Uruguay Travel Guide

Uruguay is located in the Southern section of South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil. It hosts around 3.5 million people with about 88% from European descent.

Uruguay's small economy benefits from a favourable climate for agriculture and substantial hydropower production. Economic performance remains sensitive to factors in Argentina and Brazil, largely because more than half of Uruguay's trade is conducted with its partners in Mercosur (the Southern Cone Common Market).

As South America's smallest Spanish-speaking country, Uruguay is often overlooked by tourists visiting the region. However, with its vibrant night life and stunning coastline Uruguay is well worth discovering.

Due to its strategic position on the north shore of the Rio de la Plata, Uruguay's territory was hotly contested from the first European settlements, initially by Spain and Portugal, then by the emerging regional powers of Argentina and Brazil. Uruguay officially gained independence in 1830.

A delightfully low-key, hospitable place, modern Uruguay enjoys a high quality of living but draws fewer tourists than neighbouring Brazil and Argentina. Visitors here can melt into the background and experience the everyday life of a different culture - whether horse riding under the big sky of Uruguay's sparsely populated interior or strolling amongst locals along Montevideo's 15km- (9 miles) long beachfront.

The three most popular destinations are the culturally vibrant capital Montevideo, the picturesque 17th-century port of Colonia, and the modern and trendy coastal resort Punta del Este, which lures jetsetters from around the globe to its high quality sand beaches, fine bars and restaurants and party-till-you-drop nightclubs. Visitors with more time should explore the dunes and lagoons of Uruguay's long Atlantic coastline, soak in the warm springs near Salto, or spend the night at a tourist estancia amidst the wide-open grandeur of the country.