Tips and Recommendations for Uruguay

Quick access to the chapters

    Generalities
      Guide Book
    Colonia
      Visiting
      Sleeping
      Eating
    Montevideo
      Visiting
      Sleeping
    Punta del Este
      Visiting
      Sleeping
      Eating / Drinking

Generalities

Uruguay is squashed between the two giants of South America: Brazil and Argentina. Although it might seem small on a map, a few European countries fit "inside" Uruguay: England, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium (from memory). At the end of the day, that means the Uruguayans have a little complex of inferiority with Brazilians and Argentineans ... in particular, when, in summer, the country (and more specifically Punta del Este) gets "invaded" by Argentineans on holidays.
This country really looks and feels like Argentina ... but is still slightly different and enjoyable enough to be worth a visit. I quite liked my three stops !
Note
All prices are in pesos (which currency symbol is $) except specified otherwise.

Guide Book

For all South America, I used the Lonely Planet South America. Although some people find it a bit too directing, it is still a good book. However, the version I had (8th edition - Jan 2002) was getting old (particularly about Argentina as it was written before the currency devaluation).

Colonia

Just across the river (still a one hour journey) from Buenos Aires, that's a nice place to relax: good restaurants, a few bars, relax life. It's a really enjoyable place to get a break from the frantic of Buenos Aires.
If you haven't guessed yet: that's my favourite place in Uruguay.

Visiting

The old centre with all its different tiny museums, is really worth a visit: the walking tour from the Lonely Planet is an efficient way of seeing everything.
If you're staying at the Hostel Colonial, grab a bike and go down to the beach and to the old plaza de torros too. It's an enjoyable bike ride anyway.

Sleeping

My Favourite: Hotel Colonial
Av. General Flores 440 Tel: 052 28151
E-mail: barlocel@adinet.com.uy
A great hostel: really friendly staff and owners, free bike rental, free internet, clean ... and on the top of that, most of people will get their own room: they will ask you whether you want to share. A really great place ... and cheap ! The only downside: breakfast is not included but you can buy it at the bar / ice-cream shop next door (actually communicating doors).

Eating

Plenty of restaurants and a few bars to choose from ... but I forgot to write down the ones I liked !
You will have to explore the area to find the good deals by your-self: enjoy !

Montevideo

Half of the population of the country leaves here ... no wonder all the Uruguayans I've met (all, in Punta del Este) were from Montevideo. That's a great city ... but coming from Buenos Aires, it suffer the comparison, as there are some nice buildings but not all well maintained.
This is supposed to be great place for going out too ... but coming from Buenos Aires, I was a bit burned out and as I had no partying buddy, I did not go out ... for a change ! !
One of the main interest for people to go to Montevideo in summer, is to take the boat to/from Buenos Aires (3 hours on a quick boat) to reach Punta del Este.

Visiting

A little stroll around the town, and then along the port is well enough to give you the sense of what's the city like. I am not a big fan, but there are a few nice things. However, I didn't stay long there, may be there's more to it than I saw.
The Lonely Planet will point out the main buildings and places to go and see.

Sleeping

Albergue Juvenil
Canelones 935 Tel: 02 908.1324
This is the headquarter of Hostel International (YHA) for Uruguay. Great hostel, right in the centre, they will help you to enjoy your stay in Montevideo.
They can also book other HI in Uruguay (at no charge) and it's worth doing it for Punta del Este.

Punta del Este

This is THE place to go in January in this part of the world: really glamorous ! ! I had a lot of fun there but mainly because I ended in a great hostel meeting fantastic people ... and speaking Spanish all the time (the only English speaking person left the day I arrived).

Visiting

Of course, you come here for the beaches ... and they are quite great but could be crowded (depending which ones you chose) but that's part of the fun ... apparently !
A few kilometres east of Punta (20 min drive), there is a little cute village with really nice beaches. We went down there a few times and that's a really cool place.

Sleeping

THE BEST: Alberge de Manantiales
in Manantiales Tel: 042 714 427
It's an H.I. off the main road, 5 min walk on a dirt track: it could be a bit difficult to find but it's worth it. A really nice setting, 7 min away from the first beaches. Going down to the main places for going out, could be difficult without a car ... but that's a really cool place, and there are buses. I loved it and I met some great people there.
Hotel Majorca
Tel: 042 241 461 or 240 928
A backup, in case Manantiales is full. It's more expensive and I didn't go there.
Hostal El Castillo
on Inzaúrraga (31) between El Remanso (20) and Baupres (18)
Cel: 09 409799
E-mail: reserves@elcastillo.com.uy
That's the H.I. in town, it's always fully booked and I was told, it's not nice at all ... better stay at Manantiales ... except if you want to be at the heart of the parties. But you will need a car to go to some of the clubs and bars further away, anyway !

Eating / Drinking

There are a lot of places and I didn't write down my favourite at the time.
Restaurant next to the river
There is a nice restaurant next to the funny round bridge just outside of the centre of Punta. It's by the river, and they have live music regularly (even a mini Jazz festival in January). A great place with great food and great waiters.
Moby Dick
Ramblas Artigas between Viraón (12) and 2 de Febrero (10)
Next to the port, a nice pub with live music where everybody end up dancing. A classic, with the neighbouring still not as good.
Clubbing
There are a few big clubs ... but I don't remember the names.
Quite a few nice bars and clubs in La Barra: the neighbourhood outside the centre of Punta del Este (close to Manantiales).