Uruguay Is a Haven for Slow Travel — Here’s Why You Should Visit

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This less-traveled South American country has small crowds, excellent food and drink, and an inspired art scene.

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The Artigas Mausoleum in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay." src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/A4psuW6k1YCsbQ58QD1vJw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/travel.travelleisure.com/b224ac6b59e755921bd5c7a04cfeb266"/> Leonid Andronov/Getty Images

The Artigas Mausoleum in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay. South America is known for many attractions: Machu Picchu, the Galápagos Islands, Iguazú Falls, and Patagonia. And then there's Uruguay — often-looked, tucked between Argentina and Brazil. It may not have ancient ruins, world wonders, or scalable peaks — the type of things that commonly anchor a trip to this part of the world — but the country has plenty to uncover. In fact, the late Anthony Bourdain once described Uruguay as “easily one of the top underappreciated travel destinations on Earth.”

Travelers who journey to Uruguay are paid dividends in small luxurious moments, rich with connection to people and place. Below, find my reasons why Uruguay should be your next destination for a slow travel road trip.

It’s small and easily navigable. Uruguay is ideal for road tripping, thanks to its highly navigable roads that connect the capital to inland territories, adjacent cities, and plenty of beaches along the coast. I recommend taking the ferry from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento, in the west, and moving east in an almost linear sweep so that destinations are no more than a few hours' drive from one another.

Courtesy of Estancia Vik

Serene landscape of the Estancia VIK hotel, José Ignacio, Uruguay." src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/mJgUcpTXBbtfc2V6jvx8RA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MQ--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/travel.travelleisure.com/aeeaaa8baea6df5869c7ebe45dcf52de"/> Courtesy of Estancia Vik

Serene landscape of the Estancia VIK hotel, José Ignacio, Uruguay.There’s agritourism. The actual land of Uruguay cradles vineyards, working estancias (ranches), and rustic-luxe wine lodges, giving visitors plenty to see and do. In the southern town of Carmelo and the Maldonado region, you’ll find butchers, bakers, winemakers, and small-batch cheesemakers. I personally like to cycle the country roads and take hours-long picnics.

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The small village of Cabo Polonio." src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Bti1FBBmujQTeZYRL4zObw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MQ--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/travel.travelleisure.com/70865c9c60388216ed41d60bdfa2113a"/> Paulo Hoeper/Getty Images

The small village of Cabo Polonio.You’ll find few crowds. If you’re averse to waiting a long time for an experience, Uruguay is an overtourism antidote. Montevideo, the history-rich and palm tree-lined capital, is a serene escape for those seeking a coastal vacation. And Garzón, a rural village home to a budding art scene, only has one stoplight — and it’s satirically decorative. I also recommend heading to Cabo Polonio, a coastal hideaway best traveled by foot, as it can’t be reached by car.

The food and drink are excellent. In Uruguay, food and drink are an excuse to gather in good company. Weekends often see families united around flame-licked asado, or a barbecue. And most emblematic is sharing a hollowed-out gourd of yerba maté, an herbal tea woven in Uruguay’s social fabric. Maté is caffeinated and the herbs are steeped, but unlike regular tea, it’s consumed through a metal straw. The tradition is an espousal of values, holding space for connection and unhurried conversation. You can learn and experience the ritual of maté during a guided workshop.

Cristobal Palma, Courtesy of Estancia Vik

Outdoor pool of the Estancia VIK hotel, José Ignacio, Uruguay." src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/xIPMgaMy18kTLMCUQOWBOA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MQ--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/travel.travelleisure.com/2648bf3e09ae578c2cb2ea8bc1186aa5"/> Cristobal Palma, Courtesy of Estancia Vik

Outdoor pool of the Estancia VIK hotel, José Ignacio, Uruguay.The accommodations are inspired. In some cities, accommodations are just a place to shower and rest your head. In Uruguay, boutique hotels, family-owned estancias, and experiential lodges evoke a strong sense of place while imparting cultural connection. Here are my picks:

Ride across the low grasslands with a gaucho, or South American cowboy guide, at Estancia Vik.

Luz Culinary Wine Lodge, located in the fishing village of José Ignacio, sets the table for a gastronomic stay in a pine forest.

Sacromonte Landscape Hotel’s glassy refugio cabins camouflage into the hills of wine country, giving guests a stunning view.

The Charco Hotel boasts rustic-luxe 17th-century Portuguese architecture in UNESCO-designated Colonia.

The art scene is worth exploring. Uruguay is small, but the country punches above its weight when it comes to artists, poets, painters, sculptors, and creative mavericks of all stripes. The intimate art scene here invites travelers to workshops, private galleries, and ateliers. A few experiences I recommend include learning about candombe, a traditional folk dance, in a workshop hosted by a legendary percussionist, or diving into gaucho culture from an award-winning leather artist. The art culture truly epitomizes the idea that slow travel is as much about people as it is about the place.

Olivia Schellenberg is a member of Travel + Leisure's A-List and specializes in Uruguay trips. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Schellenberg by contacting her at olivia@extraordinaryjourneys.com.

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