Uruguay Tourism

Uruguay
Uruguay Tourism
By Gregory Sica
Jul 12, 2005, 22:21

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Photo by Madeex
Uruguay, a tiny country in South America, virtually unknown around the world is full of surprises for tourists keen to visit new lands. Uruguay has a lot to offer, including a pleasant lifestyle, beautiful beaches, friendly people, and lots of entertainment.

The number of tourists visiting Uruguay is on the increase after a lapse over the last five years where the crisis in neighbouring Argentina had a negative effect on tourism.

People from Argentina and Brazil make up the bulk of Uruguay’s tourist trade, but over the last few years there has been an increase in the number of tourists from other countries as well. Rodrigo Pinto, the manager of ‘Azul’ travel agency in Montevideo says:

“Many people are visiting from other countries in South America and the U.S.A as well as an increasing number from other countries like England, Germany, Spain, parts of Asia and Australia”.

Why? Because people are not only interested in visiting South America for the beautiful scenery in countries like Peru, Brazil and Chile but they’re also wanting to have relaxing trips that may include staying at a beach resort for the Summer or navigating through a lively country that has rarely had the popularity that it deserves.

Rodrigo explains: “The most popular places amongst tourists are Punta del Este, Piriapolis, Colonia and Montevideo. When in Montevideo tourists usually focus on the Ciudad Vieja, as it is a very interesting part of the city”.

Tourists are recommended to visit many popular tourist spots that are spread all around this tiny country that is 187,000 square kilometres in area.

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Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay contains many important landmarks. The Ciudad Vieja that is located in the city centre of Montevideo is very popular amongst tourists as the architecture of most buildings gives visitors an idea of how Uruguay looked in the colonial days.

“I think the Cuidad Vieja is very popular amongst tourists because it is the only part of Montevideo that keeps its colonial identity. The structure of this part of the city is very antique and tourists love to walk around the place observing the huge monuments and buildings,” Rodrigo explains.

Alex Murphy, an American studying in Uruguay describes what he most likes about the Ciudad Vieja, saying: “I love its resemblance of Uruguay’s past. During the day you can walk around for hours just staring at the marvellous buildings or at the brilliant street performers, and at night somehow the whole place changes into a nightclubbing zone. This part of the city is really entertaining and I recommend it to any tourists”.

In respect of the night-life the Ciudad Vieja is also the place to be. This part of the city attracts most tourists looking to enjoy a great night of entertainment. The area offers great restaurants, pubs, and many nightclubs, as well as many clubs that are solely dedicated to playing live tango, that are especially enjoyed by an older crowd from forty years upwards.

For a better view of a town that still keeps its colonial identity today Colonia is the place to visit. This is a resort that has not had much further development since the colonial days.

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The population in Montevideo just exceeds 1.4 million. Montevideo is very clean, something that Rodrigo believes is a turn on for tourists. “Tourists often highlight the fact that Montevideo is a very clean city when compared to others. Many tourists come here for a few days after visiting much bigger cities like those in Brazil, Argentina and Chile, and especially like the fact that it is well maintained and almost pollution free. Due to this they often come back to visit,” he says.

Beach resorts are also very popular amongst tourists, especially those in Punta del Este and Piriapolis that are recognised as some of the best in the world. These resorts have mainly been visited by Argentine and Brazilian tourists over the years, but due to their excellent beaches and hotels they are becoming increasingly popular amongst Europeans, Americans and Australians.

Punta del Este is a vacation spot that is usually invaded by wealthy Argentine tourists during the Summer months who are keen to get away and relax on the beaches, use the pools and sporting facilities, whether that be golf or tennis, or dine in the luxury restaurants.

The Conrad, the most luxurious hotel on the resort includes a magnificent casino that is very popular amongst residents as well as containing a ‘posh’ nightclub and bars that are renowned around the continent for entertaining some of the most famous people in South America.

Rodrigo confirms the Conrad’s popularity, adding: “The Conrad is the first choice hotel in Uruguay for many celebrities in South America. Every year famous singers, television personalities and sports stars stay at the Conrad as it is the most well known hotel in Uruguay as it its widely advertised throughout the continent for being the main reference of a luxury five star hotel”.

Tourists are recommended to go on various tours and excursions which include many activities such as sight seeing, visiting the shopping centres, the markets, the zoo, and the fabulous museums. Casa del Pueblo is a must for tourists, this is a gigantic Mediterranean style mansion, once owned by Carlos Paez, a famous Uruguayan artist. Today it is both a hotel and art museum that attracts people from all over the world.

Some other attractions include the neo-Classic Cathedral San Fernando, El Faro de Punta del Este (a historical lighthouse), Cuartel de Dragones (the military headquarters) and Isla Gorriti and Isla de Lobos, two fascinating islands that are famous for their sea-lion colonies, ancient ruins, and of-course magnificent beaches.

Tourists should visit Punta del Este during the Summer months to make the most of the wonderful white sandy beaches, and the many other attractions that are better appreciated with the hot weather. In the off-season Punta del Este is much more relaxed like are most resorts, but can still be a lot of fun to people who are looking to have a peaceful holiday with no problems finding accommodation, or need for rushing.

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If looking for relaxation Piriapolis will be the preferred choice all year round. This is a seaside resort that is similar to Punta del Este, but has only recently become a popular destination for overseas tourists. Another advantage of Piriapolis is that it is much closer to Montevideo and accommodation and activities are much cheaper than Punta del Este.

Most tourists choose to visit the beautiful beaches, but there is a lot more to offer such as lively nightclubs, the casino, horse racing, museums, wildlife parks, thermal baths, as well as stunning restaurants.

Tourists ought to go on a professional tour of Piriapolis that includes visits to the port, the breathtaking waterfalls in Minas, as well as the various museums and famous landmarks.

A very popular tourist spot in Uruguay is Colonia del Sacramento. This is a colonial town that has not really had any changes and development since it was colonised back in 1680 by the Portuguese. Colonia includes many fine restaurants, museums and craft shops, as well as the huge harbour that divides Uruguay from neighbouring Argentina.

This small town is especially appreciated by tourists because of its stone houses and streets that are kept in the same way as they were 300 years ago. Even today the locals don’t see any need to modernise the town and try to live in the same way as in the colonial days, although the town is now one of Uruguay’s main tourist attractions.

“Tourists who prefer some adventure enjoy Colonia, as the town resembles an antique Uruguay and I am often told that there isn’t really any place like it around the world. It sort of makes visitors feel that they are living in the past for a day or two," Rodrigo says.

Alex describes why he enjoyed Colonia: “Well what can I say, it is definitely the most interesting place I have ever been, especially because people actually still live in the town. It’s more like a place set up for a movie that tries to retell the past. Spending the weekend in Colonia was truly amazing”.

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Photo by Madeex

Tourists should also visit the Gold Coast and the Uruguayan Riviera whilst in Uruguay. This tiny nation gives tourists many options when it comes to coastal lifestyles, as the country is surrounded by beautiful beaches and rivers.

Tourists have often chosen to stay at the Punta del Este resort for just a few weeks and then travel to the less expensive resorts to spend the rest of their Summer. These resorts are equally good, but just don’t have as much publicity.

They include Maldonado, Artigas, Rocha and La Paloma. These resorts contain almost everything Punta del Este has to offer to tourists, such as great hotels, restaurants, pubs, sporting facilities and pools, as well as lively nightlife. Due to this all parts of the Uruguayan Riviera attract large amounts of tourists and the beaches are amongst the most popular in South America along with those in Rio de Janeiro, and Florianapolis in neighbouring Brazil.

If looking to have a fun, relaxing holiday Uruguay is a very good option. This country has a lot to offer to the potential visitor whether it be the magnificent beaches in Punta del Este and Piriapolis, the ancient towns and cities in Montevideo and Colonia, or just the pleasant lifestyle evident throughout the country.

Recent interest has increased the number of tourists visiting this part of the world, and the pleasant lifestyle and climate combine to make Uruguay a desirable destination. Tourists should choose to visit Uruguay during the Summer months as with the hot weather they will be able to enjoy everything that Uruguay provides to the maximum.