Be careful and really research this...In order to fly to Uruguay, you need to take a flight that DOES NOT connect/stop in the USA...
When I was still dating my husband, we also wanted to go on a trip while we waited, I tried Copa and they first fly to Miami, then to Uruguay...that's NOT an option since your wife does not have a visa yet...
You have several options to fly to Argentina/Uruguay/Chile/Peru/Colombia when flying from DR.
- LAN Chile and LAN Argentina from Punta Cana (both flights Saturday, one direct to Santiago de Chile, one direct to Buenos Aires).
- COPA from Santo Domingo, Santiago and Punta Cana, via Panama (has connections to Uruguay as well).
- TACA/LACSA from Santo Domingo, via Costa Rica, also connect to Latin American destinations.
- AEROPOSTAL from Santo Domingo and ??Punta Cana?? to Colombia and Peru.
Please note than in case of COPA, TACA and AEROPOSTAL you need to make connection the same day, as you are not allowed to leave the airport in PANAMA/COSTA RICA/VENEZUELA without entry visa (DR citizens).
With LAN you can make a stopover in Santiago de Chile or Buenos Aires and enter visa-free.