Uruguay Activities: Whales, Dunes and Wine
Whales you can watch for free
Uruguay’s best wildlife show needs no ticket. Southern right whales travel along the Atlantic coast from roughly July to October, with the peak in August and September and sightings tailing off by early October. They are often spotted from headlands and lighthouses at Punta del Este, José Ignacio, La Paloma, La Pedrera, Santa Teresa and Cabo Polonio. Nothing is guaranteed, so bring binoculars, a windproof jacket and patience. If you would rather be on the water, licensed boat outings run from some coastal towns, and you can compare whale-watching trips on GetYourGuide before you travel.
Dunes and sea lions at Cabo Polonio
Cabo Polonio has no road in. Private cars and ordinary buses stop at the terminal on Ruta 10, km 264.5, and visitors ride open-air 4x4 trucks across the dunes for about 20 to 30 minutes. The round trip costs UYU 470 (children under 5 free, a surfboard UYU 100), and terminal parking is UYU 350 a day. Trucks run roughly hourly between early morning and evening, and the official Rocha tourism page lists the entry and exit times. Tents and pets are not allowed, the village has no mains electricity, and a sea lion colony sits below the 1881 lighthouse.
Fortress and forest at Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa National Park is free and open Tuesday to Sunday, 08:00 to 18:00, with its gate on Ruta 9 at km 302. The stone fortress begun by the Portuguese in 1762 charges UYU 50, and children under 12 go in free. Pair it with a long beach walk, or look for horseback rides along the coast.
Wine country near Montevideo
Canelones is the working wine region about 45 minutes north of the capital. Bodega Bouza and Establecimiento Juanicó are separate wineries, each with its own tours and tastings, and tours start from roughly US$40 at Juanicó and US$50 at Bouza, so ask what is included. Pizzorno and Varela Zarranz are other family bodegas in the area. Tannat is the grape to try.
Money, tax and seasons
A bare “$” on a menu means pesos, and the rate is about 40 UYU to US$1. Restaurants cut VAT by 9 points, from 22% to about 13%, when you pay by card, and the reduction runs until April 2027. Hotels charge 0% VAT to non-residents who show foreign ID. A full exemption for foreign cards has been announced for this summer, so ask your restaurant whether it applies, or read the tourism ministry’s page for non-residents .
Summer runs December to February and the coast fills up, so book rooms and Cabo Polonio lodging early. In winter, many beach restaurants and inns in Rocha and Maldonado close. Winter suits Montevideo and the wineries, and big-city caution is enough anywhere: watch for petty theft and use ATMs in daylight.
Verdict
For a first trip, pick the coast: whales in season, the Cabo Polonio dunes and Santa Teresa give you more than any single city. Plan the order with the multi-day trips page , and carry pesos in cash for the truck terminal and village shops.