Travelling to Montevideo

About Uruguay

Uruguay (official full name in Spanish: República Oriental del, Eastern Republic of Uruguay) is a country located in the southeastern part of South America. It is bordered by Brazil to the north, by Argentina across the bank of both the Uruguay River to the west and the estuary of Río de la Plata to the southwest, and the South Atlantic Ocean to the southeast.

Montevideo, Torre Antel

Why come to Uruguay?

Uruguay has a special magic. It is a small country with vast green and natural landscapes that have given origin to its denomination of Uruguay Natural?.

The population of Uruguay amounts to 3,300,000 inhabitants and the estimated density is 17.8% inhabitant per km2. Only last year, Uruguay received approximately 2,500,000 million tourists. Therefore, it possesses a very important accessibility infrastructure and good domestic communications. Its high quality hotels have cutting-edge technology and professional organizers. With mild climate throughout the year (average temperatures ranging from 12º C in winter to 25º C in summer), in Uruguay there are no extreme temperatures. It is a different country where you can enjoy nature all year round.

There are several reasons to choose Uruguay:

It's nature

Uruguay possesses inexhaustible possibilities of natural landscapes at a few kilometers distance. In its countryside cattle ranches known as estancias?- you can enjoy rural tourism. To become part of this rural tourism means to participate in the typical countryside chores, to ride horses, to fish, to revive the traditions expressed in the Uruguayan work, gastronomy and folklore. These estancias, distributed throughout the country preserve the centenarian houses of the colonial times which will make you feel as if you had traveled to another world.

Should you prefer so, the coastal plain boasts 650 km of beaches along the Atlantic coast and the shores of the Rio de la Plata. Many of which are wild and their water freshness and golden sands are totally enjoyable, as are the several sweet water lakes, ponds and rivers you can find. Also, the potability and freshness of its waters is known as one of the best in the world.

To enjoy the beaches in full blast, we advise you to visit Punta del Este. In the last years, this city has become the most famous tourist resort in South America. Indisputably among the world?s best resorts, this cosmopolitan city combines its exceptional natural beauty with an active social life that each summer makes it the center of international high society and glamour. The beautiful oceanic beaches and sumptuous manors constitute its distinctive mark. At night, hundreds of first level discotheques, casinos and restaurants display their fascination until dawn. It also offers excellent places for playing golf, fishing and sea lions watching. Punta del Este is one of those places very hard to find and yet, harder to forget.

You can also visit Colonia del Sacramento (one and a half hour away from Montevideo), a city frozen in time. Its colonial style blends Spanish and Portuguese architecture and makes you go back in time. This true jewel of the colonial past has been declared World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

It's safety

The country has the highest safety degree in Latin America, in its broadest sense: the people are peaceful (there are no social conflicts), people are kind, and it has a specialized police force for the support of tourists. Uruguay also has a high degree of sanitary quality and no special vaccines are needed to enter the country.

It's culture

Due to its history and geography, Uruguay has always been a country for encounters. Situated in the indefinite border between the Spanish and Portuguese empires in America, it has also been open to all cultural influences, which has given origin to the hospitable character of its people.

It's gastronomy

In Uruguay you can savor cuisine with traditions of different origins. From the classical grilled beef (?parrillada?), world renowned for its particular flavor and excellent quality, to characteristic dishes of the Spanish or Italian cuisine, and a wide variety of pasta and sea food. Likewise, Uruguayan wines are outstanding.

It's simplicity

To enjoy Uruguay you will only need a pair of binoculars and a video camera so as not to miss its magnificent landscapes. In only one week you may be able of crossing the country and record the images of your encounter with nature: the countryside, the thermal springs, the beaches, both modern and colonial cities, over 450 species of birds, sea lions, horses.

Getting to Montevideo

By Plane

Airport (official name in spanish): Aeropuerto Internacional de Carrasco.
The only international airport of Uruguay

By ferry

from Buenos Aires, Argentina

The list of countries which do not need visa to enter Uruguay could be found in the following link:
http://www.mrree.gub.uy/mrree/Asuntos_Consular/paisessinvisa.htm

For further info visit:
http://www.dnm.minterior.gub.uy/html/visas.htm

For visas to enter Uruguay and further information, we recommend you consult to the nearest Uruguayan Diplomatic Offices in your country (Consulate, Embassy).