Sara and John say...

With mild winters and hot summers, Uruguay’s climate can be likened to that of the Mediterranean. Extremes are rare, and there’s a healthy mixture of rain and shine through the year.
Spring arrives in October, with temperatures on the rise as we end the year.
The best time to travel to Uruguay - particularly to its coastal areas - is during its summer months. January-February is the warmest and driest time of the year to visit. Summer thunderstorms do occur, but they tend to be short and sharp, allowing plenty of sunshine on most days. So go horse-riding and wine-tasting against a backdrop of blue skies. Occasional heatwaves can lift temperatures to near 40 Celsius inland, but the coast is often bathed by a refreshing sea breeze.
Although the country enters autumn through April and May, the sea around Uruguay is generally at its warmest, making this a good time to visit the beaches and go snorkelling offshore.
The winter months of June-September are quieter but don't necessarily make bad times to travel, particularly if the focus of a trip is more cultural. Daytime temperatures lower into the teens, and occasional cold Pampero outbreaks from the south can bring a touch of frost to rural areas. But visiting Montevideo and some of the small surrounding towns can be more enjoyable experiences at this time of year than during the hot days of summer; and this is also the best time to go whale-watching off the coast.

So enjoy Uruguay. Sunscreen will outshine the waterproofs but take both with you - each may come in handy!

Quick facts about

Uruguay