The so-called St Tropez of South America is ghost town-like in winter. Further afield, the idyllic village of Jose Ignacio lures a sophisticated crowd including supermodel Gisele Bundchen , then there's a string of less developed, but increasingly popular, beaches, at Cabo Polonio and Punta del Diablo, which cater for surfers, backpackers and wildlife watchers sea lions and whales frolic offshore.
In the opposite direction, a two-hour drive west of Montevideo, Colonia is Uruguay's prettiest town. Founded in by the Portuguese as a port to smuggle goods to Spanish-held Buenos Aires, it was long fought over by forces loyal to Lisbon and Madrid. This is reflected in the varied architecture sprinkled along the sleepy, bougainvillea-shaded cobbled streets. Colonia is a delight at all times, but oozes a different kind of magic when the day-trippers have returned to BA - a minute ferry ride away.
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Decades after Christopher Skase built it, this resort still impresses Contains:. Spread out: Australia's 11 best city picnic spots Contains:. Home South America Uruguay. Uruguay travel guide. Get the latest news and updates emailed straight to your inbox. The Uruguayan Carnaval is completely unique. It consists of 4 parades and a big official competition.
Groups compete in different categories, one of which is murga a combination of singing, music, colourful costumes and political satire. Another category is las llamadas, a parade of groups of lubolas with that play hypnotic drums and who, with their dances and rhythms, connect us to the legacy of African music that arrived in Uruguay over two hundred years ago.
The great importance of candombe the music of the drums in our culture is reflected in the fact that every Saturday and Sunday in neighbourhoods around Montevideo, you can find groups of drummers parading the streets and sharing their music.
Dramatic arts draw a large crowd. This is a place where old and young, tradition and modernity seem to meet, as hipsters shake hands with butchers who - unlike their beef - look like they are way past their prime. The herbivores among us however can also find plenty of culinary alternatives to enjoy in Montevideo, such as torta frita, a pan-fried cake made from flour, yeast, and water. However, be aware that various forms of animal fat are also used a common ingredient across Latin America and make sure that yours is free of any such lardy substance — or "manteca" in Spanish.
As a back-up, there is a rich assortment of Italian-inspired dishes available throughout the city, which were originally brought over from European immigrants in the 19th century. These delicacies should be accompanied by a bottle of Tannat, a velvety red wine that is considered to be the national grape of Uruguay. But beware, the dark and rich wine can go to your head both because of its deceivingly fruity nature and its high alcohol content.
If one thing does lead to another after perhaps one too many bottles of Tannat, you can explore Montevideo's pumping night life, with plenty of clubs catering to every interest from hard rock to the LGBTQ community. Don't worry too much about suffering a hangover the next morning; Uruguay has the best cure for that at the ready as well. Yerba mate is enjoyed throughout the region and is celebrated in almost mythical ways. This thick herbal infusion is drunk by young and old alike from a small, butternut-shaped cup without a handle and is consumed by sucking it through a special metal straw that filters out all impurities.
It is to Montevideanos what coffee is to New Yorkers. Around half of Uruguay's population live in the busy capital Montevideo - with most of them addicted to mate. With its high caffeine content and antioxidant properties, you will see locals of all ages carry their favorite hot drink around in little kits designed exactly for the purpose of having it accessible at all times and places. This takes some serious dedication, as shlepping around a large thermos with hot water is part of the charming but elaborate mate cult.
As opposed to their Argentine neighbors, however, people in Uruguay never add sugar to their mate, giving it a bitter taste - at least to the uninitiated. Uruguay is a small South American country with an eclectic culture, a thriving entrepreneurial mindset, and a high standard of life among South American countries. In fact, the Mercer's report on quality of life has continuously rated Montevideo as the best Latin American city to live in.
A mix of Colonial, Neoclassical, and Postmodern-style buildings dominate the skyline of Montevideo, although much of the city's architecture is a clear reminder of the strong European influence on the country's culture and heritage.
Montevideo has many parks, including Park Battle, Park Prado, and Park Rodo, all of which offer small attractions that range from artificial lakes to open-air exhibitions to space for sports and entertainment. Museums and art galleries also dot the city and are a great way to learn more about a city that's always growing while still holding tight to its roots. For more ideas on what to do and see in Uruguay's capital, see our list of top things to do in Montevideo.
Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues. Plaza Independencia. The mausoleum is accessed through a staircase that goes underground and holds an urn with Artigas' remains, as well as some plaques commemorating his life and military efforts.
Some of the most important buildings in Montevideo are located around the plaza, including the 18 th -century Puerta de la Ciudadela City Gate —all that's left of the fortress walls that once surrounded Montevideo. The Estevez Palace , now home to a museum, as well as Palacio Salvo , also sit just across the street from the plaza. The 33 palm trees on the plaza are a homage to the 33 men led by Juan Antonio Lavalleja y de la Torre who would later become president of Uruguay into battle during the Independence War.
To try the best of Uruguay's meat and pasta dishes, especially the famous asado BBQ, it doesn't get any better than the harbor-area Mercado del Puerto. All the food is cooked on open fires, right in front of the customers' eyes, using traditional methods and spices. Uruguay's cuisine is an exciting mix of Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese dishes. Very few foods belonging to local indigenous tribes ever made it into Uruguayan gastronomy, as the natives and their culture were never allowed to integrate into the population, which was mostly of European descent.
Outside the building, artisans, musicians, and crafters congregate on weekends to sell their wares and add color to the area. Salvo Palace. Built in the s, the Salvo Palace wasn't originally designed for a particular purpose, although the earliest plans were to convert it into a hotel. This never happened, and instead the building, owned by the Salvo brothers, became an office and residential place.
At one point, the palace was the tallest building in Latin America. Located just across the street from Plaza Independencia , the Salvo Palace is still mostly private property, except for the space taken by the Tango Museum on one of the floors.
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