The country is small and many main attractions are close together. You won't be driving for more than 3 hours at a time which makes it doable to take a beautiful road trip with the kids. Driving in Uruguay is easy and safe. Main roads are well maintained and GPS can take you pretty much anywhere you want to go. Even without GPS, main roads are well indicated and easy to navigate. However, do keep in mind that driving during daylight hours is best. Especially when exploring the countryside as many roads are not lit, making them harder to find or navigate once it's dark out.

Uruguay's main roads (or what we would consider highways here in the U.S.) are pretty empty. No traffic to worry about, just beware of gauchos on horseback and the occasional animal crossing. Also, don't expect to see many traffic lights along your ride. Especially true when traveling the countryside or exploring places outside of Montevideo. Not to worry though, most Uruguayan drivers are extremely polite and patient (no-one's in a hurry), stopping to give you the right of way and even raising a hand to give you a friendly greeting as you roll by.

Uruguay consists of 19 departments (the equivalent to U.S. states) and during our month long trip to Uruguay we drove through many of them as we visited top destinations and off the beaten path ones too. We traveled a bit over an hour from Montevideo to the country's interior and the department of Florida where we enjoyed an unforgettable week-long stay on a sheep and cattle ranch (known as an "estancia"). From Florida we drove to the city of Colonia del Sacramento and then to the sleepy beach town of La Paloma in Rocha. We also visited more popular beach towns like Punta del Este and Jose Ignacio. Road tripping Uruguay's Southern Coast was easy and so enjoyable!

4) Uruguay is a Foodie's Paradise

Love food? Look no further! From Uruaguayan "asado" (grilled meat) to traditional street foods, from award-winning cuisine to great food truck eats, add in savory desserts and pastries, Uruguay is a true foodie's paradise!

Chivito al pan -- delicious!

Shop local bakeries! They're everywhere you turn.

Flaky and fluffy, Uruguayan "medialunas" are to die for!

Go ahead! Indulge in the French-inspired baked breads, "medialunas" or croissants, and pastries known as "biscochos". Share a "milanesa a la napolitana" -- thin meat that is breaded and fried (can be steak, chicken, and even pork meat), topped with ham, mozzarella, tomato sauce, and tomato slices or enjoy it on bread as a sandwich. Eat a delicious chorizo sandwich known as "choripan" and don't leave Uruguay without trying the Chivito -- Uruguay's national dish which consists of thin sliced tender beef steak (churrasco), topped with lettuce, tomato, mayo, ham, mozzarella cheese, bacon, and a fried egg too, served over a huge serving of french fries, or in a sandwich with fries on the side. Either way it's delicious! 

Also, not to be missed is a trip to the steakhouses of the iconic Mercado del Puerto, an old port market in "Ciudad Vieja", or the old city part of town in Montevideo. Here you can enjoy an authentic "parillada", a meal of a variety of meats that are grilled or barbecued for a dinner big enough to feed an entire family.

For the adults in the family, there's also the wine. Did you know that Uruguay is the fourth-largest producer of wine in South America? Most known for red wines produced from local Tannat grapes.

5) Uruguay Has Something for Everyone

Whether a family vacation means relaxing and recharging by the ocean or filling your days with outdoor activities and sports or cultural and historical tours, Uruguay offers a great variety of experiences for families traveling with kids.  

We took in cultural experiences with visits to Casapueblo and el Museo del Carnaval. We even got to experience Uruguayan Carnival and went to see "el Desfile de Llamadas" (the Calls Parade), a spectacle unlike any other in the world where you can see and hear thousands of drums parading down the street. Did you know that Carnival in Uruguay is the longest celebration in the world, beginning in late January and lasting as long as 40 days, through the end of February?

Elaborate costumes on display at el Museo del Carnaval.

Casapueblo, home of Uruguayan artist Carlos Paez Vilaro, is also a hotel where no two rooms are the same and guests enjoy amazing ocean views.

Visiting the art gallery at Casapueblo and admiring the artwork of Uruguayan artist Carlos Paez Vilaro.

Breathtaking sunsets at Playa la Balconada in La Paloma, Rocha.

In conclusion, Uruguay is a travel destination not to be missed! Bucketlist worthy if you ask me and the kids! From gorgeous beaches to unique cultural experiences, beautiful landscapes to delicious foods, this often overlooked little country offers something for everyone. 

Go! Start planning your own Uruguay trip with kids.

As you begin planning your own trip to Uruguay, let me leave you with this great little travel video from my friend, Karen, over at the Guru-Guay website. She's an expert in all things Uruguay and her Guru'Guay Guide to Uruguay and Guide to Montevideo are great resources that can help you easily plan your trip. Each of Karen's guides is super informative and includes loads of first hand-knowledge that only a person living in this small South American nation can provide. She was a helpful resource for us when planning our own trip and I highly recommend you check her out!