We travel from Buenos Aires to Montevideo & Punta del Este
Tango is a dance that originated in the 1880s along the Río de la Plata, the natural border between Argentina and Uruguay.
A. MONTEVIDEO (2 1/2 HOURS BY FERRY FROM BUENOS AIRES)
Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital, is a major city along Montevideo Bay. It revolves around the Plaza de la Independencia, once home to a Spanish citadel. This plaza leads to Ciudad Vieja (the old town), with art deco buildings, colonial homes and landmarks including the towering Palacio Salvo and neoclassical performance hall Solís Theatre. Montevideo offers an experience for every taste, here are just a few (click on the links for more details):
1. FORTALEZA DEL CERRO
Fortaleza del Cerro, also known as Fortaleza General Artigas, is a fortress situated on the highest hill overlooking the Bay of Montevideo. Construction of the fort began in 1809 and was finished in 1811.
2. MERCADO DEL PUERTO
Located near the main port in Montevideo, the market is filled with shops, restaurants and bars.
3. METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL MONTEVIDEO
The Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral is the main Roman Catholic church of Montevideo, and seat of its archdiocese. It is located right in front of the Cabildo across Constitution Square, in the neighbourhood of Ciudad Vieja.
4. MUSEO ANDES & BLANES
Museo Andes tells the story of the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 plane accident in the Andes in 1972 involving a group of Uruguayan high school rugby players, their friends and relatives that were traveling to Chile when the airplane crashed. Housed in an old mansion in the suburb of Prado, the Museo Blanes shows the work of Uruguay’s most famous painter, Juan Manuel Blanes.
Palacio Taranco, located in front of the Plaza Zabala, in the heart of the Old City is a palace erected in the early 20th century during a period in which the architectural style was influenced by French architecture.
6. PLAZA INDEPENDENCIA
Plaza Independencia is the name of Montevideo's most important plaza. It separates Ciudad Vieja from downtown Montevideo, with the Gateway of The Citadel on one side and the beginning of 18 de Julio avenue on the other. In the center, the Artigas Mausoleum dominates the perspective. You can also visit Estevez and Salvo Palace.
7. POCITOS
Pocitos is an upscale beach barrio (neighbourhood or district). The barrio is known for its beach, Playa Pocitos, and the Rambla, or boulevard, that lies alongside it. Pocitos is located only 10 minutes away from the centre of Montevideo. Along the Rambla can be found many chic and fancy restaurants and shops which attract many people.
8. RAMIREZ BEACH
This beach is many locals’ favourite because it’s easily accessible and near to the city center.
9. SUNDAY MARKET AT FERIA DE TRISTAN NARVAJA
The Feria de Tristán Narvaja is a wonderful place to go on Sundays in Montevideo. It is a mixture of flea market, antique fair and a street market.
10. TEATRO SOLIS
Teatro Solis is Uruguay's most important and renowned theatre. It opened in 1856 and the building was designed by the Italian architect Carlo Zucchi. It is located in Montevideo's Old Town, right next to the Plaza Independencia.
B. PUNTA DEL ESTE (130 KM/2 HOURS FROM MONTEVIDEO)
Punta del Este is a city and resort on the Atlantic Coast in the Maldonado Department of southeastern Uruguay. Punta del Este is also the name of the municipality to which the city belongs. Although the city has a year-round population of about 9,280, the summer season greatly adds to this number. The city has been referred to as "the Monaco of the South", "The Pearl of the Atlantic", "the Hamptons of South America", and "the St. Tropez of South America", being also compared to Miami and Cannes. Here are some of the reasons why you have to add a visit to Punta del Este to your travelwishlist:
1. CASAPUEBLO
Casapueblo was constructed by the Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró. It is located in Punta Ballena, 13 kilometres from Punta del Este. It was originally a summer house and workshop of the artist. It now houses a museum, an art gallery, a cafeteria and a hotel.
2. JOSÉ IGNACIO
A fishing village turned upscale resort, José Ignacio is a flashy, lively extension of Punta del Este’s social scene, drawing wealthy visitors and celebrities to beaches like Brava, also popular for surfing, and Mansa. Yoga studios, cocktail bars, and terraced grill restaurants, often connected to hip hotels, dot the grassy peninsula. José Ignacio lighthouse has steps to the top, with South Atlantic views.
3. LA MANO (THE HAND)
La Mano is a sculpture by Chilean artist Mario Irarrázabal. It depicts five human fingers partially emerging from sand and is located on Parada 1 at Brava Beach.
4. PABLO ATCHUGARRY FOUNDATION
The Fundacion Pablo Atchugarry is a nonprofit institution created by the Uruguayan artist Pablo Atchugarry in 2007 in Punta del Este, Uruguay. The institution aims at promoting visual arts, literature, music, dance and other art forms to its community and visitors.
5. PLAYA BRAVA & MENSA
Playa Brava (turbulent beach) and Playa Mansa (calm beach) is located at each side of the peninsula. The sea at Playa Mansa is calm and perfect for families and swimming. Playa Brava on the other hand is renowned for surfing and popular among young people.
6. PORT
Take a stroll amongst the fishing boats and yachts. Visit the daily fresh seafood market and enjoy a seafood lunch.
7. RALLI MUSEUM
The Punta del Este Ralli Museum is located on Los Arrayanes street, in the very heart of the beautiful park Beverly Hills neighbourhood in a building of more than 6.000 square meters. Especially designed and planned to house a museum, it boasts one of the most important collections of Latin American art in the world, as well as works by renowned European artists.
8. WINE TOURS
Uruguay is the fourth-largest producer of wine in South America, with a production of 67,000 tonnes and 8,023 hectares (19,830 acres) of vineyards in 2012. It is most known for red wines produced from Tannat grapes, but white wines made from Albariño are beginning to receive attention internationally. A wine tour from Punta del Este or Montevideo is highly recommended (see below).
WHEN TO GO: The best time to visit Uruguay is October through March, when the sun shines and temperatures are mild. Punta del Este overflows with tourists from Argentina in summer; if you're seeking a more relaxed time to visit the beaches of the coast, consider going between October and December.
VISAS: Visitors to Uruguay must obtain a visa from one of the Uruguayan diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries.
CURRENCY: Peso Uruguayo
LANGUAGE: The official language is Spanish. English is widely spoken in tourist resorts.
SLEEP AT ENTRE PINOS ECO BOX APART
Self-catering eco apartments in a great location. Boasting a garden with native trees and an outdoor pool, Entre Pinos Eco Box Apart offers self-catering apartments with free WiFi access. The property is only 250 m from Brava Beach and a 3-minute drive from La Barra.
EAT AT LA PULPERIA
La Pulperia is the epitome of an intimate neighborhood parrilla, this corner place doesn’t advertise its presence instead, it focuses on grilling prime cuts of meat to perfection, and relies on word of mouth to do the rest. Grab a barstool by the blazing fire or a table on the sidewalk.
PLAY AT BLANCO TOUR
Blanco Tour offers travellers and tourists a Private and Personalised Tour in a relaxed and fun environment, making you feel as if you were at home. Their purpose at the end of the trip will not only be a beautiful memory of Montevideo but also knowing that you will have a friend when you return to Uruguay.
PLAY AT BORRAVINO WINE TOURS
Borravino Wine Tours was created by professionals born in Mendoza and Uruguay who were passionate about wine in their personal lives but working in other fields. One day not so long ago they decided to give up their day jobs and dedicate themselves to what they really love - wine and the culture surrounding it.
PLAY AT CIUDAD VIEJA TOURS
Explore the history of the city of Montevideo. Ciudad Vieja Tours have taken care to provide a safe and fun experience for everyone. This is an extraordinary city, uncover the mysteries and charm of the old city with them. They offer a walking tour with the best of music, food and culture of la Ciudad Vieja.
PLAY AT WINE EXPLORERS URYGUAY
If you are a wine lover or simply want to know the best wineries in Uruguay, their production process and be welcomed by the owners of the establishments, you should not miss this experience! Verónica González, the owner of the company, will accompany you personally, take you in her car, have lunch with you and make many recommendations that will improve your stay in Uruguay.
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