After nearly a month in Uruguay, it was time to continue our South American journey to Argentina. Naturally, our first destination would be its vibrant capital city, Buenos Aires. It’s possible to travel overland from Montevideo to Buenos Aires via the nearest bridge over the Uruguay River at Fray Bentos. But since this would take a full day on the road, the better choice is … [Read more...]
What to Do in Colonia del Sacramento: Uruguay’s Oldest City
Colonia del Sacramento is a small city on the southwestern coast of Uruguay, located directly across the Río de la Plata from Buenos Aires. Founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, it changed hands several times between the Spanish and Portuguese before becoming part of Uruguay. Its Barrio Histórico (historic quarter) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for cobbled streets, … [Read more...]
A Day Trip to Rocha, Uruguay
Rocha city is the capital of the Rocha Department in southeastern Uruguay, located about 30 kilometers inland from the Atlantic coast. With a population of around 25,000, it functions as the region’s administrative and commercial center, serving both local residents and the surrounding rural and coastal communities. The city itself is low-key and largely residential, with a few … [Read more...]
Our Day Trip to Cabo Polonio National Park, Uruguay
Cabo Polonio is a remote coastal settlement and national park located along Uruguay’s eastern shore, within the Rocha Department, about 40 kilometers northeast of La Paloma. It’s known for its off-grid lifestyle—there’s no public electricity or running water in most homes—and for the surreal mix of shifting sand dunes, rocky outcrops, and crashing Atlantic waves that define its … [Read more...]
What to Do in La Paloma: Living Slow in Uruguay’s Coastal Gem
La Paloma is a small coastal town located in the Rocha Department of southeastern Uruguay, facing the Atlantic Ocean. Known primarily as a laid-back beach destination, it has long attracted Uruguayans and Argentinians during the summer months, though it remains relatively quiet and low-key compared to larger resort towns. Its main beach, Playa Bahía Chica, sits within a … [Read more...]
From Montevideo to La Paloma by Bus
After three days of introduction to Uruguay in Montevideo, it was time to move on. Our next stop? La Paloma—a laid-back holiday town 227 kilometers west along the Uruguayan coast. We booked a 6 am bus with a company called Cot from this website—tickets came out to about €15 each. Not bad. The early start meant dragging ourselves out of bed at an ungodly hour. After a … [Read more...]
What to See in Montevideo, Uruguay: Our 3-Day Itinerary
Montevideo is the capital and largest city of Uruguay, located along the northeastern bank of the Río de la Plata. It serves as the country’s political, cultural, and economic center, home to nearly half of Uruguay’s population. The city blends colonial architecture in its Ciudad Vieja (Old City) with beachside neighborhoods like Pocitos, known for their relaxed atmosphere. A … [Read more...]
From Porto Alegre to Montevideo by Bus
Our three-month stay in Brazil had come to an end. With our visa set to expire the next day, it was time to head to Uruguay. We were in Porto Alegre, the capital of Brazil’s southernmost state. But we still had 380 km to go before reaching the border—and a staggering 806 km to Montevideo. One long haul ahead. We booked a night bus with the EGA company on this website for … [Read more...]
