Hey all, I am new to the forum, so I guess a grand hello is in order...
I was exploring the site a bit, as well as the forums and haven't seen much info about Uruguay. I just spent 3 months there and had the time of my life. Was just wondering if anyone else has spent any time in the little country to our south drinking mate and wandering the streets of Montevideo.
If you're considering going to South America you most likely will be thinking either Brazil or Argentina but I encourage you to take the hop skip and jump over to Uruguay and soak up some sun at Punta del Diablo, NOT Punta del Este, especially if you're looking for a more laid-back bohemian atmosphere. Pretty much anywhere in the province of Rocha is going to be breath-taking.
yeah, rj needs a uraguay guide. How much would it cost to travel there? I've heard it's a very nice place...
I always hear good things about Uruguay. I hear the women look a lot like Argentine girls but not as hard to put up with. I think I'm deffinitely going to have to check it out on my way to Argentina from Brazil.
I'm curious about it myself. Is the currency as cheap (relatively) as the ARS peso now? I might hop over to Montevideo for a few days or week to check it out.
So I haven't been around a computer for ages and just found that some people were actually interested in Uruguay. Sweet!
I didn't travel extensively in the country so much as live in a small town and occasionally venture about, so I (unfortunately) don't know very much about the adventure travel industry (sorry).
Montevideo, the capital, is a wonderful city, especially in the old areas which are starting to be rejuvenated. Uruguayans will always tell you about how much crime there used to be (and still is) in Montevideo, but compared to Buenos Aires, Montevideo is a piece of cake (crime still happens though, so use common sense). In fact, compared to Buenos Aires, Montevideo is a laid-back, chill place to be. Like Argentina they party all night and sleep all day, but the culture is a bit less image conscious and the people quite a bit friendlier. Never say that Uruguayans are the same as Argentinians. This is akin to saying a Canadian is an American. People get very insulted and probably won't like you very much. If someone asks you where the Tango was invented, say Montevideo, not Buenos Aires, even though you don't care. Montevideo is best experienced with locals, so do your best to couchsurf or meet some Uruguayans who can show you the best places to go, hang out with you in the parks or by the water, and help you figure out the bus system (its confusing).
Other places worth visiting are, as I mentioned above, Punta Del Diablo in the eastern province of Rocha. Make sure you do not go in January because all of Uruguay is on vacation for the month and the beaches will be packed. That said, if you like the good old beach party atmosphere, head to Punta del Diablo or La Paloma, also in Rocha during January. Party you will my friends! If I might suggest, hitting up one of the beach towns further west along the Rio de la Plata (such as Kiyu) is great for the tired traveler looking for deserted beaches and the most relaxed atmosphere around. In the west of the country there are a bunch of picturesque towns, especially along the Uruguay/Argentina border like Paysandu (known for its gourd making) and Salto. Of particular interest is Colonia del Sacramento which is an absolutely breathtaking little town that has been classified a UNESCO world heritage site.
Uruguay isn't really a tourist destination for people who aren't either Brazilian or Argentinian, especially if you venture outside of Montevideo and the tourist beaches. Expect to be stared at and have children point at you. Older people will probably be distrustful of you (one old lady accused me of being out to get her grandson one time, and asked me why I was so strange looking) but the younger generation is very well connected and will want to talk to you just because you're foreign. Most Uruguayans speak basic English but would prefer not to use it, so Spanish is a must if you want to meet people or go anywhere that isn't Montevideo/Punta Del Este (but I wouldn't go to Punta del Este anyways...). If you make Uruguayan friends, they will be your friends forever. Count on it.
The currency is cheaper than the ARS and generally goes a bit further. Remember the 20 peso rule (although this does fluctuate): 20 pesos is 1 dollar. One can buy a pretty decent chivito (Uruguayan hybrid of a hamburger and sandwhich that I suggest trying, but only if you are VERY hungry). Do not be fooled by the "Chivito Canadiense"... there is nothing Canadian about it and it will give you a stomach ache for days. Lodging is not quite so cheap; paying 200-400 ($10-$20) pesos a night in a youth hostel in Montevideo is not uncommon. Beer is cheap though, so enjoy.
Uruguayan girls are known for being beautiful and down to earth, Uruguayan guys are known for being the worst dancers in Latin America. Take from that what you will.
Like in Argentina, Uruguayans drink mate, but it is more prevalent, especially on the street. Groups of friends bring a mate with them and serve it with hot water from a thermus. Read the Argentina guide on the site for a good idea about mate. Its polite to try, even though you won't like it at first, but if you keep drinking it will grow on you. The food is pretty good, though somewhat bland as spice is nowhere to be found. Buying bizochos (little pastries) in the morning from a panaderia (bread shop) is always a must, and its a cheap way to start the day.
Anyways I ended up writing more than I thought I would here. Hopefully if you go, you become friends with some locals and get to talk politics. That's when things get interesting.
Que pasen lindo!