Uruguay’s best wineries

Whether you favour red or white, the delightful selection of wine produced at these Uruguayan wineries is guaranteed to impress.

Colonia del Sacramento

Colonia del Sacramento was founded in 1680 by Manuel Lobo, Governor of Rio de Janeiro, to be a Portuguese rival to Buenos Aires, directly…

Cabo Polonio

Named after Joseph Polloni, captain of the Nuestra Señora del Rosario, wrecked here in 1753 (and not after a ship called the Polonio), this is one…

Canelones’ wineries

The first vines in Uruguay (probably Muscat table grapes) were planted near Colonia in 1688, and wine was soon being produced for domestic consumption…

José Ignacio

The small fishing village of José Ignacio has recently been transformed into one of the world’s most chic and exclusive holiday destinations, with boutique…

Quebrada de los Cuervos National Park

The Quebrada de los Cuervos is the largest canyon in Uruguay, with subtropical forest at its bottom and many species of birds and flowers…

San Javier

Settled by Russians of the rather odd New Israel sect in 1913, the village of San Javier is now the main jumping-off point for…

When to visit Uruguay

Climate Uruguay has a warm-temperate (or subtropical) climate – in fact it’s the only South American country to be wholly within the temperate zone.…

Food and drink in Uruguay

Food Although Uruguay is famed for its steak and other meat products (even better than Argentina’s, at least according to the Uruguayans), there’s also…

Health and safety in Uruguay

Health Diseases and vaccinations Uruguay is a clean temperate country with very few nasty diseases or health risks, and a good standard of health…

Travel and visas in Uruguay

Visas Citizens of the EU and most other European and American countries (except several ex-Soviet and Balkan states) require only a passport for visits…

Estancia La Sirena

Estancia La Sirena is a delightful, historic ranch situated in the north, near the river. Founded in the mid-18th century, the house was a…

Fray Bentos

To Uruguayans, Fray Bentos is known largely for its international bridge to Argentina and the blockades that kept it closed as a result of…

Montevideo

Uruguay’s capital, indeed its only major city, sits on the estuary of the River Plate, with 13km of beaches linked by a waterfront boulevard…

Termas de Daymán

It is 9km south on Ruta 3 (which has a new cycleway) to the Termas de Daymán, the largest and liveliest of all the…