A small country nestled between the giants of Argentina and Brazil on the Atlantic coast, Uruguay is a fun South American destination where you can head to the beach by day and hit up a club at night. For excellent restaurants, a handful of museums, and lively nightlife, head to the capital, Montevideo. For something a little quieter, consider checking out a small hotel in a river town further inland. If the beach is your ultimate motivation, there are many resort towns to choose from. Spanish is the primary language of Uruguay, but many young people learn English in school so many can get by with only a few words of Spanish.

Uruguay is one of the most gay friendly destinations in Latin America. It was the first country in the region to legalize same-sex marriage and gives homosexual couples all the same rights as heterosexual ones. In the capital, Montevideo, pick up a

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