Travel to Uruguay

You can fly into two destinations in Uruguay, Montevideo and Punta del Este. Iberia flies into both destinations but you can also get flights to Montevideo with carriers such as American Airlines, Condor and Aéras. You can't get direct flights to Uruguay so you may prefer to have a quick stop over in a European city on route to break up the travelling time.

There are regular bus services running from both Montevideo Carrasco International airport and Punta del Este airport to the cities centres. If you are arriving into Montevideo, you can also pick up a taxi to take you into town.

Generally the cheapest and easiest way to travel around Uruguay is by bus. The country offers regular bus services which include trips over the border into neighbouring Argentina. It is also quite common to hitchhike around the country, but proceed with caution, crime is relatively low in Uruguay but the roads can be treacherous so you might feel a lot safer in a sturdier, larger vehicle such as a bus.

You won't have any problem finding cheap hotels in Uruguay unless you are planning on staying at the expensive beach resort in Punta del Este. If your Spanish is more than a little rusty, you should really consider booking any hotels in Uruguay before you arrive to ensure there is no confusion.

For cheap eats you should check out one of the many markets. If you are in Montevideo it is worth visiting Mercado del Puerto, it is a huge market where you can pick up tasty treats for little cost. Uruguayans are as big a meat lovers as their Argentinian neighbours and you'll be able to pick up a very large steak for a fraction of the cost of it back at home. Meat filled pastries called empanadas are a filling and cheap snack which are also readily available to pick up everywhere you go.

Avoid travelling between June to September, Uruguay's winter. The temperature can dip well below freezing. If you are looking for a really cheap deal avoid the touristy summer months and plan a trip in April or May.