South America · Uruguay
Eleven days by car along the Río de la Plata and the Atlantic: Colonia del Sacramento, the wineries of Carmelo, Montevideo, Punta del Este and the wild coast of Rocha, with two nights at each stop.
Quick facts
Indicative price from
€1,999
per person
This itinerary is a starting point: we'll adapt it with you in your tailor-made proposal.
Request informationUruguay is a small, relaxed country, perfect to explore by car. From Buenos Aires you cross the Río de la Plata by ferry to Colonia del Sacramento, a town founded by the Portuguese and a UNESCO site, where you pick up the car. Then Carmelo, between the river and Tannat vineyards, and Montevideo, with the Ciudad Vieja, the Teatro Solís and the grills of the Mercado del Puerto.
Along the Atlantic coast you reach Punta del Este, the most elegant seaside resort in South America, passing Casapueblo. The last stop is Rocha, the wildest coast: lagoons, dunes and villages such as Cabo Polonio and Punta del Diablo.
Self-drive trip with an unlimited-mileage rental car and 10 nights in hotels with breakfast.
11 days in the programme
Across the Río de la Plata. Ferry from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento. On arrival, pick-up of the rental car and check-in at the hotel.
The Portuguese town. A day in the Barrio Histórico, a UNESCO site: the cobbled streets, the Calle de los Suspiros, the lighthouse and the citadel gate. In the evening, sunset over the river from the rambla.
Along the river. A short drive north to Carmelo, a small town on the Río de la Plata. Time for the marina and the swing bridge over the Arroyo de las Vacas.
Vineyards and countryside. A free day: Plaza Independencia, the Casa de la Cultura in Ignacio Barrios's old residence and the surrounding wineries, which make Tannat, Uruguay's signature red.
To the capital. A drive to Montevideo and check-in at the hotel. A first walk along the Rambla, the waterfront promenade that runs for more than twenty kilometres.
The Ciudad Vieja. A day in the city: the cathedral, the Cabildo, the Teatro Solís and Plaza Independencia with the Palacio Salvo, then Plaza Fabini in the newer centre. Lunch at the grills of the Mercado del Puerto.
Along the coast. A drive east along the coast, stopping at Punta Ballena for Casapueblo, the white house-studio of the artist Carlos Páez Vilaró. Arrival in Punta del Este and check-in at the hotel.
Beaches and harbour. A free day between Playa Brava, with the Hand sculpture rising from the sand, Playa Mansa and the harbour. By car you can reach José Ignacio, a fishing village by the sea.
The wild coast. On to the department of Rocha, among sierras, coastal lagoons and long Atlantic beaches. Check-in at the hotel.
Lagoons and dunes. A day to explore the region: Cabo Polonio, a village with no roads among the dunes and a sea lion colony, reached by off-road truck, Punta del Diablo and the Santa Teresa fortress.
End of the trip. Drive back to Montevideo, car drop-off at the airport and flight home.
