Buenos Aires, Iguazu & Uruguay

Connect the city of tango, Iguazu Falls, Colonia, and the coastal wineries of Uruguay.

This itinerary combines Argentina's two most popular stops with the main route of Uruguay. First, fly to Iguazu to see the falls, cross the river on the same day you return to Buenos Aires, then head east to stay in José Ignacio for three nights, using it as a base to visit Cabo Polonio and Garzón. The itinerary covers a wide span with tight flight and ferry connections, so hiring a driver for the latter half will make it easier. Ideal for first-time visitors who want to see cities, waterfalls, and the coast all in one trip.

Avoid the coastal peak season in January; February in Iguazu is hot and humid.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrive in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires（Obelisco de Buenos Aires）

Take a taxi or transfer from Ezeiza Airport to Recoleta, taking about 1 hour. Spend the evening exploring nearby or watching a tango show.

Stay: Recoleta

Day 2 · Presidential Palace to La Boca Historic District

Buenos Aires（Plaza de Mayo / Casa Rosada、San Telmo Market / Feria de San Telmo、La Boca / Caminito、Recoleta Cemetery）

Spend the day exploring the southern historic districts by subway, taxi, or guided tour, returning to Recoleta in the evening.

The San Telmo Sunday Market is the liveliest; try to schedule this day on a Sunday.

Stay: Recoleta

Day 3 · Palermo and Bookstore Free Day

Buenos Aires（El Ateneo Grand Splendid、Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires、Palermo）

Mainly walking and short taxi rides. Spend the morning around Recoleta and the afternoon in Palermo; the distances are short.

Stay: Recoleta

Day 4 · Fly to Puerto Iguazú

Iguazu Falls（Triple Frontier Landmark (Marco das Três Fronteiras)）

Fly from Buenos Aires to Iguazu in the morning, taking about 2 hours. Take a taxi to the Three Borders Landmark in the afternoon to watch the sunset.

Stay: Puerto Iguazú

Day 5 · Full Day at the Argentine Side of the Falls

Iguazu Falls（Devil's Throat (Garganta del Diablo)、Upper Circuit / Lower Circuit、Gran Aventura Boat Ride）

Take a taxi to the national park, taking about 30 minutes. Ride the ecological train and walk the trails inside the park, and take a speedboat into the canyon in the afternoon.

Enter the park early to visit the Devil's Throat first. Bring waterproof bags for the speedboat ride.

Stay: Puerto Iguazú

Day 6 · Fly Back, then Cross the River to Colonia

Buenos Aires → Colonia del Sacramento（Portón de Campo）

Take an early flight back to Buenos Aires, then transfer to the port to take a ferry to Colonia, taking about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Leave plenty of buffer time between the flight and the ferry, as this is the day most prone to delays.

Stay: Historic Quarter

Day 7 · Slow Exploration of Colonia's Old Town

Colonia del Sacramento（Barrio Histórico、Calle de los Suspiros、Lighthouse & Convent of San Francisco Ruins、Plaza de Toros Real de San Carlos）

The old town is small and can be explored entirely on foot. In the afternoon, you can take a taxi or ride a bicycle to San Carlos, about a 15-minute ride.

Stay: Historic Quarter

Day 8 · Cheese Town to Montevideo

Colonia del Sacramento（Nueva Helvecia） → Montevideo（La Rambla & Pocitos Beach）

Drive east by hired car or self-drive, stopping at Nueva Helvecia for lunch, taking about 2.5 hours in total to reach Montevideo.

Stay: Pocitos

Day 9 · A Day in Montevideo

Montevideo（Plaza Independencia、Palacio Salvo、Ciudad Vieja、Mercado del Puerto、Solís Theatre）

Take a taxi to Plaza Independencia and walk through the Old Town. Have lunch at the Port Market, visit the theater in the afternoon, and take a taxi back to your accommodation.

Guided tours of the Solís Theatre are usually not available on Mondays and Tuesdays; check the official website.

Stay: Pocitos

Day 10 · Via Punta del Este to the Fishing Village

Punta del Este（La Mano (Los Dedos)、Puerto de Punta del Este）

Drive east along the coast for about 2 hours to Punta del Este, then continue for about 40 minutes to José Ignacio in the afternoon.

Stay: José Ignacio

Day 11 · Dune Hike to Cabo Polonio

Cabo Polonio（Barra de Valizas、Cabo Polonio Dunes & 4x4 Truck Ride、Cabo Polonio Lighthouse、Sea Lion Colony (Lobería)）

Wake up early and drive to Valizas, then hike across the dunes for about 3 hours to the village. Take a truck out of the dunes in the afternoon and return.

There is no shade on the dunes, so bring water and sunscreen. In case of bad weather, take the truck both ways.

Stay: José Ignacio

Day 12 · Wine Tasting and Lunch at Bodega Garzón

Punta del Este（Bodega Garzón、José Ignacio）

Drive inland from José Ignacio for about 45 minutes to Garzón, and return to the seaside fishing village in the afternoon.

Bodega Garzón is typically open Wednesday to Sunday; someone must drive after wine tasting.

Stay: José Ignacio

Day 13 · Head West to Carrasco Airport

Montevideo（Carrasco & Hotel Carrasco）

Drive west along the coastal highway from José Ignacio for about 2 hours to Carrasco Airport in the morning for your return flight.

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