Uruguay Sightseeing
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Uruguay is an excellent holiday destination for visitors who enjoy sightseeing, offering a plethora of attractions that might be deemed eye-candy or worthy photo album material. Colonia and Montevideo are generally considered the best places to head for interesting visual material, both of them offering striking landmarks and old buildings of historic importance. Punta del Este often gets dismissed as just a beach destination but it has its fair share of interesting sights also.
Colonia del Sacramento Often referred to just as Colonia (although not to be confused with the department of the same name of which it is the capital), this popular visitor destination is the legacy of a Portuguese settlement dating back to 1680. The city is awash with fascinating historical sights, with its old quarter, Barrío Historico, boasting UNESCO World Heritage status and featuring beautiful old buildings and traditional cobblestone streets. The old gate to the city is a must-see, as is the lighthouse (El Faro) at Saint Pedro’s Point.
Montevideo Uruguay’s capital is a bustling metropolis which houses close to 50% of the country’s population. The city is an eclectic mix of modern amenities and conveniences, with well-preserved old buildings and landmarks. The Old Town or Ciudad Vieja, is the place to go to find the latter, with plenty of eye-catching 18th century buildings to please architecture lovers. Sights to go in search of include the Plaza Independecia (Independence Square) and the neighbouring Palacio Salvo as well as the old gate to the city known as Puerta de la Ciudadela. There are some interesting museums and art galleries on hand also for days when the weather precludes outdoor activity. A great place to centre yourself is at the five-star Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza Hotel.
Punta del Este
Beach lovers flock to Punta del Este for its golden sands and vibrant blue sea waters as well as its stunning coastal scenery. Often referred to as South America’s version of St Tropez, Punta del Este attracts plenty of affluent visitors as well as its fair share of famous ones. Among the best hotel to book is the five-star Jean Clevers Hotel. Among the places to visit on daytrips from the city are the islands of Isla Gorriti and Isla de los Lobos. For sightseeing, be sure to check out the church of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, the famous landmark that is La Mano, the Museo del Mar (Museum of the Sea) and the Casa Pueblo museum.
Piriápolis Before Punta del Este gained a name for itself as a beach resort, Piriápolis was already known to a select few as one of the country’s most scenic coastal destinations. These days it still maintains a relatively low-key profile, making it the ideal destination to head for if you are looking for a little peace and tranquillity and an absence of the holiday masses of Punta del Este. The town has some a variety of interesting sights in both the natural and man-made categories; highlights include: Estación de Cría de Fauna Autóctona (a nature reserve that’s home to a vast selection of wildlife), Cerro Pan de Azúcar (the area’s third highest hill) and Castillo de Piria (the former private residence of Francisco Piria).
Tacuarembó
Tacuarembó is a town located in the north-central area of the country. It’s often overlooked by tourists in favour of the larger selection of attractions at Colonia or in the capital, but for those who make the effort to visit it, the sights and the experiences it offers are definitely rewarding. The San Fructuoso cathedral, which dates back to 1899, is among the city’s most notable sights, while the three town squares of Plaza Colón, Plaza 19 de Abril and Plaza Bernabe Rivera, are also well worth a visit. Museum lovers should check out the Museo de Geociencias and the Museo del Indio y del Gaucho (Museum of Indian and Gaucho).
Tacuarembó is a town located in the north-central area of the country. It’s often overlooked by tourists in favour of the larger selection of attractions at Colonia or in the capital, but for those who make the effort to visit it, the sights and the experiences it offers are definitely rewarding. The San Fructuoso cathedral, which dates back to 1899, is among the city’s most notable sights, while the three town squares of Plaza Colón, Plaza 19 de Abril and Plaza Bernabe Rivera, are also well worth a visit. Museum lovers should check out the Museo de Geociencias and the Museo del Indio y del Gaucho (Museum of Indian and Gaucho).
Dance the Tango in Tacuarembó. Tacuarembó is the birthplace of Carlos Gardel, the man said to have been responsible for bringing the tango as a style of song and dance to the world. Head for the town in June and you can catch the Festival of the Tango Culture, a week-long affair in which you’ll get more than your fair share of opportunities to enjoy all aspects of this lively Latin creation.
Do the Montevideo Mardi Gras. Las Llamadas is the annual carnival in Uruguay’s capital and the biggest event of its kind in the country. Make the effort to attend and you’ll see Uruguayans at their most jovial as the streets become filled with parades and entertainers and fun-seeking carnival goers.
Experience Uruguay’s finest sun, sand and sea resort. Punta del Este is unquestionably the country’s best beach city, offering the best of both natural scenery and tourist amenities. Spend long lazy days on golden sands or energetic ones enjoying the delights of cool blue ocean waters. In the evening head for dinner at any of a wealth of great restaurants, before heading off in search of some late night entertainment at discos or live music venues across the resort.
Go boating on the St Lucia River.Uruguayan’s love boating and visitors can get in on the action during their holiday if they head to Santiago Vazquez near Montevideo. This popular destination on the St Lucia River offers both sailing and motorboats for hire and is the ideal place to enjoy a sunny summer’s afternoon.
Treat yourself to some local brew. We’re actually not talking about alcohol here as the locals are far fonder of their traditional tea than they are of anything made in a distillery. Yerba mate is the bitter tea beverage that Uruguayans drink with a passion that might make one think it’s addictive in some way, although this is apparently not the case. Get yourself invited to join some locals and you’ll get to experience the whole ritual from the brewing process through to the tea’s consumption in traditional gourds with bombilla filter straws.
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