LATIN AMERICA UNTOUCHED
Wedged between the two south american giants, Brazil and Argentina, Uruguay has always been something of an underdog. Yet after two centuries living in the shadow of its neighbours, South America’s smallest country is finally getting a little well-deserved recognition. Progressive, stable, safe and culturally sophisticated.
Uruguay offers visitors opportunities to experience everyday life whether caught in a cowboy traffic jam or strolling with maté drinking locals along Montevideo’s beachfront. A country known for its verdant interior and beach-lined coast. Here are some of the highlights.
MONTEVIDEO
The capital, Montevideo, revolves around Plaza Independencia, once home to a Spanish citadel. It leads to Ciudad Vieja (Old City), with art deco buildings, colonial homes and Mercado del Puerto, an old port market with many steakhouses. La Rambla, a waterfront promenade, passes fish stalls, piers and parks. It features the charms of modern times and progress, as well as the bohemian atmosphere and the history present in its streets.
With a moderately temperate climate, free of intense temperature extremes, it offers various alternatives for tours, entertainment and shows for all tastes and expectations.
Montevideo lies 170 kilometres away from Colonia del Sacramento and 130 kilometres from the City of Punta del Este. Only a 3-hour voyage separates it from neighbouring Buenos Aires (Argentina capital city).
The city’s big love is its river, which gets dressed up as a lion, as a sea or an ocean depending on the direction of the wind. And it is the locals who always find some time to "matear" (drink some mate), with their flasks and all the necessary items, next to the particular beauty of this scenery, whether at the pier or the waterfront.
One of the nicest tours -both during the day and at night- is an excursion to the Old City. This area still preserves the Citadel Gate, which up to 1829 used to protect the place from possible invasions. The historical shell lodges the most beautiful and picturesque colonial buildings: the Metropolitan cathedral, the Cabildo, the Solís theater and the Torres García Museum, to name a few attractive sights.
Carrasco and Pocitos, in the surroundings of the city, are worth a visit due to their beauty and eccentricity. The wealthiest families in Montevideo reside in these beautiful neighbourhoods. Besides the glamour, Pocitos features a vast beach that reminds visitors of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), even if they are still in Uruguay.
But one of the most relevant events in the city concerns its people. It is the Montevideo Carnival, which is celebrated during February. A popular festival par excellence, it is held on 18 de Julio Avenue, the main street in the City of Montevideo, and not only does it summon people from the entire country but also tourists from all round the world who come along to enjoy the celebrations offered by this delightful great city.
PUNTA DEL ESTE
The City of Punta del Este is located on a long peninsula of sand, woodlands and rocks from which it has taken its name. It is a synonym for international jet set, good life and good taste. Punta del Este is one of those places in the world where everybody wants to return, maybe because its beautiful beaches are the perfect destination for those who are in search of sunshine, white sand, woodlands, clear waters and much glamour.
Located only 130 kilometres away from Montevideo, you’ll find Punta del Este which is divided into two parts. Though they are totally contrasting, they are part of the same place: Playa Mansa (Quiet beach) and Playa Brava (Rough Beach). As it lies on the Río de la Plata side, La Mansa has quiet waters and is protected from the oceanic winds that create rough waves on the shores of La Brava.
The famous sculpture known as "The Hand on the Sand", made in 1982, may be seen on this beach. Sophisticated and natural, Punta del Este features a promenade, sumptuous houses, modern buildings, the most luxurious brands, top celebrities, the best restaurants and top-of-the-line hotels.
Its best-known main avenue is called ”la Gorlero”and it turns into a glamorous catwalk along which thousands of visitors parade without missing any detail, both during the day and at night. At Artigas Square, another emblematic site for afternoon gatherings, numerous stands display beautiful handicrafts made with rock, glass, wood and other materials.
The surroundings of Southern Punta del Este contain very nice places such as Portezuelo, Solanas and Punta Ballena (Whale Point), where "Casapueblo", a majestic white building on the coast, made by Uruguayan sculpture Carlos Páez Vilaró may be appreciated. Apart from housing a hotel, this venue is a museum and atelier where paintings, ceramics and sculptures are presented in numerous shows.
Another site to visit, this time towards the North, is Isla de Lobos (Sea-lions Island), located off the shores of Playa Brava. In addition to a big lighthouse, the largest colony of sea lions in South America may be observed right on this spot. Punta del Este has everything. No wonder it has come to be known as “the Pearl of Uruguay”, which is a well-deserved nickname and is popular with locals and tourists alike.
LA BARRA
La Barra stands out due to its fashionable style. It lies just 20 kilometres away from Punta del Este and it emerged as a fishering village with some summer houses owned by aristocratic families who preferred to stay away from the bustle.
The easiest way to reach La Barra is car or taxi and setting out from Punta del Este. There are also local buses which take visitors down to this destination and even reach José Ignacio.
Peaceful and exclusive at the same time, La Barra is joined to the City of Punta del Este through a famous undulated suspension bridge. Crossing it means going down to a variety of beautiful beaches and fashionable rest areas, each of them with their character.
In the evenings, have fun at the many pubs and bars which serve their best drinks and beers on the busy main street.
As soon as the moon is out and the stars can be seen, the moment comes for the centre of La Barra to become a place where celebrities from the show business and the fashion world gather.
The bathing resort known as José Ignacio is located 40 kilometres away from the Peninsula of Punta del Este,
This spot of paradise is famous for its José Ignacio lighthouse, which invites tourists to get cut off from the outer world through a slogan that has made these beaches very popular: "Only the wind runs here".Silent and quiet.
The beaches in José Ignacio gain tranquillity and harmony and, just like in Punta del Este, there is one beach known as Brava (Rough) and another one called Mansa (Quiet). Even though both of them display sunsets that could be described as simply magical, they are the perfect scenery.
Colonia del Sacramento
Over the Northern bank of the Río de La Plata lies the City of Colonia del Sacramento, capital of the Department of Colonia. It was Admiral Manuel Lobo, the then governor of Río de Janeiro, who founded Colonia do Sacramento towards 1680, a typical Portuguese city of the XVII century which today charms visitors from all over the world with its well-preserved architectural richness.
The pretty layout of Colonia makes a remarkable contrast with the architectural mapping shared by all cities of Spanish origin. It is precisely for its particular architecture that it has been declared World Historical Heritage.
Located 177 kilometres from Montevideo, Colonia is bordered by the Department of San José on the East and by the Department of Soriano on the North.
It features a long littoral over the Río de la Plata on the South and a stretch over the Uruguay River on the Northwest.
Due to its proximity to Buenos Aires (in Argentina), many visitors arrive in Colonia from the porteña city through the river to tour around its narrow picturesque streets covered by shiny cobblestones.
Getting lost in its historical streets, going up the lighthouse staircase, visiting its churches, its various museums and ancient houses are some activities to enjoy.
Prestigious international hotels await visitors both in the historical shell and in the new part of town to make them feel as if they were distinguished inhabitants in the days on which the Portuguese and the Spanish were disputing the strategically located city.
The bullring Real de San Carlos, today abandoned by the passing of time, is another must visit attraction at Colonia, but of course bullfighting is now only part of the past.
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