Uruguay may be pint-sized, but it’s certainly big-hearted when it come to attractions. lt contains Montevideo, one of South America’s most interesting capitals; charming colonial towns like Colonia; the hilly interior (true gaucho country); and a internationally renowned beach resorts.

December and January, when the beautiful people flock to the beach and are a sight to behold

Exploring Montevide’s architectural diversity and multicultural character Scaling the battlements of the beautiful city of Colonia Sailing, fishing and basking at Punta del East on the Uruguayan Riviera Heading to the quiet interior towns of Tacuarembo, the country’s monument to the gaucho

Read Juan Carlos Onetti’s Tierra de Nadie (NoMan’s Land)

Listen to La Cumparsita, one of the best-known tangoes, composed by Uruguayan Gerardo Matos Rodriguez. Uruguayans consider Montevideo to be as much the birthplace of the tango as Buenos Aires.

Eat beef. Uruguayans are cow crazy, consuming more beef per capita than almost any other nation. The parrillada (beet platter) is atandard fare.

Drink mate, the brew of choice. Uruguay also produces some excellent wines.

Tranquilo (chilled out)

The Switzerland of South America; a buffer between rival regional powers; a haven for other country’s unwanted rogues; sizzling sun-worshipping humans at Punta del Este

Many shops and museums in Uruguay close when it rains; Montevideo’s late summer carnival includes dance troupes beating out spirited African-influenced rhythms on large drums

Football remains the most popular spectator and participant sport; The most notable teams are Montevideo based Nacional and Penarol. Lf you go to a match between these two, sit on the the sidelines, not behind the goal, where fans tend to get rowdy. The rowdiness can carry over onto the streets afterwards.