World Guide

Uruguay

Country · Americas, South America

Leonel Viera Bridge
Pictured: Leonel Viera Bridge · Photo: Axe, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Uruguay is a country in South America, bordered by Argentina and Brazil by land or sea. The capital is Montevideo, and the country has an area of 176,215 sq km and a population of about 3.4 million in 2025.

Highlights

The site covers 10 top sights, concentrated around the city of Montevideo. Notable architectural and cultural landmarks include Plaza Independencia, Palacio Salvo, the Solís Theatre, the Legislative Palace of Uruguay, the Executive Tower, the Telecommunications Tower, Residencia de Suárez, and Carrasco. Other sights include the Fortaleza del Cerro and the Leonel Viera Bridge.

Food and drink

Local dishes and items include Chivito, Dulce de leche, Pastafrola, Picada, Cabrito, Chajá, and Colonia cheese.

When to go

The climate data refers to the capital, Montevideo, with daily highs and lows. January and February are warm with daily highs of 24 °C and lows of 20 °C, accompanied by rain on 8 to 10 days. July is the coolest month with daily highs of 13 °C and lows of 9 °C, and rain on about 9 days. March and April see higher rainfall totals of 109 mm and 101 mm respectively.

Practical notes

The currency is the Uruguayan peso. The official language is Spanish. Driving is on the right side. The time zone is UTC−03:00. Plugs used are types C, F, I, and L, operating at a voltage of 230.0 V.

Cities

Food and drink to try in Uruguay

  • Dulce de leche
  • Chivito
  • Pastafrola
  • Picada
  • Cabrito
  • Chajá
  • Colonia cheese

Top sights in Uruguay

  1. Leonel Viera BridgeLeonel Viera BridgeMaldonado
  2. Palacio SalvoPalacio SalvoMontevideo
  3. Carrasco, MontevideoCarrasco, MontevideoMontevideo
  4. Residencia de SuárezResidencia de SuárezMontevideo
  5. Legislative Palace of UruguayLegislative Palace of UruguayMontevideo
  6. Telecommunications TowerTelecommunications TowerMontevideo
  7. Plaza IndependenciaPlaza IndependenciaMontevideo
  8. Solís TheatreSolís TheatreMontevideo
  9. Fortaleza del CerroFortaleza del CerroMontevideo
  10. Executive Tower, MontevideoExecutive Tower, MontevideoMontevideo

Weather by month

The warmest month is January, with an average high of 25 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C252423201714131415182023
Average low, °C20201916131091011131618
Rainfall, mm858910910191877978801039375
Rainy days10810967988978

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Montevideo (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

Also worth a look

Neighbouring countries and territories