22-day roundtrip Argentina & Uruguay: city, beach and countryside

22 days – from €10,245 per person

coast – city – local life – driving

Day 3 | Buenos Aires

Today, you’ll be taken on a special trip of some of the key sights in Argentina’s fascinating capital. You’ll set off by bike with your guide to explore the Recoleta and Palermo neighbourhoods. In the stylish Recoleta neighbourhood, you’ll find the famous Cementerio de Recoleta cemetery, home to the grave of Evita Perón, amongst others. In the Palermo district, you’ll find the Bosques de Palermo, a green oasis in the city covering some 400 hectares, where people of all ages enjoy themselves (particularly at the weekend). The trendy Palermo district is also known as Palermo Soho, named after the famous Soho district in New York, USA. Here you’ll find a selection of charming boutique hotels in historic, characterful buildings, often featuring a modern interior combined with classic elements.
Accommodation: Legado Mitico | bed and breakfast

Day 4 | Buenos Aires

On this day, you will head to the Tigre Delta with your guide. Covering 8,699 km², the Tigre Delta is one of the world’s largest deltas. Another unique feature of the Tigre Delta is that it is one of the few in the world that does not flow into a sea or ocean. The Tigre Delta flows into a river, the Río de la Plata. This river separates Argentina from Uruguay. The Tigre Delta, with its islands and canals, gives us a good idea of what Venice might have looked like before construction and infrastructure development began there. The Tigre Delta is named after the jaguars – which were called ‘tigers’ – that lived here until around 1800. During this period, the islands became important for the cultivation of reeds and fruit. The British built a railway to transport agricultural produce to market. Furthermore, following the yellow fever epidemic in Buenos Aires in 1877, Tigre came to be regarded as a healthy retreat. Enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings and the stunning waterways of the Tigre Delta! If you wish, you can also go kayaking here. Everything looks different from the water, and you feel more at one with nature. As well as walks along the river, or perhaps something a little more active, you will of course visit the magnificent Belle Époque Museo de Arte de Tigre with your guide. You’ll also find beautiful villas along the river, lovely Victorian jetties, remarkable gardens and various authentic rowing clubs with a unique history. If time permits, you can visit Sebastian Paez Vilaro’s studio (by appointment!). He is the son of the renowned Uruguayan artist Paez Vilaro. Sebastian chose Tigre as the place to work on his bronze and copper sculptures. On the way back to Buenos Aires, you’ll stop off in San Isidro, time permitting. San Isidro is a charming suburb some 22 km north of Buenos Aires. It is a town where the region’s wealthy have clearly lived and continue to live. Here you’ll find beautiful cobbled streets lined with stately villas. The presidential palace, Quinta de Olivos, is also located in San Isidro. ‘Plaza Mitre’ is the historic centre of San Isidro, and a magnificent neo-Gothic cathedral stands on this square. At the weekend, the square is pleasantly bustling and there is a market.
Accommodation: Legado Mitico | bed and breakfast

Day 5 | Buenos Aires

In the evening, you’ll be taken to the Rojo Tango at the Faena Hotel. This tango show is renowned worldwide as one of the best in Buenos Aires and has won several awards. Whilst enjoying a delicious dinner, you’ll be treated to performances by the finest tango dancers. Afterwards, you’ll be taken back to your hotel.
Overnight stay: Legado Mitico | bed and breakfast

Day 6 | Buenos Aires – Colonia del Sacramento

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the port of Buenos Aires, where you’ll board your ferry to Colonia. Once you arrive, you’ll be met by a local representative and collect your rental car, which will take you to your hotel in 10 minutes. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish. Colonia del Sacramento, or Colonia for short, is a melting pot of typical 17th-century Portuguese and Spanish low-rise architecture. Stroll through the narrow streets and feel as though you’ve stepped back in time.
Overnight stay: Charco Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 7 | Colonia del Sacramento

Today you’ll explore the town of Colonia with a guide. Discover Colonia del Sacramento, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded by the Portuguese and contested for many years by the crowns of both Spain and Portugal, Colonia’s magical history remains intact. Enjoy a delightful ‘cart ride’ from Colonia’s old town to the ‘Real de San Carlos’ arena. Explore the narrow cobbled streets, the historic buildings, the fort, the harbour, the Spanish and Portuguese houses, the city centre and the Rambla, which borders the historic centre. Sample ‘mate’, a traditional Uruguayan drink, and learn more about Uruguayan culture. Discover the tradition behind this ritual during a private tasting of mate and traditional local pastries. A “passionate local” will reveal the secrets behind mate and teach you how to prepare it!
Accommodation: Charco Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 8 | Colonia del Sacramento – Las Cañas

(approx. 341 km | 5-hour drive)
In the morning, you’ll collect your rental car and set off for your next destination: Las Cañas, situated in the heart of Uruguay amongst rolling hills. You’ll be staying at a beautiful estancia where you’ll experience authentic, local country life and enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside. The estancia is surrounded by vast fields and combines traditional charm with modern facilities.
Overnight stay: Estancia La Soleada | full board (drinks at your own expense)

Day 9 | Las Cañas

A day to spend as you wish. You can explore the surrounding area in your rental car or set off on a lovely walk in the countryside. Or simply let the day drift by in peace and quiet at your Estancia.
Accommodation: Estancia La Soleada | full board (drinks at your own expense)

Day 10 | Las Cañas – La Pedrera

(approx. 130 km | 2.5-hour drive)
Today you’ll drive on to La Pedrera, your next destination on this trip of Uruguay. You’ll be staying in lovely accommodation near the beach for the next few nights. La Pedrera is a small coastal village and the perfect place to relax. From the rocky cliffs, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the ocean, with a long stretch of beach on either side of the cliff.
Accommodation: Brisas de la Pedrera Boutique Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 11 | La Pedrera

Free day. Enjoy a day at the beach or go for a round of golf at one of the nearby golf resorts, for example.
Accommodation: Brisas de la Pedrera Boutique Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 12 | La Pedrera

In the morning, you’ll drive your rental car towards the entrance to Cabo Polonio. Your guide will be waiting for you here to take you to this unique little village. Cabo Polonio is a charming fishing village that can only be reached on foot, on horseback or by special four-wheel-drive vehicle. Here, in Uruguay’s largest biosphere reserve, a few families still live without electricity. With endless white sandy beaches, the world’s largest colony of sea lions, colourful little houses and the lighthouse as a landmark, this is a unique place to visit. Your guide will take you on a walk to the impressive sand dunes, from where you’ll have a fantastic view of the ocean. You can enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the small restaurants. Visit the lighthouse keepers’ house, say hello to the sea lions and take a 4x4 ride through the dunes, which will bring you back to the entrance to the village. From here, you’ll drive back to your hotel at your own pace.
Overnight stay: Brisas de la Pedrera Boutique Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 13 | La Pedrera – Jose Ignacio

(approx. 110 km | 2.5-hour drive)
Today you’ll drive on from La Pedrera, Rocha, to José Ignacio. Along the way, around the coastal area of Rocha, there are several freshwater lagoons, one of which is Laguna de Castillos. Thousands of migratory birds, such as swans and flamingos, stop off here. For birdwatchers, this is one of the best spots in Uruguay: over 200 different bird species have been recorded in this area!
José Ignacio owes its name to the settler of the same name who lived there during the Spanish colonial period. José Ignacio is a laid-back seaside resort with a bohemian atmosphere. In José Ignacio, you’ll find what’s known as ‘barefoot luxury’, far from the city. The locals in José Ignacio stay up late, enjoy themselves with family and friends on the beach and are very friendly. Thanks to this personal touch, you’ll soon feel at home here. In this region, enjoyment is written in capital letters!
Accommodation: Bahia Vik | bed and breakfast

Days 14 & 15 | José Ignacio

These days are free to spend as you wish. A great opportunity to relax and enjoy your surroundings. There are endless activities here: from surfing, swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, tennis, golf, horse riding, cycling, kitesurfing, kayaking, canoeing or visiting the observatory to simply lounging with a book by one of the swimming pools or on the beach. From José Ignacio, you can also visit Punta del Este. On one of the town’s beautiful beaches stands the 1982 artwork ‘Mano de Punta del Este’ (the hand/fingers) by the Chilean artist Mario Irarrázabal. He created this artwork as a warning to swimmers, and it has now become an integral part of the town’s skyline. Fancy a taste of the real jet-set lifestyle? Excellent restaurants and bustling terraces make this place a hive of activity in the summer. Another must-do is a visit to the small town of La Coronilla, situated just north of José Ignacio. This town is home to the Karumbé NGO, which is dedicated to the conservation of green turtles in Uruguay. Here, you can take a walk towards the beautiful Cerro Verde. From this spot, you’ll have a stunning view of the Coronilla Islands.
Accommodation: Bahia Vik | bed and breakfast

Day 16 | Jose Ignacio – Montevideo

(approx. 170 km | 3.5-hour drive)
Today you’ll drive on to Montevideo, where you’ll return your rental car on arrival. Montevideo lies just a little further south than Buenos Aires, making it the southernmost capital city on the American continent. The city lies on a bay – a naturally formed harbour – and on the main road route from Buenos Aires to Porto Alegre in Brazil. The standard of living in the city is high. Montevideo has the highest standard of living in Latin America. Uruguay’s capital is also ranked amongst the 30 safest cities in the world, and on the same list, Montevideo is the second-safest capital city in the world. The city exudes the same atmosphere as its larger neighbour, Buenos Aires, but is quieter and smaller. Stroll through the streets of the historic centre or take a walk along the promenade. Don’t miss a visit to the Mercado del Puerto!
Accommodation: Hotel Alma Histórica Boutique | bed and breakfast

Day 17 | Montevideo – Buenos Aires – Mar del Plata

You will be collected early today and taken to the harbour, where you will board your ferry to Buenos Aires. Once you arrive, you will be met by a local representative and taken to your hotel in Mar del Plata. The coastal town of Mar del Plata lies about 400 km south of Buenos Aires and is a popular beach destination for Argentinians thanks to its beaches on the Atlantic Ocean.
Overnight stay: Hotel Sainte Jeanne | bed and breakfast

Days 18 & 19 | Mar del Plata

Free days in Mar del Plata. Spend these days enjoying the sun and the beach, and take a stroll along the promenade with views of the beaches and the sea. As well as the beach, you can visit one of Mar del Plata’s museums; the Museo del Mar boasts an extensive collection of seashells and exhibitions on the region’s maritime heritage. The Museo de Ciencias Naturales Lorenzo Scaglia is a natural history museum where you can learn all about palaeontology, geology and the region’s biodiversity. In the evening, you can explore the city’s vibrant evening and nightlife and enjoy the local cuisine.
Accommodation: Hotel Sainte Jeanne | bed and breakfast

Day 20 | Mar del Plata – Buenos Aires

Today you’ll be taken back to Buenos Aires. The rest of the day is free to explore Buenos Aires further. For example, why not visit the colourful neighbourhood of La Boca (accompanied by a guide)?
Accommodation: Legado Mitico | bed and breakfast

Day 21 | Buenos Aires – Amsterdam

You will be collected from your hotel today and taken to the international airport for your return flight to the Netherlands.

Day 22 | Amsterdam

You arrive in Amsterdam today.