Uruguay

A departure from the mass tourism of neighboring Brazil and Argentina, Uruguay is a bit hush-hush—and therefore the perfect off-track destination for those hoping for a peek at traditional lifestyles, cuisine, and culture. South America’s smallest country boasts big rewards—be it the picturesque architecture of Colonia del Sacramento, deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, soaking in the hot springs of the Rio Uruguay, riding horseback with gauchos across the plains, or strolling among the locals as they shop the Mercado del Puerto on a weekend afternoon amidst artisans and buskers. Cowboy culture meets cosmopolitan city, and with a few chic beach towns thrown in the mix, visitors to Uruguay have a one-size-fits-all South American getaway.