Top Reasons to Go

Bask in colonial splendor: There's little that could be called old in this modern, progressive country—except for the once-walled 1680 Portuguese settlement of Colonia del Sacramento. Flowers spill over balconies, balladeers serenade their sweethearts, and lanterns illuminate the streets of this well-preserved colonial city.

Frolic with the rich and famous: One visit to Uruguay's tony Punta del Este, and Brazil's beaches will forever seem a tad too déclassé. From December through February, fun-in-the-sun crowds flock here.

Ride 'em, cowboy: The gaucho embodies the country's spirit, and these rugged cowboys still mount their trusty horses to round up livestock on vast ranges. If your time is limited, you don't even need to leave urban Montevideo to see the spectacle: the capital's El Prado district is the site of the best rodeos.