Montevideo is an interesting and beautiful city-- and it´s a great shame it remains virtually unknown to most people outside of South America...
The most development country in South America with the lowest crime rate on the continent, Uruguay deserves so much more than just a chapter in the Argentina travel guide...
Good things remain unknown to the crowds... but as an Uruguayan, I feel it is almost my civic duty to inform the world about the awesomeness of my Uruguay!
(Man drinking mate near beach. Yes, there are grass meadows ALL along the coast line! You can picknick at the sea!)
Palacio Salvo
Typical Montevideo Rambla sunset
So, if you are looking for:
Impressive architecture
Great beaches within walking distance of the city center
Street art
Free exercise facilities on a very impressive boulevard
Friendly and warm people
Excellent wine and beautiful food
Lamb chops at Dueto Cocina Urbana (dueto.com.uy)
Urban exploring
and great weather, and a ton of culture?
Well then, Montevideo might just be that unknown, subtropical unknown Latin American paradise you are looking for.
The architecture is stunning (Montevideo boasts more Art Deco architecture than Havana!) and the city is easy to explore by foot and public transport.
Definitely do not miss La Rambla-- a recently modernized, 20+ mile boulevard outlining the Southern coast of Montevideo. At any time of the day you can find locals drinking mate and having fun while watching ships sail into the horizon.
The Rambla is not just beaches and concrete, it is also an a green grassy calm pick-nick destination. Yes, that´s right, park style grass right next to the ocean.
Restaurants and bars dot the Rambla from East to West. The sunsets are always fascinating, no matter what the weather forecast says. If you look for it, you will find ¨Castillo Pittamiglio¨ an eccentric building along the Rambla built by Uruguay´s most famous alchemist...
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One should visit the Prado neighborhood, known for its ubiquitous lanes full of large trees and stately old mansions. Here you will find the presidential palace, the Prado Museum, the botanical gardens and the Soneira castle. El Prado boasts one of Montevideo´s nicest parks, parque el Prado.
If you plan on seeing the Palacio Legislativo, make sure to check out the Mercado Agricola Montevideo (a recently restored farmers market) and el Barrio Reus (a colorful picture perfect little neighborhood).
Barrio Reus
If you are Instagram street-photographer type looking for urban landscapes-- graffiti, abandoned buildings and an intriguing harbor, plan a day trip on the harbor side of the Rambla. Walk from Mercado del Puerto up along the Rambla all the way to Bellavista. Definitely an adventurous picture walk.
Abandoned ships
For the clubbing and bar crowd:, go to the bars located Juan D. Jackson and Bulevard España (Parque Rodo area). Once can also find many bars in Pocitos, on Luis. A de Herrara. The real Montevideo nightlife is underground. Seek (hint: facebook) and you shall find. Do not expect much nightlife in the months January and February, as most Uruguayans will be on vacation.
The food and bar scene has massively improved over the past years. Montevideo now offers fancy salads with flowers, gluten free vegan pastries, artisan bread, vegetarian options, the best Italian food outside of Italy (sorry Argentina!) and of course all the international cuisines (Japanese, Indian, Venezuelan, Armenian, Lebanese, etc. etc.) we all can´t live without. Some might be more tempted going on wine tasting tours just an hour from the city... And like any modern city, Montevideo now houses various beer gardens offering its patrons the finest micro-brewed beers in Uruguay. Did I forget to mention Uruguayan beef is among the best in the world, and that the ¨Chivito¨ is King of exquisite steak sandwiches?
Chivito!
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