Uruguay

New hotels beckon travelers to two up-and-coming destinations. The beach town of Jose Ignacio attracts a high-wattage crowd that has included Shakira and Jason Wu, yet “the vibe here is not so precious: everyone is so low-key and relaxed,” says insider Carrie Vik, who just opened her third hotel in the area: the 11-bungalow Bahia Vik, tucked among the dunes of Mansa Beach. “I love to horseback ride along the sand, or bicycle up to Laguna Garzon and watch the kite surfers, she adds.” Return in time to catch the spectacular sunset over caipiroskas at La Huella, Playa Brava’s iconic seaside restaurant. To the west, the boutique wineries and farm-to-table dining have made the Carmelo region a go-to weekend getaway for stylish Argentines. Casa Chic raises the cool quotient with its 20 rooms set on 250 acres of untouched forest and a showstopping pool overlooking the Río de la Plata. —Shane Mitchell, Paola Singer