URUGUAY Y MONTEVIDEO

Uruguay Information & Tours

Uruguay Uruguay is a privileged country in the world, mostly due to its low levels of environmental contamination and to its unusual preservation of Nature. Surroundedby the vast territories of Argentina and Brazil, by enormous rivers and by the Atlantic Ocean, Uruguay is the sole South American country entirely located in the temperate region.
Annual median temperature is 17 degrees Celsius. In late spring (November) the temperature is about 23° degrees Celsius. The geography of Uruguay has a profusion of coastlines, rivers and streams, with many waterfronts and beaches of unusual beauty.Spanish is spoken by its 3.000.000 inhabitants throughout its total territorial surface of 176.251 km².
Flora and Fauna
In the Department of Rocha, the Eastern Wetlands include almost 2,000 hectares of marshes, swamps, lagoons, rivers and streams in a vast ecosystem inhabited by over 400 species of birds. UNESCO has declared this privileged area a Biosphere Reserve. The butia palm has been there for over three hundred years, covering more than 70,000 hectares.
Isla de Lobos (Sea lion’s Island), located in the Atlantic Ocean facing "Punta del Este", houses one of the largest colonies of Sea lions in the world; it has been declared world’s patrimony.

Traditions and Folklore
Culture and traditions have been jealously preserved in Uruguay. Here, the gaucho, the rural man who rode on horseback alongside the herds of cattle, is always present.
Music
Autochthonous music styles in Uruguay are: the world famous Tango, which is also popular in Argentina and is known as the "Río de la Plata" music; the Candombe, brought to Uruguay by African slaves and the "Folklore" or "Música criolla" (Country music) born in the vast and lonely countryside and played by the gauchos.

Beaches and Seashores
Uruguay has almost 500 km of beaches, being unique by their vast areas of white sand, clear and pure water and almost untouched natural woodlands. The most famous resort by the sea is called Punta del Este a cosmopolite town located 130 km east from Montevideo. Placed in a peninsula deeply insinuated in the sea, Punta del Este has oceanic waves on one side and calm waters on the other. Magnificent villas and beautiful gardens therein amalgamate with woodlands. Punta del Este is also the center of many international sport competitions and spectacles.

Piriapolis, the second seashore resort, 100 km. far east from Montevideo, grew around a great bay surrounded by rocky hills. Many of its beautiful villas and hotels have been conceived during the "belle époque", giving Piriapolis a serene beauty, which evokes the Côte d’Azur.Some of the hillsides preserve its wilderness. One of them, the Pan de Azúcar Hill (Sugar Loaf) lodges a national reservation for native animal and plant species.
The Costa de Oro (Golden Cost)starting 20 km east far from Montevideo, has little villages immersed in pine woodlands, where beaches of white sand alternate with rocky points and wild vegetation. The Atlantic coast unrivaled in its natural magnificence covers 200 km of endless beaches of immaculate sand and transparent water, where the only sound to be heard comes from the waves and the seagulls.
Gastronomy
The most popular cuisine tradition in Uruguay is the asado: beef slowly grilled over firewood. Restaurants where asado is served are called parrilladas.
Uruguay also has a magnificent Italian heritage in cooking pasta and pizza. Besides, most restaurants can offer all kind of international dishes. Seafood is always available in spring time, at its freshest condition. Best wines to taste are imported from Argentina and Chile, although Uruguay lately produces some excellent winesThe Uruguayan typical sweet is the "dulce de leche" (milk sweet). The most popular beverage, called "mate" is a hot and strong herbal infusion, which is drank through a metallic sucker called "bombilla".
Tours
Montevideo City Tour
Visit to de old city,Cathedral, Colonial Buidings and fortress, Residencial Towns and Montevideo beaches Cost per person USD 20
Minas & Piriapolis
Visit to Minas City, nearby forest, Salus Parc and Mountain Lion Fountain. We will take the Panoramic route through the Sierra to arrive to Piriapolis. Visit to the Fauna & Flora Reservation with native South-American and Uruguayan animals and plants. Visit to Piriapolis' coast and beaches, visit to the San Antonio Hill whith a espectacular view of Piriapolis. Duration: One entire day Price: 30 USD per person. Lunch is not included (approx. 12-22USD)
Punta del Este & Golden Coast
Visit to the historic basement of Maldonado City, Cathedral, Dragon military settlement and Tower. Histories and legends. Visit to Punta del Este, one of the most famous sea-shore resort in the world; its pine-tree woods, coast avenue, port, residential neighborhoods. Visit to the ancient town of fishermen "La Barra", "Casapueblo": the "house-sculpture" of the plastic artist Carlos Páez Vilaró. Duration: One entire day Price: 35 USD per person. Lunch is not included (approx.15-25USD).
Colonia del Sacramento
Visit to the Colonia del Sacramento, colonial city founded by the Portuguese in the XVII siecle and declared historical patrimony of the world. Walking through its cobblestone streets and visit to the museums. Visit to the Anchorena parc and estancia (Presidential estancia). Visit to Colonia del Sacramento' coast and beaches Duration: One entire day Price: 40 USD per person. Lunch is not included (approx.12-22USD).
Visit a traditional "Estancia"
Share the lifestyle of our traditional "gauchos" (Cowboys) enjoying an entire outdoors journey in a "estancia" (ranch), where you will see all the traditional rural activities, take a horseback ride or a trip in a typical charriot. Taste our classic "asado" (barbecue) and our traditional desserts, home-made cakes and sweets. Duration: One entire day Price: 95 USD per person. Lunch and afternoon tea or coffee with home-made desserts are included . All tours are subject to completing a minimum of 15 people

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