In Uruguay and Argentina, the gaucho (a type of South American cowboy) is a national symbol. Gauchos were historically brave explorers who took over livestock farming in remote regions and became expert horse riders.
A visit to a hacienda is an excellent place to start for visitors interested in learning about gaucho culture. These large landed estates provide lodging, traditional local food, and the opportunity to watch or participate in conventional gaucho activities such as cattle driving, sheep herding, and horseback riding.
One of the most exciting tales about gauchos is the one of Gauchito Gil, sometimes known as “the Robin Hood of Patagonia.” A veteran of numerous conflicts in Argentina, Gauchito Gil was called up again to fight for a cause he disagreed with. He left the army as a result and started as a cowboy bandit, robbing the rich and donating to the needy.
They worked as spies, guides, and scouts throughout the American Revolutionary War. Gauchos moved to the pampas to live off the land, hunt, and trade after the conflict. The finest years of the Argentine cowboys occurred throughout these decades, from the conflict’s conclusion to the beginning of the 20th century. Because Argentina’s economic growth depended on farming, a trade in which gauchos were experts, people in those days highly valued their skills.…
The carnival season is a significant celebration in several South American countries, though how the festival is observed varies significantly from country to country.
In Uruguay, comparsas (groups of dancers and drummers) perform candombe during the carnival season. Candombe is a traditional musical experience strongly tied to the music and dance forms enslaved Africans brought to Uruguay.
The Uruguay Carnival is considered the biggest carnival celebration in the capital city of Montevideo. The event features cultural events, such as dance parades in the streets. Enslaved people were allowed a day to honor their cultural identity around the middle of the 18th century. The lively drum-based music known as Candombe was played during these events. Even after the enslaved people gained their freedom, the parties persisted. Eventually, the candombe style assimilated into the already-present traditional Uruguayan music. The result of this musical fusion was a blending of Uruguayan and African rhythms.
Montevideo has the most elaborate carnival celebrations, with parades and cultural events lasting 40 days between January and February, making it the world’s most extended carnival celebration. Dancers take to the streets in colourful, over-the-top dresses to celebrate well into the early morning.
Murgas, or drumming musical theatre, are also popular at Uruguayan carnivals. They usually perform parodies based on current events as they move through the city streets.…
Termas (hot springs) are popular in Uruguay, with Termas del Arapey and Termas del Dayman among the most popular. Arapey is the country’s oldest thermal resort, with natural spring waters that reach 39 degrees Celsius and are said to be therapeutic. The area is popular with tourists because it has a lot of green space, holiday cottages, and opportunities to swim in cooler, more comfortable waters whenever you want.
Since the beginning of time, men have known about these waters’ advantages and used them as a source of health. The hot springs in this Uruguayan region are utilised for immersion baths. They are great for consumption as beverages, stomach relaxants, and a diuretic due to their high mineral salt content.
The Dayman hot springs near the Daymán River have a maximum temperature of 46 degrees Celsius. Daymán is more developed, with seven pools at varying temperatures for adults and three for children, as well as food areas, tennis courts, and mini golf. Acuamania, Uruguay’s first water park, is just minutes away from the Dayman hot springs and features a 300-meter-long lazy river, various slides, cold geysers, thrill rides, and interactive water games. The areas where Uruguay’s hot spring resorts are located have a favourable impact on organic equilibrium and add to the feeling of well-being on a physical and psychological level. As a result, they receive a lot of attention globally in this industry.…
When it comes to off-the-beaten-path destinations, it doesn’t get much more off-the-beaten-path than this tiny hamlet, which has no electricity, running water, or Wi-Fi—and that’s exactly how the locals want it.
Cabo Polonio has a population of fewer than 100 people who live in small rustic cabins and houses. There is only one store in town, a few posadas (rustic inns that cater to summer visitors and serve meals by candlelight or oil lamps), a shack selling surprisingly good food, and a lighthouse that is the only structure connected to the power grid. And all of this in a stunningly beautiful, rugged setting where grassy dunes and massive boulders wash into the cold sea.
Because there are no roads into town, getting to Cabo Polonio is part of the adventure. The only way to get to the village is by 4WD vehicle or hiking seven kilometers from the highway through treacherous and ever-changing dunes.
The sighting of a large colony of sea lions in their natural habitat is one of the highlights of a visit to the Cabo Polonio National Park in Rocha, east of Uruguay. They usually congregate on the rocks near the Cabo Polonio Lighthouse, and during parturition, the females seek refuge with their young on nearby islands.
The remains suggest that sea lions have existed since ancient times, possibly since the Pleistocene (a million years ago).…
Punta del Diablo, a sleepy village of about 1,000 people, swells to an impressive 25,000 people during the high season (December to February) when visitors enjoy a quiet escape in a fabulously untouched area of soft sands on the Atlantic coast.
Punta del Diablo is an hour and a world away from Punta del Este, but it still has plenty of high-end dining, shopping, and lodging overlooking the rocky waters.
Due to strict building codes, no large construction projects or significant developments are permitted here. Hence, as you walk through the town’s wide-open streets, all you see are brightly coloured cabanas (cabins) and small shops selling local crafts and souvenirs.
Early morning dunes treks are popular here, but more adventurous explorers can leave the village and travel to Santa Teresa National Park, a forested seaside reserve with an 18th-century granite masonry fortress, a large campground, some protected species, and several beaches, including Playa del Barco and Playa Achiras, where surfing and windsurfing opportunities abound.
Punta del Diablo starts as a fishing village and has become a popular summer vacation destination.
Tourists, money, and developers are flocking up the coast from Punta del Este, sparking new development and higher prices in Punta del Diablo.
On the other hand, Punta del Diablo is the ideal middle ground for those who believe Punta del Este is too big and Cabo Polonio is too small.
Uruguay, a small country bordered by Argentina and Brazil, was colonized by the Spanish and Portuguese much later than neighboring countries in the late 17th century. Although the Charrua people originally inhabited the land, little of the native indigenous culture survives today.
As a result of the presence of enslaved Africans in the country in the nineteenth century, the government adopted several traditions and celebrations associated with African heritage, which are especially visible during the Carnival celebration at the beginning of the year.
Uruguay has a lot to offer visitors regarding excellent cuisine, unexpected traditions, and plenty of natural attractions to explore and discover. Check out our list of things to do in Uruguay for more information on the best places to visit.
Before going further, I want to thank Dr. Josef at Real Life Chiropractic for his great help to the community. Check him out!
1. Explore Montevideo
The capital city of Uruguay is an eclectic blend of Neoclassical and colonial architecture, African influences, and modern European flair. The Palacio Salvo (home of the Tango Museum of Montevideo) and the Legislative Palace (made of nearly 30 different types and colors of marble) are good examples of the look and feel you’ll get when walking the streets of Montevideo.
Ciudad Vieja, the city’s oldest and most beautiful neighborhood, is home to several landmarks, including the Citadel Gate (the only remaining portion of the city’s walls) and the green square Plaza Independencia.
Montevideo is a buzzing city with world-class cuisine, which you can sample at its finest at the Mercado del Puerto (“Port Market”).
The cultural heritage of Montevideo is well represented in the city’s many histories and art museums, including the extensive National Museum of Visual Arts and the Museo Torres Garcia, dedicated to the renowned Uruguayan avant-garde sculptor, painter, and writer.
The beaches and Rambla (a coastline sidewalk) in Montevideo draw visitors from neighboring countries.
2. Mix with the Jet Set in Punta del Este
Punta del Este is Uruguay’s most famous beach, and it’s worth mentioning because it’s often referred to as “the Monaco of the South”. In this resort area, models, actors, and the wealthy come to relax, play, and enjoy haute cuisine.
Punta’s main tourist attraction is its fine golden sand coastline and water sports. Still, the area also has a significant population of southern right whales, an imposing hotel complex, and the Museum of the Sea, which displays everything from whale skeletons to a collection of early 20th-century bathing suits.
The islands of Isla de Lobos and Isla Gorriti are located off the coast of Punta del Este. They have a lighthouse, Portuguese fort ruins, and large colonies of southern elephant seals and orcas. Isla de Lobos is a nature reserve and a whale wintering area.
3. Sunbathe and Swim at the Many Beaches
Uruguay’s coastline lacks palm-fringed golden sands and turquoise waters. However, this small South American country still has plenty of beautiful, pristine coastal destinations for sun-worshipers, including waterfront promenades, resorts, and boating areas.
While Punta del Este beach attracts the rich and famous, higher prices, larger crowds, and a lively atmosphere make it difficult to enjoy a quiet moment in the sun during the high season. Many other beach destinations in Uruguay are a better option if you want a little more peace and quiet. Montevideo, the country’s capital, has several beaches, including the upscale Playa de Los Pocitos, which offers a variety of water sports, and the beaches along the 22-kilometer-long Rambla.
Piriápolis, one of Uruguay’s oldest beach resort areas, attracts mostly surfers and history buffs with its strong waves and Belle Epoque-style buildings.
Costa de Oro (Golden Coast) is the country’s longest stretch of beach, stretching over 45 kilometers of vast sandbanks that are undeveloped and ideal for a quiet getaway.
4. Discover the Past in Colonia del Sacramento
This small city, known simply as Colonia, is also one of Uruguay’s oldest. The Barrio Historico, or senior town center, of Colonia is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the town’s main draw.
The barrio, built around a tree-lined square and surrounded by cobblestone streets, is home to several historical buildings and ruins, including a 17th-century convent.
A municipal museum displays artifacts from Colonia’s history; a wooden drawbridge; and the Basilica of the Holy Sacrament, built by Portuguese settlers in the early 19th century.
Famous landmarks include the ruins of the bullring Real de San Carlos (abandoned since the bullfighting ban in Uruguay in 1912) and the lighthouse against the river.
Colonia is also an excellent location for taking the ferry to Buenos Aires. The ferry leaves Colonia more than 40 times per week, and the trip takes only one hour and 15 minutes, making it ideal for a sightseeing day trip to Argentina’s capital.
5. Spot Sea Lions in Cabo Polonio
It doesn’t get any more remote when it comes to off-the-beaten-path locations than this tiny town, where there is no electricity, running water, and Wi-Fi-and that’s exactly how the locals want it.
There are less than 100 individuals living in modest, charmingly rustic cottages and houses in Cabo Polonio. There is just one store in the community, a few posadas (rustic inns that host summer guests and serve meals by candlelight or oil lamps), a few shacks offering unexpectedly delicious food, and a lighthouse that is the only structure with access to electricity. And all of this in a stunning, wild location where enormous boulders and lush dunes tumble into the chilly ocean.
6. Try a South American BBQ
The parrillas (steakhouses) of Uruguay are a meat lover’s paradise. The “Asado,” a type of open-fire barbecue that is more of a social event than a meal, is the quintessential Uruguayan dish. Any non-marinated meat can be used in an Asado (though beef and chicken are the main choices).
Asados are frequently made up of several cuts of meat that cook at different times and are served one after the other. Asados are typically filled with grilled baguette bread and grilled vegetables and salads.
Trying an authentic Asado is a must when in Uruguay unless you’re a vegetarian. There are many parrillas throughout the country, with places like La Pulperia (in Montevideo) and Punta Salina (in Punta del Este) frequently ranking among the top ten restaurants in the country.
