This Winter, Head to Uruguay for A Budget-Friendly Summer Vacation

Uruguay has long been a favorite overlooked destination spot of mine. As the winter season returns, I get a greater urgency to escape to one of the southern-most points of South America for sunny weather, an extensive coast line, and even better: where the U.S. dollar is strong. Though widely visited by vacationing (read: wealthy) Latin Americans, Uruguay is also welcoming to budget travelers. Many backpackers think of Uruguay as a stop-over from Buenos Aires or Patagonia, but in fact, it's worth sticking around for a longer trip.

Here’s how to maximize your winter visit:

3 Affordable Uruguay Vacation Tips

Book flights through Buenos Aires

I booked my ticket via LAN Airlines after months of stalking travel alerts for around $1,000 USD which is under the market average for a roundtrip flight in and out of Buenos Aires. From there, getting to Uruguay is easy - book a ferry via Colonia Express from Buenos Aires to Colonia ($30+ USD) or Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay ($80+ USD). 

Opt for lodging through AirBnB

Stay with locals who offer up a private room or home for an affordable price. I booked several weeks worth of AirBnB rooms in Buenos Aires, Montevideo, and Punta del Este (along coastal Uruguay) for a little over $600 USD, an average of $30+ USD per night. I loved every place I stayed at, I made friends with all my hosts, and each room was fully furnished. 

Order from 'el menu ejuctivo'

Similar to their European counterparts, both Argentina and Uruguay offer special discounted menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that offer equally delicious meals. Breakfast specials range from $75 Argentine or Uruguay pesos ($2 - $8 USD), while lunch can run $300 Argentine or Uruguayan pesos ($11 USD), and dinner can cost upwards of $800 Argentine or Uruguayan pesos ($30 USD).