Southeastern Uruguay is a relatively small country in South America. It is located near the Argentinian city of Buenos Aires, on the Atlantic Ocean. This land of the ‘gauchos’ is known for the delicious chunks of meat that are more often than not prepared on a wood-fired barbecue. In addition to an overwhelmingly beautiful nature, Uruguay also has wonderful beaches and nice cities that are definitely worth a recommendation. The capital Montevideo, for example, is very popular for its beautiful beach, good restaurants and varied architecture. But places such as Colonia del Sacramento, Punta del Diablo, Salto, Cabo Polonio, the chic Punta del Este and the industrial city of Fray Bentos also deserve a visit. What many people don’t know, is that Uruguay ranks high in the ranks of the largest wine producer in South America. Especially the south and east side of Uruguay have a lot of wineries. A common grape variety is the blue Tannat. Between the countries of Brazil and Argentina, Uruguay is easily overlooked. However, the list below shows that this is completely unjustified. Check topmbadirectory for how to get to Uruguay.
Top 10 sights of Uruguay
#1. Montevideo
The capital of Uruguay is an excellent starting point for a tour through Uruguay or South America. The city has a historic center (Ciudad Vieja) where you will encounter many different architecture, monuments and symbols of the city. There are many beautiful places to discover, especially around Plaze Independencia, Avenida 18 de Julio and in the vicinity of the port. Most of the sights visited in Montevideo are: Estadio Centenario, Palacio Municipal, Mercado del Puerto, Palacio Legislativo, Palacio Salvo and Playa Pocitos. You then end the day with a walk on the Rambla, where you slowly watch the sun sink into the sea.
#2. Colonia del Sacramento
With a walk through the beautiful Colonia del Sacramento, you quickly become aware of the Portuguese influences. Colonia del Sacramento was founded around 1680 by the Portuguese. It is the oldest city in Uruguay and therefore it has a lot of culture and history to offer. The most valuable parts of the city are now on the list of Unesco’s World Heritage Sites. Much of the center and the city wall were restored at the end of the twentieth century. The most beautiful are the Santíssimo Sacramento Basilica from the seventeenth century and the museum ‘Museo Portugués’. There are also very nice creative shops and you can climb the lighthouse. Check simplyyellowpages for mass media and culture of Uruguay.
#3. Punta del Este
The peninsula of Punte del Este, is a nice tourist destination in Uruguay. Punte del Este has many luxury yachts, chic hotels and resorts that attract tourists and locals who have a summer home there. The Playa El Emir beach and La Bara are well visited during the day. And when the evening falls, there are mainly young people to be seen. The city itself is characterized by many high-rise buildings and modern buildings that increasingly push back the original colonial architecture. Most shops are located around Avenida Gorlero. Here you will also find nice restaurants and casinos.
#4. Casapueblo
Not very often a hotel is described as a place of interest. The Casapueblo hotel in Punta Ballena is such a hotel. The complex was originally built as the living and working quarters of artist Carlos Páez Vilaró. He himself is responsible for the design and implementation, which took up no less than thirty-six years of his life. Finally, Páez Vilaró passed away in 2014. Casapueblo is now a large white complex containing an art gallery, a museum about Carlos Páez Vilaró, a restaurant and therefore a hotel.
#5. Punta del Diablo
The village of Punta del Diablo is a quiet village near the Brazilian border. The village of Punta del Diablo is mainly visited by water sports enthusiasts, hikers, bird watchers and peace seekers. For example, the area is very suitable for taking beautiful walks, surfing or just enjoying the peace. The most popular beaches are Playa Los Botos and La Viuda. Culture seekers can visit Fortaleza de Santa Teresa and hikers will probably appreciate a park like Parque Nacional Santa Teresa.
#6. National Park Santa Teresa
The beautiful green park ‘Parque Nacional Santa Teresa’ is located north of Punta del Diablo. The park is used as a recreation area, by the army to land planes and as a nature park. In the Santa Teresa park you can discover a variety of plant species, herbs and animals. But the beaches and dunes are also appreciated. The eighteenth century fortress on the hill is now a museum.
#7. Monumento al Ahogado
Some people will be surprised when they enter the Playa Brava beach in Punta del Este. From a distance you can recognize four fingertips and a thumb that protrude meters high above the sand. However, this is a sculpture ‘Mano de Punte del Este’ by the Chilean artist Mario Irarrázabal. His idea was presented in 1982 during a competition for modern outdoor sculpture. It depicts the hand of someone who is drowning. Hence the name Monumento al Aohogado ‘Monument to the Drowned’. Now today Mano de Punte del Este is a symbol of the city of Punta del Este and one of the most photographed structures.
#8. Isla de Lobos
The small rocky island of Isla de Lobos is located less than ten kilometers off the coast of Uruguay. More precisely, south-east of the Punta del Este peninsula. The name ‘island of the wolves’ comes from the fact that a wolf colony existed on Isla de Lobos until 1992. Isla de Lobos has about forty-one hectares and has had its own lighthouse since 1906. There is not much to do on the former wolf island. Since these animals have disappeared, it has mainly become a nature reserve where sea lions and birds like to stay.
#9. José Ignacio
The former fishing village of José Ignacio is nowadays mainly a place where people want to be seen. The place has been a household name in the fashion scene for several years and among people who like to be among the jet set. It is therefore inevitable that you can find very luxurious accommodations here for those who have a little more than average to spend. It is therefore no longer possible to speak of a quiet fishing village. Late lunches and midnight dinners have now become a way of life here. And when the music plays a little louder, a party starts automatically.
#10. Laguna del Sauce
Just fifteen kilometers from Punta del Este lies the beautiful Laguna del Sauce. The freshwater lagoon is between six and fourteen meters deep. The Lagune del Sauce is often visited by surfers, canoeists and fishermen. Motor-driven boats are not allowed, so there is usually peace and quiet. The nudist beach Playa Chihuahua is also located nearby.
