at night. Petty theft and pickpocketing occurs, but as long as you follow a few precautions and don’t walk around in certain areas at night you will be find. Also never travel without insurance!
Safety Tips:
- Always have some cash at hand in case someone wants to rob you. Better to hand over a few notes than to be caught with nothing or lose your credit card.
- Always keep your valuables safely on you on night buses and never put your backpack in the overhead compartment.
- In large crowds be careful with your belongings. Things in your pocket can easily be taken, but also smaller backpacks, bum bags etc. Make sure you secure them to avoid pickpockets in these situations.
- Do not wander around alone at night in places you are not familiar with. If you have to, stick to well lit streets as much as possible. Preferable where there are more people. If you need to use your phone for maps, do it discreetly and never wave your phone or wealth around.
- Don’t wear flashy things and leave your expensive jewellery at home.
- Bring a padlock and use the lockers in hostels for all your valuables.
- Be careful with how much you drink, accepting drinks from others or the use of drugs. There are many stories out there, so try not to overdo anything unless you have people with you to take care of you.
By taking some precautions you will be fine in Uruguay, and come back with wonderful memories of this beautiful little paradise.
Resources
So, are you ready for an adventure to Uruguay? Here are some of the resources I personally use when I travel. Great value and support, in addition to the best deals out there!
BOOKING – The best place to book accommodation. In my experience the site with the best prices, deals and selection. Perfect for a budget traveller.
HOSTELWORLD – The best place to find hostels, and also has group chats for all your bookings and places you’re going to make it easier to meet people. Perfect for solo travellers!
SKYSCANNER – When I need to find the cheapest days and ways to fly somewhere, Skyscanner is always the first place I go.
GET YOUR GUIDE – A massive marketplace for inspiration and booking of tours and activities for each place you visit.
AIRALO – What I use to stay connected on the road. A slightly more expensive option than buying local sim cards, but nothing beats having e-sim installed and ready to go as soon as you cross the border.
Some links may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn commission from products or services I recommend. For more, see disclosure.
