Uruguay

Starting Price:	$4,427.00
Trip Length:	9 days

Cabo Polonio

Mercado del Puerto

Punta del Este

Countryside and Beach: Montevideo, Cabo Polonia and Punta del Este

Description Pricing Itinerary Hotels

Tour three exceptional and distinct Uruguayan highlights including Montevideo, Cabo Polonia, and Punta del Este. Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, is now home to about half of the population. Montevideo is also the location of cutting-edge art galleries, vast parks, and “asados”, traditional barbeques. Cabo Polonia is a small and charming fishing village, and our final stop, Punta del Este, is a well known seaside-resort town, a place to see and be seen.

Looking to explore Uruguay? Montevideo is, without a doubt, a “must-see.” Known for its high quality of life and worldliness, Montevideo is now home to about half of Uruguay’s population, not to mention cutting-edge art galleries, vast parks, historic architecture and “asados” worth writing home about. First settled by the Spanish and Portuguese as a mercantile and military base, Montevideo soon came to be Río de la Plata’s main port, a role that’s shaped the city’s profound cultural heritage in no small measure. On this particular tour, you’ll see the Prado district, the Legislative Palace, Mercado del Puerto, an indoor market full of small shops that sell books, crafts, clothing and textiles and so much more.

From Montevideo, you’ll head to Cabo de Polonia, a small fishing village that’s only accessible by horseback or by cars with four-wheeled drive on account of shifting sand dunes—sand dunes that make you feel as if you’re in the middle of the Sahara.

Last but not least, you’ll head to Uruguay’s most well known seaside-resort town: Punta del Este. Located in the province of Maldonado, just two hours from Montevideo (the capital of Uruguay), Punta del Este has come to be known for its long, white beaches; high-end resorts & restaurants; cutting-edge art galleries; all-night nightlife; and water sports, from sailing and fishing to windsurfing, jet-skiing, scuba diving and surfing. (Other non-water sports, such as polo, golf, tennis and rugby, are common Punta del Este pastimes as well.)

Additional information on this trip:

Days of Week the Trip can Start:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Dates this trip is NOT available for online booking (please submit a regular request):
20 December - 02 January
Visited Cities:
Montevideo, Punta del Este

Day 1

Montevideo
Overnight flight to Montevideo.

Day 2

Montevideo
Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Unpack, settle in or just take it easy. In the afternoon, you'll see the historic quarter— its highlights, its architectural nuances and galleries. After that, you'll explore El Mercado del Puerto, an indoor market with small shops that sell books, crafts, clothing and textiles. The market has come to be a venue for local, up-and-coming musicians a common "meet up" for Montevideanos. Be sure to take in the woodsmoke and try out some Uruguayan food for lunch (included).

Note: Hotel check-in is normally after 2 p.m. Early check-in may be granted (subject to availability, not guaranteed).

Day 3

Montevideo – Colonia – Montevideo
After breakfast, transfer to the bus station to take the bus to Colonia del Sacramento. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel.

In the afternoon, you'll explore Colonia's historic quarter—the stone-paved streets, colonial architecture, forts, Spanish and Portuguese museums, the port and last but by no means least, Ferrando Beach. From the beach, you'll follow the Coastal Rambla, an esplanade from the Old City to the "Real de San Carlos," and visit the bullring, the horses' race course and the old port. Lunch at Meson de la Plaza (included).

After lunch, you'll transfer to the bus terminal and take the bus to Montevideo. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel.

Day 4

Montevideo – Punta del Este
Transfer to Montevideo. Today you'll take a city tour featuring some of Punta del Este's foremost highlights, the port; Juan Gorlero, the main avenue, and some residential neighborhoods, such as the San Rafael, Rincón del Indio, Cantegril and Golf. After that, you'll cross La Barra, an undulated bridge, and visit the Indigenous Park as well as Mansa and Brava beaches and Beverly Hills, one of Punta del Este's most elegant neighborhoods.

And, last but not least, you'll visit Casapueblo, once the self-designed home of Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró's and now an art gallery, museum, hotel and sculpture in its own right. Transfer to Las Cumbres Boutique Hotel for overnight stay.

Day 5

Cabo Polonio – Estancia Guardia del Monte
After breakfast, you'll head for Cabo Polonio, a small fishing village that's only accessible by horseback or by cars with four-wheeled drive on account of shifting sand dunes—sand dunes that make you feel as if you're in the middle of the Sahara. You'll have lunch at La Perla, or The Pearl, a small, local posada, or lodge, that looks out on the sea. After lunch, you'll check out the seals and sea lions on the surrounding islands. (Collectively these islands have one of the largest populations of seals in the world.) Then, you'll continue on to Estancia Guardia Del Monte, located at the shores of the Castillos Lagoon, where you'll stay overnight. Dinner included.

Day 6

Estancia Guardia del Monte
Morning visit to an ombú forest, one of the few that still exist. Full Day dedicated to enjoy the estancia and its surroundings. You will be able to practice several activities like: horse-riding, fishing, bird-watching, and swimming at the Castillos Lagoon. Lunch, dinner and lodging are included at this estancia.

Day 7

Playa La Pedrera
After breakfast, transfer to La Pedrera. Day at leisure. Our recommendation is a visit to Rocha Palm Groves, where you can lie out under palm trees and explore the Black Lagoon. In the afternoon you'll visit the Ficus Forest and the Hill, known for its unrivaled view. Return to La Pedrera.

Day 8

Playa “La Pedrera”
Day at leisure for beach activities.

Day 9

Montevideo
Transfer to the Montevideo airport, where you'll catch your flight back home or overlap with an add-on of your choice.

Montevideo
3-star	Ermitage, Embajador or similar.
4-star	Melia Confort, NH Columbia or similar.
5-star	Belmont House, Sheraton or similar.
Deluxe	Radisson Victoria Plaza SUITE or similar

Occupancy Type	Standard 4-Star
Double	$4427
Single	$6628

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