Tourism in Uruguay (Switzerland of South America) .. Uruguay has long lived in the shadow of Brazil and Argentina, their larger and faster neighbors.

But in recent decades, this small country has finally gotten some of the recognition it deserves.

It's everything you want a vacation destination to be: progressive, culturally sophisticated, stable, packed with nature and outdoor adventure, and accessible.

Since it's not heavily on the global tourism radar, you'll get plenty of "local experience," which comes with great memories and stories to retell back home.

Uruguay offers beautiful beaches bordering the Atlantic Ocean - sun, sea, sand and surf - as well as fun and friendly beach resorts.

While scenic nature reserves lie inland side by side with vast cattle ranches.

Uruguay is very easy to travel around, it's a laid-back country with a lot to offer, so don't be surprised if you find yourself longing to return once you leave its shores.

Come and discover for yourself why it is called the Switzerland of South America.

Top 10 Tourist Places in Uruguay:

10. San Gregorio de Polanco

Come to San Gregor de Polanco for fresh, clean air, lush vegetation and blue water.

This is a fairly isolated area, which adds to its charm.

There are about 3000 people here and it is truly a natural paradise.

You can visit the local Museum of Visual Arts, the delightfully decorated OSE Water Tank, and the local parish which has an art gallery inside.

For such a secluded area, there are plenty of water activities on offer as well as amazing fishing.

Tourism in Uruguay (Switzerland of South America)

San Gregorio de Polanco

9. La Paloma City

La Paloma is a small town located on the Atlantic coast. It is a popular summer beach resort in South America and the people of Uruguay themselves, who flock here to enjoy the sun, sea and sand.

With its beautiful beaches, this laid-back town is great to visit and there are plenty of fun water sports to try such as surfing, sailing and windsurfing.

Anaconda Beach is one of the best beaches for sunbathing, watching the sunset over the ocean is absolutely amazing.

La Paloma's remote location is ideal for those looking to relax, making it ideal for a quiet and peaceful beach holiday.

No Paloma

8. Santa Teresa National Park

Bordering Punta del Diablo is the magnificent Santa Teresa National Park, which nature lovers will absolutely love as it features a variety of landscapes, ecosystems, animals and plants.

Much of the park consists of beautiful forests and coastal areas.

There are many great walking trails that cut through the dunes and forests where visitors can catch a glimpse of some of the wildlife that exists within the park.

Here in fact a great battle took place when Uruguay was striving to gain its independence.

One of the main historical sites here is the impressive Santa Teresa Castle, which dates back to 1762 and sits between the park's wetlands and the Atlantic Ocean.

The nature and history on display at Santa Teresa National Park will surely live long in the memory.

Santa Teresa National Park

7. Carmelo City

Filled with low-slung old houses and cobblestone streets, Carmelo is the place to go for stress-free water activities.

Fishing, yachting and exploring the Parana Delta are the main pastimes here.

Located near the confluence of the Rio Uruguay and the Rio de la Plata, here is a beautiful sheltered harbor.

Cross the bridge to the beach. Playa Seri With plenty of space for camping in the adjacent park.

Carmelo's Cafes

carmelo bridge

6. Pyriapolis

The beaches of Piriapolis are great for relaxing, and the long promenade that hugs the waterfront is perfect for relaxing strolls while enjoying the views of the sun and river.

One of the most popular beach resort towns in the country, it was actually created for this reason and also has a number of great hotels, restaurants, bars, casinos and shops, especially as you get closer to the coast.

Although most of Uruguay is quite flat, there are beautiful views here of the surrounding area – with two of the country's highest peaks nearby.

city of piriapolis

5. Salto City

Salto is the second largest city in the country, and people make their way here for the hot springs and outdoor activities available.

You will find a beautiful riverside town that is comfortable and allows you to relax easily.

Curiously, the city's hydroelectric dam, located 20 kilometers from the city, is a very popular tourist site.

Check out the hot springs at Always It has three pools of varying temperatures, different showers and fountains, and a great area to enjoy a picnic lunch.

I asked

Itapo Dam

4. Punta del Este City

A luxury beach resort town, it's so posh and glamorous that it's often called the Monaco or Saint Tropez of South America, with yachts, casinos and trendy cocktail bars abounding in this playground of the wealthy.

With plenty of bars, restaurants and clubs hugging the beautiful beachfront, it's a fun place to visit although it's quite expensive compared to the rest of the country.

The mansions along the waterfront really need to be seen to be believed.

Watching the sunset over the ocean is absolutely perfect.

Plus there are plenty of great water sports to try and great museums to visit.

Instead, you can relax on the beautiful beaches and watch the world go by.

Punta del Este Palaces

Punta del Este Beach

3. Tacuarembo City

Located in the north of the country, Tacuarembo is surrounded by rolling hills filled with cattle and sprawling fields.

There is a distinct cowboy feel to the place, and the culture, language and food here are completely different from the rest of Uruguay.

With beautiful leafy squares and tree-lined avenues to enjoy, walking around the city is a pleasant experience.

It is here that legendary tango star Carlos Gardel is said to have been born.

Main sights on offer include a beautiful cathedral, the picturesque 19th of April Plaza and a couple of interesting museums, while the surrounding area has some great waterfalls and caves to visit.

Everyone certainly falls in love with the Tacuarembo culture, language and cuisine that all seem to be influenced by almost everywhere.

Tacuarembo

2. Colonia del Sacramento City

Founded in the 17th century, Cologne is now classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You will love the old colonial buildings and cobblestone streets that provide plenty of character.

The city itself was, for a long time, a smuggling port and traded several times between the Portuguese and the Spanish.

As you can imagine, the main attraction is the old historic center.

In addition there are eight small museums here (all for one ticket price).

Moreover, the city lighthouse offers a beautiful view of the city and the river.

Visit Holy Communion Ring - It is an old bullfighting ring, enjoy some Asado Cologne , a favorite with locals.

Cologne streets

Street in the old town of Cologne

1. Montevideo City – Capital

Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, is a wonderful place to explore, and visitors to the city always come away having loved everything they've seen and done.

Home to nearly half of the country's entire population, it's a bustling, lively place, with plenty of theatres, art galleries and music venues on offer.

As the country's capital, Montevideo has something for everyone to enjoy, and the historic downtown area is captivating to explore, with beautiful neoclassical buildings dotted here and there.

For an authentic look at life in Montevideo, head to Puerto Market Full of shops and restaurants selling delicious local cuisine.

After that, you can go for a walk along The Rambla Scenic views bordering the Gulf.

With beautiful beaches nearby and Centenary Stadium A huge treat for football fans to check out; Montevideo really has it all.

Montevideo

Uruguay map

Tourism in Uruguay (Switzerland of South America)