11 days
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16:09 22-07-2021
You may not have thought of visiting Uruguay, but this laid-back rural oasis of wild beaches, rolling pastures and friendly estancias makes for a uniquely relaxing holiday. With the freedom of your own hire car and blissfully quiet roads, travel at your own pace between the delightfully varied accommodation we have pre-booked for you: a welcoming farm lodge, an authentic family-run winery and a laid-back hotel on the coast.
Begin your stay in the fertile vineyards and verdant countryside just outside Montevideo. Explore the vibrant capital or take an optional excursion to Uruguay’s oldest and prettiest colonial town, Colonia. With your hire car, drive on to Rocha, a remote and beautiful region boasting wild sand dunes, shimmering lagoons and a multitude of birds. After a few days in this natural haven, you’ll continue to the chic beach town of José Ignacio with its al fresco restaurants, upscale boutiques and charming low-key atmosphere.
After landing in Montevideo airport, transfer for around 40 minutes to the fertile slopes and sundrenched vineyards of the Pizzorno Estate, where you’ll be staying for three nights. The family-run winery gives an authentic taste of traditional Uruguayan winemaking, where grapes are harvested by hand and wine is stored in top quality oak barrels. You’ll be staying in a cosy lodge with the welcoming feel of a family home; there are just four guest rooms, each with a private deck offering picturesque views of the verdant countryside.
You may wish to spend a few days simply relaxing at Pizzorno Lodge, sampling sumptuous local wines while drinking in views of the undulating landscapes. But for those looking to explore further afield, there are excursions to entice you away.
Spend a day in Uruguay’s lively yet laid-back waterfront capital city, Montevideo, where sleek skyscrapers contrast with art deco façades and grand colonial buildings. Drive along a pretty riverside promenade to the historic centre, where your guide acquaint you with the narrow, cobbled streets of the Old Town. You’ll stroll past many of the city’s main highlights, from the Taranco Palace and Museum of National History to the Independence Square and Solis Theatre.
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Today you have the option to explore Uruguay’s oldest town. As a World Heritage Site, Colonia is a charming patchwork of terracotta roofs and quaint, winding streets. The historic city’s outer limits are marked by a cathedral and lighthouse, and its 17th century convent and the old theatre, the Bastion del Carmen, are well worth a visit.
A friendly guide will drive you to Montevideo airport and assist you in picking up your hire car, then you’ll be off on the open road to Rocha, Uruguay’s wildest and arguably most beautiful department. Your drive follows 280km of quiet roads, with inland views over rolling pastures and endless stretches of rugged, golden coastline to your right. Past the glitzy resort of Punta del Este, you’ll find some of Uruguay’s most alluring and undeveloped countryside. Powder-white and creamy gold beaches are lapped by the glittering ocean, while inland Rocha is a picture of tranquility dotted with old estancia houses, ombu and palm trees. Though there are not many people around, you’ll share this peaceful oasis with an astonishing variety of native and migratory birds.
Spend the next three nights at Estancia Guardia del Monte, a beautiful working ranch on the shores of Laguna de Castillos. Set within easy reach of thriving wetlands, meadow pastures and the sweeping sand dunes of the Atlantic coast, this colonial-style hacienda beams a rustic, welcoming atmosphere. Rooms are cosy and give you a feel for rural Uruguayan life, with plenty of local wood, stone and unique artworks. The grounds are delightful, with bougainvillea and hydrangeas brightening the lawns and framing views of a tranquil lagoon beyond.
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You have two full days to enjoy your surroundings. There are plenty of optional outdoor activities to take part in around the estancia, from horse-rides and canoe trips to guided walks and bird watching.
With your hire car, you also have complete freedom to explore beautiful nearby attractions. One of Uruguay’s main highlights, Cabo Polonio National Park, is just a short drive away. Reconnect with nature on a bracing walk along its sand dunes and wild, windy coastlines. The remote hamlet of Cabo Polonio itself feels almost cut off from the outside world, with its brightly painted houses, towering lighthouse, local restaurants and raucous sea lion colony. Rocha also has several small beach resorts such as La Pedrera and La Paloma, which are ideal for a day out in the open air and are particularly popular among surfers.
It’s just under 120km to drive to José Ignacio, a charming upscale village whose sandy streets are lined with tasteful boutiques and independent art galleries. For much of the year there is a distinctly laid-back atmosphere; there are no more than a few hundred permanent residents and the low- rise buildings keep a cosy, small town feel. But the population swells considerably during the summer when many celebrities and affluent stars visit for a low-key holiday.
You’ll be staying at La Viuda de Jose Ignacio, around 3km from the town centre and just 200m from the glorious coastline, in a peaceful location away from the buzz of other visitors.
Spend a few relaxed days soaking up the vibe of this chic understated beach resort. You are just a short drive from a number of wonderful, undisturbed white sand beaches surrounded by pine forests and flowering acacia trees. A little way inland you’ll find Laguna Garzón, a shimmering lagoon that teems with birdlife, set amongst idyllic bucolic landscapes of vineyards and olive groves.
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Your drive from José Ignacio back to Montevideo airport should take around two hours, although it’s best to allow an extra hour in case of delays. At the airport, drop off your car with the rental company and take your international flight home.
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Services of our team of Wine tasting Tips and gratuities experts in our London office base Explore Montevideo Meals other than specified Services of Journey Latin Self-drive to Uruguay's Airport taxes, when not America local beaches included in the ticket representatives and guides Optional excursions* Land transfers as described *Where a local company Car hire days 4-11 organises an optional excursion it does so as a Accommodation as specified principal and not as an agent of Journey Latin America. Meals as specified Excursions as specified, including entrance fees
2 transfers; car hire for 8 days (medium-size manual or automatic vehicle).
Hotels are of a comfortable mid-range standard, with on-site restaurant facilities. Your estancia is rustic and typically authentic, family-owned property and dinner is included. Please see the itinerary for more details.
Breakfast daily; dinner days 1-7.
We carefully select our local partners; their English-speaking guides understand the expectations of our clients very well, and are consistently singled out for praise by clients on their return.
11 days; 10 nights. Winery near Montevideo (3), Countryside estancia (3), Jose Ignacio (4).
The unit of currency is the Uruguayan Peso (UYU).
A guideline budget of around £40 per person per day should cover the cost of meals not included in the holiday itinerary, drinks and the odd souvenir. Eat at the best restaurants and you will pay considerably more. Allow around US$100 to cover fuel.
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In Uruguay, we recommend paying for your restaurant bills with a credit or debit card. Such transactions are usually exempt of IVA (sales tax) which is currently 22%. This is subject to government approval each year.
Cash machines are available in all major towns, and so a debit or credit card is the most convenient way of withdrawing money while on your trip, and in most shops and restaurants you can also pay by card. However, it's best not to reply solely on plastic as your only source of funding in case your card gets blocked or just doesn't work in the local ATM.
We therefore also recommend taking a reasonable quantity of US dollars cash (no more than is covered by your insurance), which may be useful in emergencies if you cannot use a card or get hold of local currency. Dollar bills should be in good condition, soiled or torn bills may be refused. We don't recommend taking sterling, as the exchange rate is not always competitive or even available.
Tips are expected and local guides often rely on their tip as a significant proportion of their income.
Most service industry workers will expect a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for hotel porters, taxi drivers and the like. It is common to leave 10 – 12% in restaurants.
Travel insurance is essential. You should ensure you have travel insurance with coverage for all expenses associated with Covid-19. Journey Latin America’s recommended insurance company is Campbell Irvine, and their medical and repatriation cover is handled by International Medical Assistance. Details of our recommended policy can be found on our Travel Insurance page. Car insurance: Your trip is based on a medium category 2WD vehicle. Limited collision damage waiver and vehicle theft protection (CDW/TP) cover is included. There may be an excess payable but additional CDW/TP cover with zero excess can usually be purchased at additional cost. Please check the level of your coverage with us when making your booking. We strongly recommend you consider buying your own car hire excess waiver insurance policy before you travel: these are widely available from insurance companies in the UK. All incidents involving collision, robbery and theft must be reported to the police and a report obtained.
An international driving licence is recommended for Uruguay. Since 8 June 2015 no paper counterpart of UK driving licences is required but you need to apply to the DVLA for a code. This may be required by the rental company when you collect your car. Please check https://www.gov.uk/government/news/driving-licence- changes for further details.
You will need to return the car to the specified office at the end of the rental period. If you are leaving on a morning flight we advise you to do this the day before you depart.
If you have purchased your flights through Journey Latin America, the international departure tax is usually included in the ticket.
This holiday is suitable for all able reasonably fit visitors. If you are travelling alone or have a disability or other special requirement, please do call us.
There is around 550km of self-driving over the holiday, spread over 3 days, and there are several days at leisure in between time so you won’t have long days of driving on consecutive days. Roads are paved, well signed, and traffic is generally light though coast roads can be busy in the summer. Driving standards are generally good.
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Uruguay is an all-year destination, but best enjoyed in late spring, summer and early autumn (mid-November to mid-March). Temperatures range from 10-16°C in the southern hemisphere winter, while in the high summer they can leap into the 30s°. Wet and windy conditions outside high summer are not unheard of, so we suggest avoiding May to October if you want to go to the beach. Rainfall is moderate and varies little over the year, apart from July-August when there are prolonged wet periods.
This itinerary does not include any time spent at high altitude (over 2,500m).
The southern hemisphere summer will be hot, therefore bring loose-fitting light clothing for maximum comfort at this time. An umbrella is a good idea in case of a tropical shower. Spring and autumn are milder and less predictable.
South America is in general a relaxed continent and you won’t need clothes for formal dining but you may wish to take some smart casual wear for dining at the estancias or at top of the range restaurants.
Preventative vaccinations are recommended against the following: typhoid; polio; tetanus; hepatitis A. You should consult your GP for specific requirements.
You can also find helpful information on the Masta Travel Health website.
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.
16:09 22-07-2021 11 days
16:09 22-07-2021