Oriental Republic of Uruguay
PART 1, General Information
PART 2, BLOGS Pictures and Gallery 2017
PART 1, GENERAL INFORMATION 2017
Capital city: Montevideo
Population: 3.325000
Currency: Uruguayan Peso
Km travelled: 725
Days in Uruguay: 16
Languages; Spanish
GENERAL
Uruguay: Latin America’s Quiet Success Story
Uruguay stands out as Latin America’s least corrupt country and leads the region in numerous key areas, including democracy, peace, quality of life, digital governance, freedom of the press, and overall security. Remarkably, this progress has been achieved despite the country’s authoritarian past — Uruguay was under military dictatorship until 1985.
Today, over half of its 3.3 million citizens reside in the capital city, Montevideo. Beyond its urban center, Uruguay is known for its vast countryside and agricultural heritage — a place where cattle outnumber people nearly four to one, with 12 million cows to just 3 million people.
Education is a cornerstone of Uruguayan society. With a literacy rate of 98.1% among adults, the country ranks among the highest in the world. This achievement stems from a long-standing commitment to free and compulsory education for all citizens.
Socially, Uruguay is one of the most progressive nations in Latin America. It consistently ranks highly in global indices measuring personal freedoms, inclusivity, and human rights. In a bold move reflecting its progressive stance, Uruguay became the first country in the world to fully legalize the production, sale, and use of marijuana — but only for its citizens. Tourists cannot legally purchase cannabis, though they can accept it as a gift or enjoy it socially with local friends.
Uruguay’s blend of stability, social advancement, and quiet innovation makes it a unique and inspiring example on the global stage.
TOURIST HIGHLIGHTS
We didn’t get to spend as much time in Uruguay as we’d hoped, mainly due to two reasons: first, we were running out of time, and second, we encountered issues with storing the truck — Uruguayan customs had seized all foreign trucks in the Colonia del Sacramento area. As a result, our route was limited to the East Coast from the Brazilian border down to Montevideo, Colonia del Sacramento, and then up along the eastern border to the Argentine frontier.
Despite the brief visit, one thing was immediately clear: Uruguayans are as passionate about asado (barbecue) as their Argentine neighbors. As one of the world’s top beef exporters — and with an impressive average consumption of 81.5 kilos (about 180 pounds) of beef per person each year — it’s a country where meat is truly a way of life.
PUNTA DEL ESTE
With the ocean lapping at one side of the Punta del Este peninsula and the Rio de la Plata on the other, high-rise hotels attract a glitzy Miami-style crowd. Hipper beach bums in search of a relaxed experience head east to Boho bolthole Jose Ignacio, a fishing village where Latin America’s extremely wealthy pitch up in private mansions every January. Visit Playa Mansa and Playa Brava, known for its famous sculpture of fingers emerging from the sand.
MONTEVIDEO
With a unique atmosphere that combines Latin American and European cultural influences, Montevideo is known for its rich theatrical and musical scene. See the beautifully restored Solis Theatre — one of the first theatres in South America. Admire the impressive colonial architecture of Plaza Independencia, including the Palacio Salvo. See the majestic marble statue of national military hero General José Gervasio Artigas and visit Montevideo’s old and new quarters. As vibrant as it is varied, Montevideo abounds with culture and excellent dining options. A must do is to eat lunch with the locals in one of the restaurants in Mercado del Puerto, the old covered market situated right on the port, and visits to picturesque Ciudad Vieja and Barrio Sur neighbourhoods.
COLONIA DEL SACREMENTO
Founded by the Portuguese in 1680, this sleepy riverside town is one of Uruguay’s oldest — travel is pure time warp in Colonia del Sacramento. A 17th-century convent, lighthouse and drawbridge form the heart of the UNESCO-protected Barrio Historico, while vintage automobiles lining quaint cobbled streets offer up a Havana-esque ambience.
THE CHACO
Covering sixty percent of the country, the Chaco is a semi-arid floodplain where you find an abundance of plants, animals and interesting land formations. Most popular are the Central Chaco lagoons. This is home to lots of Chilean flamingos during winter or sandpipers and plovers between September and December.
THE URUGUAYAN COAST
The Uruguayan Coast
Often dubbed the playground of Brazil’s and Argentina’s elite, Uruguay’s coastline offers far more than just glitz and glamour. Punta del Este, the country’s most developed and luxurious beach resort, draws the rich and famous with its upscale nightlife, modern amenities, and vibrant beach scene. But for overlanders seeking a deeper, more authentic experience of Uruguay, the real magic lies further north.
Here, the coast transforms into a string of laid-back beach towns, pristine stretches of sand, and sleepy fishing villages that reflect the country’s relaxed rhythm of life. The landscape is dotted with untouched coastal forests and wide, windswept beaches that seem to go on forever.
One of the region’s natural treasures is Cabo Polonio, a remote sand-dune reserve accessible by 4×4, where sea lion colonies bask lazily on rocky outcrops. Nearby, Santa Teresa National Park, just north of Punta del Diablo, offers a stunning blend of beach, forest, and wildlife — a perfect spot for hiking, and camping,
The northern coast of Uruguay remains a hidden gem — a place where time slows down and nature takes center stage.
SANTA THERESA NATIONAL PARK
Great beaches, great camping and spectacular forest. Named after an 18th century fort that is still standing in its original position atop a hill. The Uruguay army handles the management and maintenance of Santa Teresa. This means that the rules are going to be strictly enforced. This coastal area is one of Uruguay’s hidden treasures, but you should be prepared for lots of wind and waves up to 2 meters (surfers love it).
CLIMATE
Uruguay has a climate that is relatively mild and fairly uniform nationwide. Extremes in temperature are rare. High humidity and fog are common. The absence of mountains, which act as weather barriers, makes all locations vulnerable to high winds and rapid changes in weather as fronts or storms sweep across the country. Both summer and winter weather may vary from day to day with the passing of storm fronts, where a hot northerly wind may occasionally be followed by a cold wind named the Pampero. The ocean is cool however it reaches around 22 degrees in January, February and March in the Punta del Este region.
MONTEVIDEO
Summer temp: from 15 at night to 28 degrees during the day.
Winter temp: from 7 degrees at night to 16 degrees during the day
Rain : consistent throughout the year with around 100mm per month.
THE FAR NORTH EAST OF URUGUAY
Summer temp: between 18 degrees at night to 32 degrees during the day
Winter temp: between 7 degrees at night to 21 during the day
Rain is consistent throughout the year around 120mm per month
PART 2, BLOGS PICTURES AND GALLERY 2017
Welcome from Uruguay, the second smallest country in South America—only Suriname is smaller. Our first impressions were overwhelmingly positive: perfectly smooth roads, excellent infrastructure, and clean, well-maintained national parks greeted us as we crossed the border at Chuy, just 19 days before we fly back home for a short break.
The name Uruguay means “river of the colorful birds,” a word rooted in Guarani, the language once spoken by the native people of this region. Our plan is to beach-hop our way to Colonia del Sacramento, soaking in the relaxed coastal vibe along the way.
Beyond the beautiful beaches, one of the most striking features of the landscape is its abundance of watercourses and vast, flat terrain. It quickly became clear why Uruguay is known primarily as a summer beach destination, especially popular with Argentinians and Brazilians looking to unwind by the sea.
Mount Cathedral, at 514 meters, is the highest point in Uruguay, standing prominently over a low range of hills that distinguish themselves in the landscape. The country’s windswept Atlantic coastline is marked by rolling dunes and tranquil lagoons.
While Argentina is renowned for its world-class steaks, Uruguay actually holds the title for the highest beef consumption per capita. Though many agree Argentina produces the finest cuts, don’t mention that to Uruguayans—or Brazilians, for that matter—who are fiercely proud of their own cuisine. Uruguayans are also deeply passionate about football, with national pride centered around their world-famous striker, Luis Suárez.
Border to Montevideo
Our first stop was Parque Nacional Santa Teresa, a beautiful spot located right on the beach and stocked with plenty of free firewood. The area is supervised and maintained by the armed forces, which adds to the sense of safety and order. In two words: perfect and free.
In summer, camping here comes at a cost, as the park offers over 2,000 campsites and becomes quite popular. But during our visit, we were the only campers—peaceful and serene.
We took the scooter to explore nearby and visited Punta del Diablo, a small coastal village with a year-round population of just over 100. However, during Christmas and New Year, it explodes to over 30,000, becoming a prime summer getaway for Uruguayans and Argentinians alike. It’s considered the epicentre of Uruguay’s backpacker beach scene.
Outside of peak season, Punta del Diablo offers a stunning, quiet shoreline and a laid-back lifestyle—making it an excellent stop.
Further south lies Cabo Polonio, a small, bohemian village where residents rely on renewable energy sources like solar panels and modern wind turbines. Fresh water is drawn from wells, reflecting the community’s off-grid lifestyle.
Our next stop was Punta del Este—often dubbed the “Miami Beach of Uruguay.” Famous for its beaches and vibrant nightlife, Punta del Este is the ideal destination for sunbathing, tanning, and enjoying wild parties known locally as kilombos. It’s especially popular among Brazilians and Argentineans, and the city has seen its fair share of celebrity visitors.
However, as mentioned earlier, Uruguay is very much a summer destination. When we traveled south along the coast, about 90% of the places were closed. The city truly comes alive between late December and February, when wealthy vacationers from Argentina and Brazil flock to Punta del Este and dance until sunrise in the discotheques of nearby La Barra.
We now arrived in Overlander Country, we were faced with some disappointing news regarding the Temporary Import Papers and recent changes in Uruguay’s customs regulations. It was clear we needed to gather more information. Uruguay, often referred to as the “Switzerland of South America,” is known for its well-developed financial sector, which has long been associated with bank secrecy. It’s no surprise that we encountered many Swiss, German, and French travelers here.
The south coast, in particular, is a hotspot for overlanders, much like Namibia, with Swiss and German travelers often forming tight-knit communities. During our travels, we came across a place called Suize Paraíso in the quiet coastal town of Atlántida, a peaceful campground run by a Swiss couple. It was a popular spot, and true to its reputation, it was filled with overlanders from Switzerland, France, and Germany.
This was the first time in our six months of traveling through South America that we truly connected with other overlanders. It was here that we first heard troubling news from fellow travelers: Uruguay’s customs had recently shut down two or possibly three motorhome storage areas, with all vehicles in those locations being impounded.
MONTIVIDEO to BORDER ARGENTINA
Not used to commercial campgrounds, we found them to be quite expensive, so we decided to leave for Montevideo, where we managed to find a parking spot on the beach. We’re not really city people, and Montevideo wasn’t a place we particularly enjoyed, except for its breezy promenades and sandy beaches. According to tourist brochures, the city boasts the highest quality of life in South America, but locals told us the city is rapidly deteriorating and is far from the splendor it once had. Nearly half of Uruguay’s population lives in Montevideo, but despite its size, we found the city to be lacking in charm.
One place we were told we absolutely had to visit was the Mercado del Puerto, an old, covered market that’s home to several restaurants grilling steaks and various cuts of meat all day long. The food was fantastic, but what truly made the place interesting was its dark, smoky atmosphere, giving it a unique character.
We spent the night parked right on La Rambla, a 22-kilometer boardwalk stretching along Montevideo’s waterfront and beaches. While it was nice, we were eager to find a quieter beach before heading to Colonia del Sacramento, so we decided it was time to leave town.
Colonia del Sacramento was a refreshing contrast, reminding us of life from years ago with its charming cobbled streets. As Uruguay’s oldest city, the historic district of Colonia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and walking through it felt like stepping back in time.
MOTORHOME STORAGE
Recently, there’s been a surprising shift in Uruguay’s approach to the law surrounding motorhome parking. Historically, the country has been lenient with the Temporary Importation Permit (TIP) law, allowing motorhome owners to leave the country while leaving their vehicles stored in Uruguay. However, this practice is now officially prohibited, and it’s become a hot topic of discussion. A court decision is expected on October 18.
For a while, we struggled to get a clear story from the owner of a Swiss camping and motorhome storage facility. The information kept changing, and it became apparent that, since September 14, he hadn’t been proactive in gathering accurate details. Frustrated, we decided to take matters into our own hands and visited the National Office of Aduanas in Montevideo to get the correct information.
You can read more about the situation, including the closure of the first motorhome storage facility and the impoundment of vehicles, here:
As of now, over 70 motorhomes have been impounded across three different storage facilities, and owners are anxiously awaiting the outcome of the case. No vehicles have been released, and the judge has requested an additional 10 days before a final meeting with Aduanas, lawyers, and motorhome owners. This meeting will determine the next steps. Many owners have been waiting in Uruguay for the return of their vehicles since September 15.
In light of this uncertainty, we’ve decided to take a short break and head home before resuming our South American adventure. Our next stop will be Buenos Aires, from where we’ll continue our journey through Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Bolivia.
LATEST NEWS, VEHICLES ARE RELEASED IN DEC 2017
BUT NO DETAILS ABOUT FUTURE PARKING IN URUGUAY. in 2018, the above information could be out of date at the time of writing 2025.
PART 3, VIDEOS URUGUAY
(UNDER CONSTRUCTION)