Highlights of Uruguay

On this Uruguay trip, you’ll explore the capital city of Montevideo, located on the shores of the Rio de La Plata. Next, you will relax in the charming Jose Ignacio area, where the countryside meets the beach and the place to be during South American summers.

Day 1: Arrival in Montevideo
Welcome to Montevideo! Upon arrival, you’ll be picked up at the airport and transferred to your boutique hotel, which offers views of the river and located in the heart of Montevideo.

During your time in Montevideo, we suggest exploring Ciudad Vieja, the bustling old town, which is filled with auction houses, cafes, boutiques, and a mix of Art Deco and Beaux-Arts buildings, along with colonial churches and bustling squares. You can visit the flea market, where you can find unique items such as mate gourds, gaucho knives, and prints from the 60s and 70s.

Also, make sure to stop by Mercado Agricola, an iron structure from the early 1900s, with stained-glass windows. Recently renovated, it was named as one of the most architecturally significant food markets in South America. Here, you can sample a variety of goods from dry-aged beef to herbs, coffee, pastries, and even ice cream from the renowned Del Nieto & Cia.

A great visit would also be the home of world-famous architect Julio Vilamajó, who, along with Oscar Niemeyer and Le Corbusier, helped design the United Nations headquarters.

For dinner, we recommend Tandory (Ramon Masini esq. Libertad, Montevideo; tel: +598 2709 6616) the quintessential fusion restaurant. Chef Gabriel Coquel offers a culinary journey around the world with incredible dishes. It is no easy feat to achieve excellence in so many types of cuisine, but Chef Coquel has mastered the culinary art from the four corners of the earth. The menu offers Malaysian, European, Chinese and South American inspired dishes but we suggest asking the chef himself what he recommends. This small, eclectic restaurant delights with both delicious food and the charismatic charm of its owner.

Montevideo, Uruguay

Day 2: Montevideo
At 10am, we’ll begin a tour of Montevideo. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to marvel at the Old City, with its rich colonial architecture that gives Montevideo its unique charm. You will also visit the Port Market, the central hub of the city, offering you an authentic glimpse inside the culture and atmosphere of city.

Next, you’ll visit Independence Square, home to the statue of Uruguay’s national hero, Jose Gervasio Artigas, and the Legislative Palace.

Afterward, you’ll explore El Prado, a meadow which is city’s favourite spot for a romantic stroll.

The tour contiues through the neighbourhoods of Carrasco, Punta Gorda and Pocitos, where you can meet with the friendly locals, and learn about daily life in Uruguay.

Finally, you’ll stroll along the sensational promenade and enjoy the beautiful beaches.

Day 3: Montevideo – José Ignacio
At 10:00 AM, Marino Sport will deliver your car to your hotel, and you’ll drive north to the beautiful town of José Ignacio, where you can relax on the beach by the Atlantic Ocean. You will stay at Bahia Vik, a luxury boutique property ideally located in this coastal town, in a Full Ocean View Suite.

You’ll have plenty of time to relax at the beach, enjoy the beautiful Uruguayan weather, and savor the local seafood at the renowned restaurants La Huella or La Susana.

On your way from Montevideo, you might want to stop at Fundación Atchugarry in La Barra. This nonprofit institution, founded in 2007 by sculptor Pablo Atchugarry, was created to promote the arts and provide a meeting place for artists of all disciplines. It’s an ideal location where nature and art come together as one.

Bahia Vik, Jose Ignacio, Uruguay

Day 4 – Day 7: José Ignacio
During your stat in José Ignacio, you can relax on the beach, taste the local seafood at La Susana or La Huella, or take a leisurely stroll along the Mansa and Brava beaches.

You can also visit the Piero Atchugarry Sculpture Park in nearby Garzón. Created by Pablo’s Atchugarry’s son Piero, it has been welcoming visitors since its opening in 2013.

The 22-hectare land surrounding the gallery showcases the natural beauty of the Uruguayan landscape, with minimal human interference, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the scenery and the sculptures. The monumental artworks and the grandiosity of the landscape, create an unforgettable, phenomenological experience for visitors.

While in the area, you could visit the nearby vineyards in Garzón, visit art galleries in La Barra, or stop at Pueblo Garzón to enjoy a meal at celebrity chef Francis Mallmann’s restaurant.

Fundacion Atchugarry, Uruguay

Day 8: José Ignacio – Departure
You should return your car to Montevideo Airport in time for your flight back home.

Farewell Uruguay!