Karen A Higgs is British and has been writing about Uruguay for foreigners since 2013. She and her family moved to Uruguay in 2000 for quality of life. Prior to that she’d lived a decade in the US, Spain, Costa Rica and the UK.
Karen grew up in the South Wales Valleys. At 22 she found herself stranded in Mexico City airport with just a pocket Spanish dictionary for company. She sang 60s covers in a psychedelic rock bar in Costa Rica. In Buenos Aires, she impressed her teenage English language students by riding a 500 cc motorbike around town. After several years working in web design in Washington DC, in 2000, she moved to Uruguay as a digital nomad leading the communications team at an international non-profit.
In 2010 she made a radical change of career, running an award-winning guesthouse in Montevideo’s Old City. Pleas from grateful guests to share her insider information about the city more widely inspired the popular Guru’Guay website in late 2013.
Since then Karen has written The Guru’Guay Guide to Montevideo (2nd ed Oct. 2019) – the only English-language city guide to the capital – and its companion The Guru’Guay Guide to Uruguay: Beaches, Ranches & Wine Country (2nd ed Nov. 2024). They are Amazon bestsellers. In 2020, Karen narrated and published the Montevideo guide as an audiobook. It is Uruguay’s first ever long-length audiobook in the world.
Our website visitors are mainly from the US, Uruguay, Argentina, Canada and the UK.
Karen A Higgs is the only Uruguay travel guide author to live in Uruguay. The difference to the other commercial guidebooks is palpable.
Guru’Guay is proud to be part of Uruguay Natural, Uruguay’s country brand. Our guidebooks have been sponsored by the Uruguay Ministry of Tourism and the Government of Montevideo.
Karen can be your personal guide. She is available to provide expert guidance to people like yourself who are deciding if Uruguay is a great place for them to visit, live and invest.
37 responses
Karen’s background is so relatable—someone who moved to Uruguay, fell in love with it, and then decided to help others figure it out too? That’s the kind of insider advice you actually want when traveling or relocating.
What I really like is how the article isn’t just about promoting travel—it’s personal, honest, and shows real love for the country without sugarcoating things. You get a sense that she’s built trust with locals and expats alike, and that makes me feel way more confident using her guides or taking her recommendations seriously.
Language-wise, the writing is clear, warm, and totally approachable. It feels like reading a note from a well-traveled friend who just wants to help you enjoy the place she calls home. There are a few parts where the tone is a bit enthusiastic-bordering-on-touristy, but it still comes across as genuine rather than salesy.
Mark, it was such a pleasure to do a consultation with you! I’m looking forward to hearing all about how your move goes — Karen
Hello. My name is Martin EISENHART and I used both your books last year in March to help organize my trip to Uruguay, which was wonderful. I stayed for three weeks. I purchased a leather jacket from Otro and I’m trying to get in touch with them but keep getting kicked back. I’ve noticed that you support them on instagramand was wondering if you could give me a better way to reach out to them I had purchased a jacket and would like to consider another purchase. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you so much
Hey Martin, that is so cool to hear about you enjoying our books (do you ever do Amazon reviews? We’d LOVE if you could) And amazing you bought a jacket from Otro Vintage! I’ll contact Tavo and tell him to send you an email. Have you tried reaching out to them by direct message on Instagram? — Karen
And if you hear Karen Ann singing you’ll be astonished.
Awww! 🙂
Hi Karen,
I’m from the USA, with long time connections in Uruguay. I moved (back) to Rocha 2 years ago after 12 away, just coming for visits. My how the health care system has changed, part for us folks over 60.
I’m very frustrated trying to figure out best options. I also still spend 4-6 months a year in the US/Europe.
Could you reccomend a professional for me consult regarding options?
Thanks so much.
– I love your page, you’re doing a stupendous job! –
Hey Sakshi, absolutely! Talk to Alejandro regarding your health insurance options. So glad you like the page! — Karen
So eine Überraschung, ich schriebe ein Buch in dem Uruguay vorkommt und nun bin ich so froh Guruguay entdeckt zu haben.
Wonderful!
Hi,
So interesting website 🤩 thanks
Can you let me know when is the high season of tourism in Uruguay?
From when to when exactly Brazilian & others tourists overcrowding the beaches?
Thanks because we would like to come before
Best regards
Hi Brigitte, you can find out all about the best time to visit Uruguay including about high season in the article I’ve just linked. If you like the website you’ll love our guidebooks which you can buy from Amazon anywhere in the world. All the best, Karen
Love the website Karen and I’m on your email list. Just a note I tried to order your books but couldn’t get the Montevideo one from Amazon.co.uk. I have ordered from Amazon.com site. Maybe it is just a problem with ordering from Ireland (we are the Uruguay of Europe) but maybe your publishers are not supplying the book properly. Anyway I can wait but trying to prepare for a loner third trip to Uruguay in 2025.
Thanks for the kind words, Tim! That’s weird. I’ve just checked and the book is deliverable within the UK here https://www.amazon.co.uk/GuruGuay-Guide-Montevideo-Karen-Higgs/dp/1693100533. Maybe as you say, it’s an Irish thing?? — Karen
Hello Karen,
As fate would have it, I saw your TikTok video yesterday and then I had a slightly uncomfortable encounter with a taxi driver today in Montevideo. I’ve lived here four years and have never tipped a taxi driver. The driver was insistent. I did not tip. When I got home I search online to see if tipping taxi drivers is something new. I came across your site first which states tipping of taxi drivers is not expected. Do you know if the expectation has changed recently?
Hi Darryl, how nice to have you here after you saw Guru’Guay on Tik Tok. Cheers! No, no changes. So you were acting perfectly like a local. Best wishes from the Old City — Karen
Hi Karen… I’ve been going thru your guidebook to Montevideo in preparation for an 8 day solo trip there on the first week of March. I’m entertaining wild thoughts of retiring in a couple years somewhere outside the crazy USA. My ticket has me arriving in Montevideo at about 10 pm local time (and I’ve never gone anywhere in Latin America on time) and I’m wondering how local transportation to hotels is in the late evening. I also clicked the link to your place, but it was in Chinese for some reason, looked like an abandoned site. Are you still open? Any other recommendations if not? I’m thinking of the ciudad viejo area to start with.
Thanks so much, Dan
Hi Dan, thanks for buying my guidebook! Airport transportation will still be working. See page 87 of your guidebook. My old guesthouse is no longer open. I’m focussed 100% on Guru’Guay. Here are great accommodation recommendations for you. Have a wonderful trip and if you still feel excited about Uruguay after your stay, feel free to hit me up for a consultation regarding retiring! It’d be a pleasure to assist. Great to be in touch, Karen
Hello Karen. I will be visiting Montevideo for the month of February and don’t want to rent a car. Can you recommend a personal driver in case I would like to visit a specific winery? Thanks so much. Great website!
Joseph
Hi Joseph, how cool you’ll be here for the entire month! I’d recommend B&B Remises https://www.bybremises.com/en/ Very reliable. Tell them you came through Guru’Guay and thanks for the kind words about the site. Greetings from the Old City of Montevideo — Karen
Hi, anyone in the group from the province of Québec, Canada?
Hi Karen,
After a extensive research I’m eager residence for my family of 7 in Uruguay. I’m looking for some recommendations for the most professional immigration service in the country and other resources. Do you have an opinion on that? I’m happy to pay.
Hi Karen! I’ve just got to you, I really didn’t know what you were doing for my country, great job! I’m living in Piriápolis, a small coastal town in Maldonado which has a very rich history, beautiful hills falling to the sea and a mystical background to be unveiled. I lived all my life in Montevideo and now moved here, to Piriapolis, and I just can’t understand how this town (Magnum Opus of Francisco Piria, its founder) isn’t one of the main destiny’s for tourists, travellers or even people who are willing to move to Uruguay… I’m starting a project to empower this town and its sourroundings and really would appreciate your advice or help, how does it sound? I am sad to see how many interesting places, architectural works, awesome landscapes which we have in Piriápolis are not properly cared for or valued. My brother-in-law, Fernando Tapia, is a member of the Colonia del Sacramento Tourism Commission and in that city one can see the enthusiasm and care for the heritage, it is really motivating and inspiring. Piriapolis, and all nearby towns, need betters services, hostings,etc. but I think that if people knew its existence, history, landscapes, mystical and cultural interest they surely would come to see… Sorry if I bored you, I’m indignant to see such fabulous place becoming decadent, I really would like to help people here to rise up and show this beauty to the world. Bye!!
Christian, so lovely to hear from you! You must have come to me thanks to my article in El Pais. I know exactly what you mean. I have written about Piriapolis and it’s a gorgeous place. Join our newsletter and we’ll be in touch every month! — All the best Karen Besos de Montevideo!
Hi Karen I watched a documental about you and Anthony Fletcher, two English people in Uruguay and I admire your passion. I am a teacher of English in the north of Argentina. I want to tell you that the word Uruguay is from guaraní language and it means the river of the birds. Best regsrds
Thanks so much, Guillermo! I appreciate it. The documentary was great fun to do. I have people from all over Latin America contacting me to say they’ve seen it! I’m actually Welsh. Anthony is English. Together we are British 🙂 — all the best, Karen
Excellent guide to Uruguay !
Thank you Karen !
Awww, thank you, Alicia!!! Are you referring to the guidebooks or the website?
Hi
I am considering travelling from Montevideo airport to Punta del Este in October 2019.
Can you help me with bus numbers, timetable and bus stop locations.
Many thanks
Karen
UK
Hi Karen, I hope that you have found our post about getting around Uruguay. Best, Karen
Hi, my friend Sam recommended that I contact you. There many things I need help with in Uruguay, some including immigration, bank accounts, tax number and more, too much to list. I need to contact you preferably by phone if you could provide me with your number if not then email might work. My number is country code xxxxxx. I can pay you through western union for your services. I am located in Canada. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Craig
Hi Craig, I’ve sent you an email to find out what it is you need exactly so that I can refer you to the right person but it’s going to be someone from our recommended relocation specialists. Best, Karen (PS I removed your phone number so it’s not out on the internet!)
Hi I would like to buy the book here in Uruguay. In which bookshop can I find it?
Hi Karen, great! It is distributed countrywide. If you go to a bookshop and they don’t have either (there are two – the Uruguay one and the Montevideo one), then you can ask them to order it and it should be there within 1-2 days. The distributor is called Gussi. If you want to let me know where you are, I can find out the closest bookshop to you. Many are doing delivery right now. Thanks so much for your interest! — Karen PS I’m assuming you want the paperback. The digital is available on our site. Also… you’re the first to hear this 😉 the AUDIOBOOK of the Montevideo guide will be out on Audible in the next few weeks!
I would like to purchase the guide book guruguay
I am from SnFrancisco CA.
Native Uruguayan.. Resident of California for most of 60 r/s.
I am sure that lots of changes since I left the Country.
My name is Blanca Beal
Email leridachuchu@yahoo.com
How lovely, Blanca! Here is the link to buy the Uruguay book on Amazon and the Montevideo book. Greetings from Montevideo — Karen
Hi! I need a doctor to get me mwdicines that require a green prescription can you send me some contacts for that?