Between January and August 2026, 42,241 Uruguayan tourists arrived in Chile, 2.5% more than in the same period of 2025 (41,203) and 2.9% above the same months of 2019 (41,053). That makes Uruguay the ninth source country for tourists in 2026, ahead of France and Germany, according to foreign tourist arrival data from the Undersecretariat of Tourism and Sernatur. March 2026, with 7,875 arrivals, was the highest March since the series began in 2008.
*Updated on 8 November 2026, with the October 2026 release (data to August 2026).* Figures are foreign tourists by nationality, exclude arrivals by sea ports and are preliminary since 2020.
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| Arrivals Jan-Aug 2026 | 42,241 |
| Arrivals in 2025 | 64,981 |
| Annual record | 69,912 |
Uruguayan tourists in Chile by year
In 2008, 27,010 Uruguayans arrived. The figure jumped in 2017 to 69,912, the series record, and stayed close in 2018 (69,647). After the pandemic, the recovery was slower than for other markets, but 2024 (62,269) and 2025 (64,981) are now less than 10% below the peak. In 2025, Uruguay was the tenth country by tourist arrivals in Chile.
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| Uruguayan tourists | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 27,010 |
| 2009 | 29,804 |
| 2010 | 30,614 |
| 2011 | 36,888 |
| 2012 | 35,624 |
| 2013 | 36,291 |
| 2014 | 39,369 |
| 2015 | 39,771 |
| 2016 | 46,698 |
| 2017 | 69,912 |
| 2018 | 69,647 |
| 2019 | 57,677 |
| 2020 | 9,199 |
| 2021 | 1,595 |
| 2022 | 23,648 |
| 2023 | 34,477 |
| 2024 | 62,269 |
| 2025 | 64,981 |
| Year | Uruguayan tourists | Year | Uruguayan tourists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 27,010 | 2017 | 69,912 (record) |
| 2009 | 29,804 | 2018 | 69,647 |
| 2010 | 30,614 | 2019 | 57,677 |
| 2011 | 36,888 | 2020 | 9,199 |
| 2012 | 35,624 | 2021 | 1,595 |
| 2013 | 36,291 | 2022 | 23,648 |
| 2014 | 39,369 | 2023 | 34,477 |
| 2015 | 39,771 | 2024 | 62,269 |
| 2016 | 46,698 | 2025 | 64,981 |
Source: Undersecretariat of Tourism and Sernatur, "Cuadro por Nacionalidad" sheet. 2026 stands at 42,241 to August.
Uruguayan tourists in Chile by month: Tourism Week rules
Unlike Europeans, Uruguayans do not concentrate in the summer. Their peak months follow their country's holiday calendar: Tourism Week (which coincides with Holy Week), the July winter break and the September spring break. In 2026 Holy Week fell between late March and early April, and March recorded 7,875 arrivals, the fourth-highest month in the series. In 2025, with Holy Week in mid-April, the peak was April (7,289).
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| 2019 | 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5,070 | 5,819 | 5,437 |
| Feb | 3,653 | 4,109 | 4,303 |
| Mar | 5,178 | 4,676 | 7,875 |
| Apr | 7,489 | 7,289 | 5,622 |
| May | 4,569 | 4,095 | 3,912 |
| Jun | 4,208 | 3,139 | 4,578 |
| Jul | 5,873 | 6,210 | 5,071 |
| Aug | 5,013 | 5,866 | 5,443 |
| Sep | 6,358 | 6,762 | No data |
| Oct | 4,313 | 6,169 | No data |
| Nov | 2,759 | 6,116 | No data |
| Dec | 3,194 | 4,731 | No data |
| Month | 2019 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5,070 | 5,819 | 5,437 |
| February | 3,653 | 4,109 | 4,303 |
| March | 5,178 | 4,676 | 7,875 (record for the month) |
| April | 7,489 | 7,289 | 5,622 |
| May | 4,569 | 4,095 | 3,912 |
| June | 4,208 | 3,139 | 4,578 |
| July | 5,873 | 6,210 | 5,071 |
| August | 5,013 | 5,866 | 5,443 |
| September | 6,358 | 6,762 | — |
| October | 4,313 | 6,169 | — |
| November | 2,759 | 6,116 | — |
| December | 3,194 | 4,731 (record for the month) | — |
Source: Undersecretariat of Tourism and Sernatur. The month with the most Uruguayans in the series is September 2018 (8,778).
Uruguayan tourists compared with other countries
With 3.4 million inhabitants, Uruguay sends more tourists to Chile than France, Germany or the United Kingdom in 2026. Among South American neighbours it is far behind Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia and Peru, but ahead of Ecuador and Paraguay.
| Rank | Country | Jan-Aug 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Colombia | 93,716 | 149,592 |
| 7 | Spain | 47,948 | 80,821 |
| 8 | Australia | 42,914 | 45,281 |
| 9 | Uruguay | 42,241 | 64,981 |
| 10 | France | 41,779 | 65,691 |
| 11 | Germany | 41,491 | 68,405 |
| 12 | United Kingdom ("England") | 37,847 | 56,748 |
| 13 | Mexico | 36,727 | 61,139 |
Source: Undersecretariat of Tourism and Sernatur; ranks among foreign nationalities. The top five are Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and the United States; see Argentine tourists and Brazilian tourists.
Where Uruguayan tourists enter Chile
83% of Uruguayans arrived in 2025 through Santiago airport (53,831). Overland, the main crossing is Cristo Redentor (4,074), on the road from Mendoza, followed by Cardenal Samoré (2,086), which links Bariloche with Osorno and Puerto Varas. By region, after Santiago come Valparaíso, Los Lagos and Magallanes.
| Entry point | 2025 | Jan-Aug 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Santiago airport | 53,831 | 34,725 |
| Cristo Redentor (Los Libertadores) | 4,074 | 2,743 |
| Cardenal Samoré | 2,086 | 1,358 |
| San Sebastián | 616 | 333 |
| Puesco (Mamuil Malal) | 610 | 342 |
| Integración Austral (Monte Aymond) | 581 | 291 |
| Jama | 395 | 331 |
| Río Don Guillermo | 385 | 261 |
| Concordia (Chacalluta) | 377 | 306 |
| Hito Cajón | 294 | 150 |
Source: Undersecretariat of Tourism and Sernatur, "CONSULTA_DESAGREGADA" sheet. If you travel overland, see our story on border crossings with the most tourists.
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| Metropolitana | 53,839 |
| Valparaíso | 4,074 |
| Los Lagos | 2,351 |
| Magallanes | 2,007 |
| La Araucanía | 1,004 |
| Antofagasta | 739 |
| Arica y Parinacota | 388 |
| Maule | 206 |
| Aysén | 152 |
| Los Ríos | 97 |
| Atacama | 70 |
| Coquimbo | 31 |
| Biobío | 12 |
| Tarapacá | 11 |
Frequently asked questions
How many Uruguayan tourists visit Chile each year?
64,981 in 2025. The record is 2017, with 69,912. Between January and August 2026, 42,241 arrived, 2.5% more than in the same period of 2025.
When do Uruguayans travel to Chile most?
During Tourism Week (March or April, depending on Holy Week), the July holidays and September.
Where does Uruguay rank among countries visiting Chile?
Tenth in 2025 and ninth between January and August 2026, ahead of France.
How to cite this data
Viajando Chile (2026). *Uruguayan tourists in Chile 2026: 42,241 arrivals to August, now ahead of France, and a record March*. Based on data from the Undersecretariat of Tourism and Sernatur. Available at: https://viajandochile.com/en/news/uruguayan-tourists-in-chile-statistics
