Why visit
Uruguay is a destination in South America with coastlines and warm-water travel at its core. Plan around season, swim conditions, and regional island or coastal routes.
Country · South America
Uruguay
beachfoodculture
At a glance
Location
-33.0°, -56.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
181,034 km²
69,898 mi²
Country population
3.4 million
19/km²
Subregion
South America
Currency
Uruguayan peso ($)
UYU
Dial
+598
Language
Spanish
Demonym
Uruguayan
Internet
.uy
UN
Member state
ISO code
UY / URY
Where in the world
-33.0° · -56.0°
Uruguay
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Did you know
- Uruguay was the first country to legalize marijuana nationwide (2013) and has one of the world's most liberal abortion laws.
- Uruguayans drink more mate (yerba mate infusion) per capita than anywhere else: about 8 kg per person per year.
- Uruguay hosted and won the first FIFA World Cup in 1930.
Bordering Uruguay
Plan checks
- Start research with the capital Montevideo, then compare two or three other regions.
- Check passport validity, visa rules, health requirements, and travel insurance for current conditions.
- Verify swim safety, ocean conditions, and water-quality reports by month.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Uruguay
What is the capital of Uruguay?
Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay.
What currency does Uruguay use?
Uruguay uses the Uruguayan peso ($), ISO code UYU.
What languages are spoken in Uruguay?
The primary language is Spanish.
Is Uruguay landlocked?
No, Uruguay has a coastline.
What countries border Uruguay?
Uruguay borders Argentina, Brazil.
What is the international calling code for Uruguay?
The calling code is +598.
Other South America destinations
El Chaltén
El Chaltén is Argentina's trekking capital. Laguna de los Tres and Mount Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, glacier hikes, and quiet hostels between Andes granite.
Valparaiso
Valparaíso is a UNESCO-listed port city on 42 hills. Pablo Neruda's La Sebastiana house, ascensor funiculars, street art on every wall, and a poetic, chaotic energy.
San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro is the Atacama Desert's base. Valle de la Luna, El Tatio geysers at dawn, the world's clearest skies for stargazing, and Bolivian salt-flat crossings nearby.
Galapagos Islands
The Galápagos are the evolutionary laboratory. Giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, hammerhead sharks. Visitable by cruise or by island-hopping from Santa Cruz.
Medellin
Medellín is Colombia's comeback story. Metrocable to Comuna 13's street art, Parque Explora, Botero Plaza, and year-round spring climate earned it the nickname City of Eternal Spring.
Argentina
Argentina is Buenos Aires tango nights, Mendoza wine country, Patagonia (Perito Moreno, El Chaltén, Ushuaia), Iguazu's other side, and some of the world's best beef.