Montevideo Uruguay Tourism & Travel Information Hotels Tours Airport Transfers

Montevideo					Uruguay

Montevideo Travel Information

Montevideo

Montevideo is the capital of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, located along the peninsular area of the Río de la Plata. (see Map). It is the greatest urban, commercial, industrial and cultural center in the country, with wide streets, parks an important port and modern buildings. (see Photos).

Montevideo has a coastal area, with white sand beaches and renovated building infrastructure, completely integrated to the downtown area. Parallel to the coast, there is a wide avenue calle.

Montevideo shows the traces of its first settlement in the Ciudad Vieja (Old City), where the treasures of the Colonial period are featured. Near to the docks of Montevideo Bay, you can find the Mercado del Puerto (Port Market), a place that gathers food stores. (see customers reviews).

Montevideo offers a wide range of cultural activities and traditions. One of the main events is the Carnival, which takes place during the month of February and the first week of March. Here, there is a combination of murga and candombe, rhythms inherited from the African black people brought to these lands as slaves during colonization.

Hotels in Montevideo

Hotels in Montevideo encompass a wide range of prices, including all categories and services. In general, they are located in the downtown area and near the coastline.

Montevideo also offers hostels, more modest and at lower prices, which are managed by their owners.

Tours in Montevideo

Tours in Montevideo offer sightseeing around the city, visiting colonial buildings and the most characteristic neighborhoods, enjoying the sun and beaches, and sharing its typical festivals.

The typical tour starts in the Ciudad Vieja (Old City), heading to the Mercado del Puerto (Port Market), the Microcentro (Financial District), the Plaza Independencia (Independence Square), the Legislative Palace, the romantic neighborhood of El Prado, the Cerro de Montevideo and the elegant neighborhoods of Carrasco and Pocitos, finally arriving at La Rambla.

Montevideo has 30 Km. (18 mi) of shores with fine, white sands and calm waters. From Ramírez Beach (in the east) to Carrasco, all tourist services are available. The favorite beach for youngsters is Pocitos Beach, where soccer football, volleyball and water sports championships take place.

Montevideo maintains a centennial tradition: the organization of fairs (real medieval markets) in Villa Biarritz and Tristán Narvaja, where all kinds of objects and services can be sold, bought or exchanged; and where street artists offer performances

Apart from the Carnival, in Montevideo “las llamadas” (“calls”) are famous; these are colorful and massive parades carried out along the streets of the neighborhoods Sur and Palermo, traditional dwelling of Afro-American descendants in Uruguay.

An interesting tour consists in visiting Colonia del Sacramento, 178 Km. (110 mi.) to the west of Montevideo. This 17th century city has been declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO for the excellent conservation of its architecture. The tour includes visiting the Spanish and Portuguese museums, the Port Area, the Plaza de Ferrando (Ferrando Square) and the Forest Reserve, the riverside path, until reaching Real de San Carlos, where the old Plaza de Toros (Bullring) is located.

Another tour you cannot miss is the visit to Punta del Este, 140 Km. (87 mi.) to the east of Montevideo. This city is known for the beauty of its vast beaches to enjoy the sea and the sun, or practice a wide range of recreational activities.

Airport Transfer and Car Rental in Montevideo

The service of Car Rental in Montevideo can be hired at the airport or downtown, where the main international -and some local- rentals have their offices.

Carrasco International Airport is located 20 Km. (12.5 mi.) away from downtown Montevideo. It offers connections to Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, as well as non-stop flights to the United States and Europe. From there, visitors can make use of bus or taxi services to travel downtown or to hotels.

Access by river is possible through the port of Montevideo on ferries (Buquebus) connecting Buenos Aires and Montevideo, offering a daily frequency of four trips; they also enable car transportation. (see Packages)

Bus transportation has its main node at Terminal Tres Cruces (Tres Cruces Station) of Montevideo. There are several companies that offer daily connections to the main cities of Uruguay and bordering countries, such as Argentina and Brazil. Outside, the station provides taxi and remís (car with driver) services.

Montevideo provides a good service of local buses so that visitors can travel through the neighborhoods and beaches. All along the main thoroughfares there are stops, for both taxis and buses. A visit to the Ciudad Vieja (Old City) to enjoy the historic atmosphere is highly recommended.

Tourist Information in Montevideo

Tourist Information in Montevideo can be obtained in the offices located at Plaza Cagancha, Tel: 908 9105; at 1409 Avenida Libertador; at Tres Cruces Bus Station and at the Tourist Information Center. Parada 24, of Playa La Mansa, Tel: 230 050.

Booking hotels in Montevideo in advance during the Summer and Carnival season is advisable.