Here on the rolling hills and grasslands of Uruguay´s hinterland, many estancias (cattle and sheep ranches) still stand, and dozens of them these days open their doors to visitors (and, by the way, are often a better deal than their Argentine counterparts).
You can just use them as you would a hotel, exploring towns and ecotourism in the region, or you can saddle up and do some riding yourself; there’s even, in some, the option to do chores (and not backbreaking work, fear not!) in exchange for bed and board.
Some are historic while others are modern, and amenities vary from comfortable but simple to more tourism-oriented, and a few nearly luxurious (with perks like swimming pools). And they’re scattered across the country, often 90 minutes’ to three hours’ drive from Montevideo. Several choice choices include Finca Piedra (which also includes a vineyard and winery!), Guardia del Monte (pictured here), Lagunas del Catedral, La Salamora, Estancia Tornero, and La Vigna (this last a somewhat artsy-flavored one which is also convenient to visiting one of South America’s loveliest colonial towns, the UNESCO World Heritage old quarter of Colonia del Sacramento).
Read more in my post Saddling Up on Uruguay Ranch Vacations.
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