Uruguay has 250 kilometers of heavenly beaches on the Atlantic Ocean coastline and 425 kilometers along Río de la Plata, to cater to everyone´s tastes. Family-friendly beaches or cool and trendy beaches for young people; deserted strips or beaches with clubs; music and services. Calm-water beaches or beaches with bigger waves to surf, kitesurf, sand sports, or fishing. A coastal paradise to choose the beach that suits you best.
Rural tourism offers the possibility of experiencing the Gaucho culture and the traditional country life of the Río de la Plata. Unique aromas and flavors, contact with nature at its purest to understand the origin of the richest and tastiest foods in the world.
With 16 National Parks and conservation areas, Ecotourism in Uruguay is the opportunity of discovering extraordinary landscapes in the mountains, native woodlands, coastal lagoons, bird, whale, and sea wolf watching, or trekking experiences; horseback riding or absolute relaxation amid the exuberant nature.
Other visitors choose one of the 6 top-level tourist resorts in the Hot Springs area in the Northwestern region of the country. The Guaraní Aquifer is one of the largest water reservoirs on the planet and its hot springs are a must destination for those who enjoy healthy retreats, with the family, and in a unique natural environment.
Beaches
Montevideo has enjoyable beaches for families. Piriápolis is another charming beach destination to be discovered, with a European-like promenade as one of its main attractions.
Punta del Este is a must-see for bon vivants, those who enjoy a wide variety of services, new trends, design, and good taste. Cabo Polonio is just one of the wonders that can be found on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.
Beaches such as La Pedrera, La Paloma, or Punta del Diablo are worthwhile stops for surfers. After the sunset, it is time to plan the night; eating out, going to the cinema or a concert, or just staying at the beach to stare at how the sky darkens and the stars light everything up.
Rural Tourism
Whether you are staying at a tourist ranch, in a countryside hotel, or on a small family farm, you will certainly feel the hospitality, kindness, and simplicity that define Uruguayans.
There are more than 120 accommodation establishments destined for rural tourism. Some of them are really stunning, like farmhouses with more than 200 years of history, chapels, puteals, and stone constructions that preserve the appearance of old times and combine it with the finest modern comfort.
Horse riding on the meadows, exploring the autochthonous forest, or gazing at the beauty of the native birds are part of the endless experiences the country has to offer.
Eco-Tourism
The biodiversity of the flora and fauna in some of those areas has gained recognition from prestigious institutions such as RAMSAR and UNESCO for the country.
Some of the most remarkable sites are the ravine Quebrada de los Cuervos, the valley Valle del Lunarejo, the coastal lakes in Rocha, and the estuary Esteros de Farrapos in Río Uruguay.
Whale sightings along the whole Atlantic coast or bird sightings in protected areas such as Laguna Garzón, Rocha, or in the mountains, as well as observing the largest seal colony in the world just a few meters away, are a privilege for the lovers of wildlife and nature in its purest form.
Visit this natural country and savor this privilege. Explore its lagoons, rivers, mountains, native hills, and landscapes protected by a sustainable country, that loves and protects the natural riches for the people to relish them. Enjoy and care for nature.
Sports and Adventure
The Sierras stand out for their stunning landscapes ideal to practice trekking, rappel, canopy, and mountain bike circuits. Uruguay is also a paradise for sport fishing lovers, who can find a diversity of species, both in fresh and salt waters.
Throughout the country, the most popular sport is football, a passion that even has its own museum, located in the mythical Centenario Stadium, the place where the First FIFA World Cup was played. No wonder it was declared a World Football Monument.
That is why you can easily find a football pitch in any corner of the country, as well as courts and stadiums to watch rugby, tennis, padel tennis, or beautiful surroundings to play golf.
Cultural and Religious
Local gaucho traditions, indigenous ancestors, Afro-Uruguayan heritage and customs imported by European immigrants make the Uruguayan cultural expressions such a rich and diverse heritage.
Although Uruguay is a state with no particular creed, the country has a varied agenda of religious festivals, patron saints’ days and pilgrimages.
Regardless of their beliefs, tourists can appreciate the historical, patrimonial and architectural richness of the temples, the works of art in paintings, images and stained-glass windows, which create spaces for contemplation.
