They go because it's close by for a getaway, some relatively nice beaches and shopping. I know some that go for banking purposes since Uruguay is the "Switzerland" of South America and people with some money "keep it" there. To go elsewhere would be very far and far more expensive and time consuming. Have a look at the geography of where each country lays. Kind of like why southern border USA Americans go to Tijuana and the Baja and northern border Americans go to Canada instead of elsewhere. Hey, Uruguay isn't bad, it's just overrated in my opinion. To be honest I'd rather return for a day or two to Uruguay than to Chile any day!