Uruguay: One Of the Most Underrated Countries In the World

DESTINATIONS CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA Anthony Bourdain Called This One Country The Most Underrated In The World Elojotorpe/Getty Images BY SHELBY WILKERSONMARCH 20, 2025 8:00 AM EST The late Anthony Bourdain was more than a former television host with a keen sense of storytelling — he was a renowned culinary giant who undoubtedly revamped how people experience travel and food. A former executive chef turned host and author, his shows like "No Reservations" and "Parts Unknown" took watchers off the beaten paths, blending grungy locations with an inclination for the underdog and the hole-in-the-wall. His palate was impressive, his curiosity endless, and his ability to find these hidden gems made him a travel oracle. When asked by National Geographic about the most underrated travel destination he'd visited, he resoundingly answered Uruguay.  Located on South America's southeastern coast, Uruguay is the continent's second-smallest nation, and is often left in the shadows by the elevated pulse of well-known neighbors like Brazil and Argentina. Bourdain loved it for its authentic and unassuming energy, it's laidback soul, stunning beaches, and fabulous food. He raved about the national sandwich, the chivito. He wondered how such a place could remain this undiscovered, mostly known to the savvy Argentinians popping over for their vacations. With nearly half its 3.4 million people packed into the capital, Montevideo, Uruguay feels like a cozy, undiscovered treasure.  Getting there is easy, with the main port of entrance through Carrasco's International Airport in Montevideo, a travel hub promising to "bring Uruguay closer to the world." Many visitors opt to go during their summer season, October through March, when the sun offers long days, the beaches beckon, and the national Carnival reigns king. It's peak season, but worth it for the warmest days offering endless time to explore and acquaint oneself with the myriad adventures. Uruguay's beaches steal the show John W. Banagan/Getty Images Uruguay's coastline stretches about 410 miles along the gorgeous Atlantic Ocean, a golden strip of sand and surf beckoning sun-worshippers (Anthony Bourdain described them to National Geographic as "incredible"). From the stylish villages and resorts to the boho hideaways, there is a spot for every traveler. Punta del Este, also called "The Pearl of the Atlantic," is known as the crown jewel of Uruguay's coastline. Think South America's counter to the French Riviera. With its peninsula protruding into the ocean, it provides wonderful surfing, water sports, beach access, and a nightlife reverberating with glitz. The iconic La Mano sculpture, it's massive fingers reaching up from the sand, is an absolute must-see, while restaurants, art galleries, and fashionable shops line the streets waiting to be discovered.  For a more relaxed vibe, head to Jose Ignacio or La Barra, where barefoot vibes and serenity reign. These spots trade flash for soul —think horseback riding and sunsets that easily melt into the sea. Near to Montevideo, The Rambla stretches almost 13 miles, offering beaches like Playa de los Pocitos, a bustling enclave just minutes from downtown offers a beautiful stretch of golden sand, or check out Playa Carrasco where century-old mansions provide a beautiful architectural backdrop and a nod to the past. For solitude, Playa de la Aguada delivers quiet wave breaks perfect for surfing, while Laguna de Rocha, not a beach but a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, delights visitors with opportunities to see bright pink flamingos and birdwatching bliss. It's no wonder Bourdain saw this place as a sleeper hit — a true travel bucket list destination. Uruguay has a food scene worth savoring Abriendomundo/Getty Images Uruguay's culinary scene talks the talk and walks the walk — it's carved into its history, community, and lifestyle. The Fray Bentos Industrial Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage site known as "the greatest kitchen of the world," revolutionizes meat processing while exporting over 200 products globally. This beef legacy lives on in the country, as grasslands cover about 80%, feeding cattle and animals that end up in popular dishes such as chivito. Bourdain called chivito the "the Mount Everest of sandwiches," stacked with beef, ham, bacon, egg, cheese, and more, often served atop a bed of french fries. It's a carnivore's dream, and a national icon. Then there is asado, the Uruguayan barbecue that's both meal and ritual. Slabs of beef, goat, or pork sizzling over an open, wood-fired flam, a smoky celebration of the country's community and pride. Vegetarians might struggle, but meat lovers will be in heaven. For dessert, dulce de leche reigns supreme, a rich and creamy caramelized sauce created by slowly cooking down sweet and condensed milk. Visitors will find this in many deserts, like flan, churros, or alfajores, shortbread cookies sandwiched by the rich and creamy gold. Pionono, a rolled sponge cake, and a sweet medialunas for breakfast round out the sugar rush. Uruguay is unapologetically simple, hearty, and steeped in history. The UNESCO nod to Fray Bentos provides the perfect punctuation: a food culture born from innovation and tradition, still thriving today. From beachside carnival feasts, Uruguay's table is set for adventure and delight. Go taste it for yourself to see why Bourdain called it a beautiful destination for your next South American beach vacation.  RECOMMENDED Not Even Rick Steves Would Return To This European Destination Rick Steves' Genius Trick To Keep Pick Pockets Far, Far Away Flight Attendants Are Always Watching For This While You Board The Clothing Color That Makes You A Target While Traveling Solo NEXT UP DESTINATIONS The 29 Most Beautiful Temples In The World molloykeith/E+ via Getty Images BY SYJIL ASHRAFAPRIL 29, 2020 2:30 PM EST Both places of worship and architectural marvels, these grand temples around the world are an amazing sight. A rental for every road Sponsored By Chase Travel See More 1. Lotus Temple (New Delhi) Naveen0301/E+ via Getty Images The lotus is sacred in many religions, including the Bahá'í faith, and as a floral symbol, it generally signifies enlightenment, rebirth, and purity. The Bahá'í House of Worship in New Delhi, popularly known as the Lotus Temple, takes on the shape of one to symbolize the unity of mankind, key to the faith. 2. Wat Rong Khun (Chiang Rai, Thailand) John D. Buffington/DigitalVision via Getty Images Wat Rong Khun is an undiscovered wonder of Thailand. Its distinctive design is in the Thai Buddhist style, and its pristine and white appearance seems to almost sparkle. 3. Temple Mount (Jerusalem) Ivoha/Shutterstock Jerusalem is an important city in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, and the Temple Mount is a significant place to all three religions. In addition to being the holiest site in Judaism, which dictates it as the site where Abraham offered up his son as sacrifice, it is also the third holiest site for Muslims, with the iconic Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque having been built here. 4. Kotoku-In (Kamakura, Japan) Patryk Kosmider/Shutterstock Kotoku-In is a Buddhist temple famous for being the home of the Great Buddha of Kamakura, the largest outdoor Buddha in Japan. Azaleas color the scenery during the blooming season, and the temple is surrounded by beautiful gardens as well. 5. Byodo-In Temple (Kaneohe, Hawaii) Shane Myers Photography/Shutterstock A lesser-known spot in Hawaii, the Byodo-In Temple is situated at the base of the Ko'olau Mountains of Oahu. The non-practicing Buddhist temple, which welcomes people of all faiths for worship, is surrounded by meditation spots, waterfalls, and a reflection pond — it even has some wandering wild peacocks. 6. Golden Temple (Amritsar, India) Traveler1116/E+ via Getty Images India's Sri Harminder Sahib, or Golden Temple, in Amritsar is one of the most sacred pilgrimage spots in Sikhism and gets its name due to the fact that it's built with 400 kilograms of gold leaf. The temple puts great emphasis on acts of kindness, notably feeding about 20,000 people for free every day and up to 100,000 for special occasions. 7. Temple of Heaven (Beijing) MediaProduction/E+ via Getty Images The Temple of Heaven in Beijing has a complex consisting of 92 buildings with 600 rooms. Two main sites are the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Circular Mound, which is open to the heavens. 8. Temple of Confucius (Qufu, China) Elf0724/iStock via Getty Images Plus The Temple of Confucius is also a historical mansion that is the family home and resting place of the legendary philosopher and politician. In addition to the tomb of Confucius, the remains of more than 100,000 descendants are at the complex's cemetery. 9. Gawdawpalin Temple (Bagan, Myanmar) Rhombur/iStock via Getty Images Plus About 2,000 monuments and pagodas lie in the Bagan plains of Myanmar, including Gawdawpalin Temple. Towering above lush green trees, the russet tones of the temple match those around it in a mesmerizing sight. 10. Borobudur (Java, Indonesia) Adel Newman/Shutterstock The Indonesian island of Java is an underrated spot that's home to the largest Buddhist temple in the world. The Borobudur temple, which was built in the eighth and ninth centuries, has a main three-tiered stupa surrounded by 72 other stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha. 11. Shwedagon Pagoda (Yangon, Myanmar) Xavierarnau/E+ via Getty Images Said to house multiple holy Buddhist relics, including strands of hair from the Buddha himself, Shwedagon Pagoda is a 2,500-year-old temple in what is now the coastal city of Yangon in present-day Myanmar. It was built using hundreds of gold plates and 4,531 diamonds encrusted into the top of its stupa. 12. Angkor Wat (Siem Reap, Cambodia) Martinho Smart/Shutterstock The temple of Angkor Wat is one of the largest religious structures in the world, originally built in the 12th century as a Hindu temple before being converted for Buddhist use. Marveling at this architectural achievement and its surrounding complex is a bucket-list experience for every American. 13. Temple Emanu-El (New York) demerzel21/iStock via Getty Images Plus New York City has plenty of sights, but you may not know about Temple Emanu-El. The new synagogue was designed in the Romanesque-revival style by Jewish architects and continues to be an important site in Reform Judaism. 14. Paro Taktsang (Upper Paro Valley, Bhutan) Avik/Shutterstock The South Asian nation of Bhutan's most iconic spot is the Taktsang Palphug Monastery, better known as Paro Taktsang. Situated on a cliff more than 10,000 feet above sea level, the temple complex is a breathtaking sight surrounded by majestic mountains and lush green valleys. 15. Mahabodhi Temple (Bodh Gaya, India) Tinnaporn/iStock via Getty Images Plus One of the first Buddhist temples built from brick that is still standing, the Mahabodhi Temple is an impressive 164 feet tall. One of the four main holy sites related to the life of the Buddha, the temple complex was established in the third century B.C. on the site where it is said he first achieved enlightenment. 16. Swaminarayan Akshardham (New Delhi) Sean Hsu/Shutterstock More than 8,000 volunteers from around the world helped build the Hindu temple Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi, taking more than 300 million volunteer hours. This stunning work of architecture in the capital of India was made with marble and sandstone and is surrounded by lovely gardens and a courtyard. 17. Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Robbinsville, New Jersey) Mihai_Andritoiu/Shutterstock Consecrated in 2014, the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a Hindu temple in Central New Jersey and is made entirely of Italian Carrara marble. The intricate carvings of the temple are one of the most breathtaking sights in America and include 13,499 individual carved stone pieces. 18. Wat Benchamabophit (Bangkok) Luciano Mortula – LGM/Shutterstock A landmark of the renowned city of Bangkok, Wat Benchamabophit — often known to foreigners as the Marble Temple — is an excellent example of traditional Thai architecture. The Buddhist temple was built using imported Italian marble and is notable for its striking golden and red roof. 19. Nan Hua Temple (Bronkhorstspruit, South Africa) Arnold Peterson/iStock via Getty Images Plus The largest Buddhist temple in Africa, Nan Hua Temple is also a seminary that draws in students eager to learn from all over the continent. Influenced by the architecture of eastern Asian temples, the building of Nan Hua Temple was supported by the significant Taiwanese community in South Africa. 20. Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Varanasi, India) Gaurav Joshi/iStock via Getty Images Plus Kashi Vishwanath Temple lies on the banks of the Ganges River where thousands of pilgrims come every year for a ritual bath. Located in Varanasi, one of the oldest cities in the world, the temple was built in the 18th century. 21. Pura Taman Ayun (Bali, Indonesia) Guitar photographer/Shutterstock Located in Bali, a paradisiacal island where it's always summer, Pura Taman Ayun dates back to 1634. Built in the traditional Balinese style, the temple grounds have a fountain area and lotus pond, as well as gardens. 22. The Grand Palace (Bangkok) Piyawat Nandeenopparit/Shutterstock Built in the late 18th century, Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram is the royal chapel of the Grand Palace of Bangkok. The perfect spot for some self-care in the form of meditation or worship, it's also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha due to the elaborately emerald Buddha sitting on a golden throne inside. 23. Meenakshi Amman Temple (Madurai, India) Rchphoto/iStock via Getty Images Plus The Meenakshi Amman Temple in southern India is striking due to the rainbow of colors used to paint the figurines that cover the exterior of the Hindu temple. The temple was rebuilt in the 16th and 17th centuries after being destroyed along with much of the city in 1310. 24. Kinkaku-ji Temple (Kyoto, Japan) Marcociannarel/Shutterstock Kyoto is known for its gorgeous cherry blossoms and temples, and the Kinkaku-ji Temple —also known as the Golden Pavilion — is particularly lovely and iconic. Covered in gold leaf and home to sacred relics, the temple also has a garden and a teahouse on its grounds. 25. Cao Dai Temple (Tay Ninh, Vietnam) VuCongDanh/iStock via Getty Images Plus There are numerous temples in Vietnam dedicated to the Cao Dai religion, a widely encompassing religion that reveres figures from many religions and historic periods, including the Buddha, Jesus Christ, Muhammad, Joan of Arc and Julius Caesar. Perhaps most impressive among them is the Cao Dai temple in Tay Ninh, which has bright yellow towers and red roofing that makes it stand out. 26. Bahá'í House of Worship (Wilmette, Illinois) Optop/iStock via Getty Images Plus Located about 16 miles outside of Chicago, the Bahá'í House of Worship is stunningly white both inside and out thanks to a combination of white Portland cement and quartz. Its nine gardens are also considered worship spaces, some including the pretty waters of a reflecting pool. 27. Seiganto-ji Temple (Wakayama, Japan) Nithid Memanee/Shutterstock A bright red temple with soft green roofs on its three tiers, the Seiganto-Ji Temple is a postcard-worthy sight. It stands against a backdrop of intense greenery and the beautiful waterfall known as Nachi Falls. 28. Salt Lake Temple (Salt Lake City) Lukas Bischoff Photograph/Shutterstock The iconic Salt Lake Temple is currently under renovation, yet is impressive all the same. Built in the Gothic style, the impressive temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is located in Salt Lake City's Temple Square, the most visited place in Utah. 29. Batu Caves (Selangor, Malaysia) Sallehudin Ahmad/Shutterstock Located just north of the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, the Batu Caves have three main caves on site, accessed using a 272-step flight of stairs up a limestone outcropping. Several temples can be found within the largest cave, the Temple Cave, at the top of the steps. At the bottom of the steps lies the gigantic statue of the Hindu deity Murugan, making it one of the most awe-inspiring places of worship in the world. RECOMMENDED TSA Agents Just Can't Stand When You Wear This To The Airport The Real Reason You Should Skip Your Next Cruise Vacation The European Amenity Rick Steves Says Is Worth Splurging For Stay Away From This One Beach, It's Totally Overrun With Sharks DO NOT SELL OR SHARE MY INFORMATION Read More: https://www.explore.com/1811888/anthony-bourdain-called-one-country-uruguay-most-underrated-world/