Quick Facts

• They have great wool; Maya recommends buying a throw if you have space in your luggage.
• Dinner time is usually late (around 8PM).
• Tap water is safe to drink in both Montevideo and José Ignacio.
• If you’ll be dining out, note that typical service is 10% and normally is not included.
• Most places accept credit cards, so no need to take out cash unless you’re shopping at a local market or need to tip the gas attendants.

Recommendations

• Jose Ignacio
• Montevideo
• Colonia
• Buenos Aires
• Other Spots

• Read up on our wedding venue here.
• Check out Paula Martini for chic and sophisticated clothing, featuring elegant, modern, and timeless pieces that highlight local high-quality materials.
• If you’re looking for a traditional meal ‘a la parrilla’, try Marismo
• Take a scenic 30-min drive to the town of Garzón, renowned location of the restaurant Garzón owned by famed Argentinian chef, Francis Mallmann. Don’t forget to make a reservation in advance! 
• Uruguay's annual Carnaval celebration is worth a detour. In José Ignacio, it will take place the weekend of March 1. According to ChatGPT, it’s “a vibrant, month-long event filled with parades, music, dance, and theatrical performances. It features "Desfile de Llamadas," a parade celebrating Afro-Uruguayan culture, and "tablados," outdoor stages for comedic and musical acts. Known for its unique blend of African, Spanish, and indigenous influences, Uruguay's Carnaval is the longest in the world, showcasing candombe rhythms, colorful costumes, and elaborate floats, making it a deeply cultural and festive experience.” (this summary was approved by Santiago).
• You must try Maya’s all-time favorite cheeseburger at Rudy Burgers (there are 3 locations, all in Montevideo).
• Bodega Bouza is worth a visit, a winery 30 min outside of the city.
• If you’re looking for a traditional meal 'a la parrilla', try Manzanar or La Otra-Parrilla.
• Check out Mercado del Puerto in the old part of town “Ciudad Vieja” for cute souvenirs and food.
• The restaurant at the Sofitel Hotel called '1921' is worth a detour
• Read about why the river separating Uruguay and Argentina 'Río de la Plata' is brown.
• If you’re planning to spend time in Montevideo, we recommend exploring the following areas during the day: Ciudad Vieja, Centro, Parque Prado, Parque Rodó, Pocitos.
• If you’re interested in exploring the city’s nightlife, check out Cordón.
• As a rule of thumb, we advise staying on the water to the south. We recommend finding accommodations in the following zones: Punta Carretas, Pocitos, Buceo, Malvín, Carrasco.
• Recommended stay: 2-3 days.
• This is a charming little town and popular place to visit.
• From Montevideo, you can reach Colonia by bus or car (2.5 hour drive). 
• Recommended stay: day trip.
• Since you’ve made the 6500 mi trip down south, you may as well take a side trip to visit Uruguay’s more flashy “big brother”, Argentina.
• From Montevideo, you can take a 2.5hr ferry. From Colonia, you can take a 1.5 hr ferry. Book your tickets here.
• Maya highly recommends Monte Arte Etnico Argentino, an artisan shop that sells handmade Argentinian decor like rugs, furniture, and wooden wall hangings (shout out to Raqui and Chris on this amazing find!).
• The surrounding area (Villa Crespo) is full of nice restaurants and artisan shops.
• La Boca zone is certainly worth a detour (during the day!).
• These areas are also nice to visit: Belgrano, Recoleta, Palermo, San Telmo.
• Recommended stay: 3 days minimum.
• If you’re driving from Montevideo to José Ignacio, there are a few quick stops you may want to make: Piriápolis, Punta del Este, Punta Ballena are all along the coast and each have their own charm.
• Punta del Este is what Maya likes to call “the Miami of Uruguay” (Santiago says it’s akin to Cancún, but you get the point) – it’s known for its busy nightlife, nice beaches, resorts, and good food.
• If you do end up in Punta del Este, we like the French restaurant La Bourgogne.
• Recommended stay: day trip.