6 Must-Do Things in Uruguay

While a Peace Corps volunteer I had to opportunity to spend my first Christmas and New Years abroad traveling to Uruguay with some of my best volunteer friends. We chose Uruguay for a couple reasons. First ... the beach! Having lived in a land-locked country (Paraguay) for close to a year by then, we wanted to spend our time soaking up the sun and sand. Secondly, Uruguay doesn't require a visa or reciprocity fee for United States citizens like some of its other neighbors, Brazil and Argentina. It was an amazing trip. Uruguay is a small, laid back country but it packs a punch. It can be a little on the expensive side, but I can't wait to go back there and explore more of this charming country.

6 Things To Do in Uruguay

Wander along the Rambla in Montevideo. The capital of Uruguay, Montevideo is home to over a third of the country's population and on any given day a majority of them can be seen strolling along La Rambla. A boardwalk that spans the entirety of the Montevideo coastline, La Rambla is an essential part of the city's identity. Spend your time soaking in the views of the beach and the city skyline at the same time and experiencing life as the locals do.

Eat a Chivito. The national dish of Uruguay, its significance is up there with the Cheesesteak for Philidelphia and Deep Dish Pizza for Chicago. A meat-lovers heaven, the sandwich has thinly sliced beef, ham, bacon, mozzarella, lettuce, tomato and topped off with a fried egg. Honestly, the deliciousness of this sandwich cannot be described in words, it's one you just need to try.

Party Until Dawn in Punta del Este. If Uruguay is like the laid-back family of South America then Punta del Este is the crazy, wild, party-girl daughter that can get a little out of control sometimes but we all love. Punta del Este is modern, stylish and extravagant. A party is never far away when you are here and has many clubs and bars to choose from. A getaway for the rich and famous, if Punta del Este is good enough for Shakira it is definitely good enough for me.

Share Mate With a Local. If the Chivito is the national dish of Uruguay then mate is definitely the national beverage. It is a tea infusion of the yerba mate plant served with hot water. Like tereré of Paraguay, mate is not just a drink it is a social event. You will usually see locals sitting in groups drinking mate and talking about the issues of the day.

Embrace the Weird in Cabo Polonio. One of my favorite stops on my journey, Cabo Polonio is a small town located in a national park in the Rocha department only accessible by 4x4 vehicles. All of its electricity and running water, which there is little of, comes from wind and solar power. A bohemian hideaway, the town is full of hippies, drum circles and people partaking in a little recreational and legal marijuana. If that is not your style I still recommend taking a day trip to visit the adorable town and breath-taking beach and sand dunes.

Soak Up the Sun in Punta Del Diablo. This small fishing village is a great hangout for young travelers and families alike. While you can definitely party the night away here as well, relaxing on the beautiful beaches and experiencing the laid back restaurants and shops in town are another great way to spend your time. My time here included renting a house for Christmas and was one of the best parts of the whole trip.

Have you ever been to Uruguay? What were your favorite things to do there?