55 days in Uruguay Itinerary

With plenty of modern casinos, well-developed beaches, chic restaurants, and upscale hotels, Punta del Este vacations draw visitors from Argentina, Brazil, and beyond.

Venture out of the city with trips to Piriapolis (Castillo de Piria, Cerro San Antonio, &more) and Playa Punta Ballena (in Punta Ballena). There's lots more to do: admire the masterpieces at Museo – Taller de Casapueblo, stroll through Playa Brava, kick back and relax at Playa Mansa, and don't miss a visit to Puerto de Punta del Este.

To find more things to do, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Punta del Este travel route planning site.

Charlotte, USA to Punta del Este is an approximately 17-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Uruguay Standard Time (UYT) is 2 hours. Traveling from Charlotte in December, expect nights in Punta del Este to be warmer, around 65°F, while days are somewhat warmer, around 75°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Rocha.

Relax on the remote, undeveloped beaches in Rocha, an eastern province of Uruguay noted for its sleepy beachfront towns and pristine nature.

Go for a jaunt from Rocha to La Pedrera to see La Pedrera about 32 minutes away. Spend the 17th (Sat) exploring nature at Santa Teresa National Park. Spend the 19th (Mon) exploring nature at Parque Nacional y Reserva de Fauna y Flora El Potrerillo de Santa Teresa. There's much more to do: steep yourself in history at Fortress of Santa Teresa, kick back and relax at Playa de Punta del Diablo, contemplate the waterfront views at Laguna de Rocha, and stroll through Beaches at Cabo Polonio.

To see traveler tips, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, read Rocha trip planner.

You can drive from Punta del Este to Rocha in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. December in Rocha sees daily highs of 75°F and lows of 65°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Punta del Diablo.

Formerly a sleepy little fishing town, Punta del Diablo has become a popular seaside getaway with a wealth of attractions natural and manmade.

On the 22nd (Thu), stroll through Parque Nacional de Cabo Polonio. Here are some ideas for day two: head outdoors with Cerro Buena Vista, then enjoy the sea views from Lighthouse of Cabo Polonio, then appreciate the history behind Faro Sandra Monumento A Artigas, and finally tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa de la Viuda.

For photos, where to stay, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our Punta del Diablo trip planner.

Getting from Rocha to Punta del Diablo by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. You'll gain 1 hour traveling from Rocha to Punta del Diablo due to the time zone difference. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Minas.

The capital of Lavalleja Department, Minas has a population of over 38,000.

Step out of Minas with an excursion to Represa Arq. Stewart Vargas in Villa Serrana--about 44 minutes away. There's much more to do: stroll around Parque Salto del Penitente, head outdoors with Cerro del Verdun, stop by Alfajores Artesanales Villa Serrana, and make a trip to Plaza Libertad.

To see ratings, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Minas journey planner.

Traveling by car from Punta del Diablo to Minas takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a bus. The time zone changes from Amazon Standard Time to Uruguay Standard Time, which is usually a 1 hour difference. In December, plan for daily highs up to 80°F, and evening lows to 62°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Tue) so you can drive to Salto.

In a thriving citrus-growing region, Salto allows visitors to explore attractive riverfront areas and admire neatly preserved 19th-century architecture.

Take a break from Salto with a short trip to Meseta de Artigas in Chapicuy, about 32 minutes away. There's still lots to do: take a memorable tour with Best Dorado Fishing, make a splash at Parque Termal Agua Clara, do a tasting at Bodega Bertolini & Broglio, and take in the architecture and atmosphere at Iglesia Catedral de San Juan.

For reviews, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, you can read our Salto driving holiday planner.

Traveling by car from Minas to Salto takes 8.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. When traveling from Minas in December, plan for somewhat warmer days in Salto, with highs around 88°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 64°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Sat) early enough to drive to Fray Bentos.

The capital of Rio Negro Department, Fray Bentos sits on the banks of the Uruguay River as one of the region's most important port towns.

Start off your visit on the 1st (Sun): take a leisurely stroll along Fray Bentos Rambla, see the interesting displays at Ex Frigorífico Anglo, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Balneario Las Canas. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 2nd (Mon): don't miss a visit to Represa de Palmar, then take in the pleasant sights at Rambla de Mercedes, and then make a trip to Plaza Constitucion.

For more things to do, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Fray Bentos itinerary builder tool.

Drive from Salto to Fray Bentos in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In December, plan for daily highs up to 88°F, and evening lows to 61°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Mon) so you can go by car to Carmelo.

Founded in 1816 by Uruguayan national hero Jose Gervasio Artigas, Carmelo houses a population of under 20,000, though plenty more come here to enjoy holidays on the banks of the Arroyo de las Vacas River.

Explore Carmelo's surroundings by going to Balneario Concordia (in Dolores), Playa de la Agraciada (in Nueva Palmira) and Conchillas (Casa Evans & Fripp Vinedos Y Bodega). The adventure continues: learn about winemaking at Bodega Boutique El Legado, pause for some serene contemplation at Capilla y Museo del Carmen, get a taste of the local shopping with Museo de Madera - Escultor Jose Castro, and delve into the distant past at Calera de las huerfanas.

For ratings, photos, and other tourist information, refer to the Carmelo road trip planner.

Getting from Fray Bentos to Carmelo by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. Traveling from Fray Bentos in January, you will find days in Carmelo are slightly colder (83°F), and nights are about the same (68°F). Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sat) so you can drive to Colonia del Sacramento.

Sleepy cobbled streets lined with pastel-colored houses lead down to the water in Colonia del Sacramento.

Go for a jaunt from Colonia del Sacramento to Nueva Helvecia to see Molino Quemado about 58 minutes away. The adventure continues: get to know the fascinating history of Barrio Historico, get engrossed in the history at Museo Portugues, take in the views from Puerta de la Ciudadela, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa Fomento.

To find photos, maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Colonia del Sacramento trip planner.

Traveling by car from Carmelo to Colonia del Sacramento takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In January, plan for daily highs up to 83°F, and evening lows to 68°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Sat) to allow time to drive to Montevideo.

With a rich cultural scene and plenty of developed beaches, Montevideo vacations appeal to a growing number of visitors from around the world.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Montevideo: Canelones (Pizzorno Family Estates & Establecimiento Juanico). Next up on the itinerary: make a trip to Plaza Independencia, browse the eclectic array of goods at Mercado del Puerto, take in the pleasant sights at Rambla de Montevideo, and wander the streets of Pocitos.

For ratings, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Montevideo trip itinerary builder app.

You can drive from Colonia del Sacramento to Montevideo in 2.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. In January, plan for daily highs up to 82°F, and evening lows to 64°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 31st (Tue) early enough to catch the flight back home.