Uruguay offers:

• First World Infraestructure
• Mild Climate
• Kind and Polite People
• Well functioning health-care system
• The continent´s premier beach resort
• Ownership of properties is guaranteed by law
  
• Political and Economic Stability
• Corruption and crime rate on a low level
  
• Low Cost of Living

Uruguay, a small nation of only 3.3 million inhabitants, is undoubtedly, due to its geographic distribution and quality of life, a paradise for all those seeking to relax in a safe environment.

Lined with over 400 kms of coastline along the Rio de la Plata and the Atlantic Ocean, it is immersed in the tranquility of nature; bestowed by its fields, forests, rivers, lakes, hills and beaches.

It is a nation that stands out by the good nature and kindness of its people - in large part with a good cultural level – resulting in the warmth and hospitality of the population.

The conservation and care of the environment place Uruguay within the countries with the best indexes of sustainability, recognized by numerous international organizations.

Punta del Este

Punta del Este is the largest beach town in Uruguay, situated on a peninsula that offers a long chain of beaches along the Atlantic Ocean. It is located 135 kms from Montevideo, the nation’s capital, and boasts a modern airport, with daily flights from Argentina and Brazil. From Europe and USA one can fly directly to Montevideo or connecting through Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo.

Punta del Este has a unique and cosmopolitan charm, with large tourist movement, making it the place of choice for revelers of all ages and nationalities during the summer season (December to March).

Some seek relaxation on its beautiful white sand beaches, to participate in sporting competitions, or go sailing or fishing around Gorriti Island or Lobos Island.

For those looking for a little more excitement, they can try their luck in one of the casinos; go out for dinner at a typical parrillada or elaborated fusion foods at one of the many fashionable seaside restaurants or meet friends at any of the summer nightlife hotspots.

In terms of sports, Punta del Este features many golf courses, tennis courts and polo fields.  Yachting is one of the town’s favorite sports and every year high-level international regattas are carried out.

Accommodation is quite varied. First-class 5-star hotels, typical inns and B&B’s, beach or country homes, or cutting-edge residential buildings with breathtaking ocean views meet the varied tastes of all. And of course, one must not leave out the pine tree-covered neighborhoods and their classic chalets where families gather to while away the summer days.

Its culinary offer brings forth the most widely recognized chefs on either side of the Rio de la Plata, satisfying even the most demanding palates.

Casinos, conferences, sporting events, museums, galleries and a wide range of shows make Punta del Este an international rendezvous, where the latest trends in architecture, art, design and fashion come to meet.

During the winter months, those seeking peace and quiet enjoy the magical charm that this seaside town offers.

In recent years, a growing number of citizens from the northern hemisphere have been making Uruguay their getaway or place of retirement, benefiting from the lower cost of living and excellent climate compared to their countries of origin.

Punta del Este is the perfect place to find an excellent standard of living at a more than affordable price.

José Ignacio

José Ignacio once a simple fishing village, is a small town surrounded by spectacular beaches and low-rise homes, where the construction of buildings is strictly prohibited. It is an exclusive spot, chosen by people of all nationalities seeking refuge and rest in this little paradise.

During the peak summer months, Jose Ignacio flourishes with its beaches full of people, the meeting spot par excellence to sip on exotics cocktails and savor the catch du jour cooked in a mud oven while looking out onto the ocean. At night, silence returns to this small beach town and one can only hear the warm breeze coming in from the sea and the waves breaking nearby.

Two beaches separate the town: the Playa Brava (Rough Beach), with intense waves and a larger flow of people, and the Playa Mansa (Calm Beach), ideal to finish off the afternoon swimming among the rocks and watching the sunset.

Near Jose Ignacio there has been an increase in sophisticated seaside chacras, for those who take pleasure in horseback riding and enjoying nature only minutes from the sea.

Jose Ignacio is the ideal spot for those seeking to relax in a small, yet sophisticated and exclusive, town; without losing the wonderful essence of the place.

Punta Del Diablo

Punta del Diablo is a small fishing village, located 298 kms from Montevideo and 150 kms from Punta del Este. It is one of those places that nature has reserved only for the few that manage to make it out to its coasts looking for a little more.

A narrow road leads to the first rocks that surround this little town where up until only a few years ago the only inhabitants were the fishermen and their families. Today, rustic houses, many made of wood with straw roofs, mix with colorful walls and roofs. Simple, yet picturesque and welcoming, constructions abound.

The ocean off the coast of Punta del Diablo is a gathering place for surfers. Its deep and transparent green water crashes against the rocks that separate the three most important beaches. On one side, and honoring the hill where the small town can be found, we find Playa Rivero (Rivero Beach) - bordering the town limits, which are constantly expanding along the coast. To the right, in an even more natural and calm atmosphere, is located the wild Playa de la Viuda (Widow’s Beach), where legend has it a woman lived alone amid the vastness of the natural environement.

In the center, among the town’s original “ranches” one finds a handicrafts market and small restaurants serving the best buñuelos de algas (seaweed buns) and calamari in the region. In the small center of town, there are also bars to sip on drinks listening to reggae tunes or live music fitting the atmosphere. Art houses, small clothing shops and stores are to be found here as well.

Life in Punta del Diablo has no sense of time. The wind and the waves are the only melody amid the silence. At night, the stars become the protagonists of the environment. Punta del Diablo offers a unique lifestyle to live and feel.

La Pedrera

La Pedrera is located along route 10 on km 228, some 230 kms fro Montevideo and 103 kms from Punta del Este.

It’s a small beach town to relax and enjoy oneself. Its main street leads to a cliff that offers a spectacular view of the ocean. To the right is Playa del Barco (Boat’s Beach), where during the long summer days youthful crowds gather and surfers choose to spend hours upon hours in the water. To the left, the Playa el Desplayado (Bare Beach), with calmer waves, where one can also find youthful crowds along with families whiling away the summer days enjoying the ocean.

La Pedrera is the most exclusive beach town in this area, with an excellent culinary offer, serving up exceptional seafood right in front of the ocean.

Life in La Pedrera is completely casual.

The Carnaval in La Pedrera is the best along the coasts of Rocha. During Carnaval week, a festive air is breathed; the comparsas take to the main street with their drums, accompanied by summer revelers who dress up to go along with town’s festivities. The bars bring their tables out to the main street and the music takes the place over.

Montevideo

Montevideo is the capital and largest city in Uruguay. Additionally, it is the capital of the Mercosur and ALADI. It is located in the southern part of the country, with coasts along the Rio de la Plata.

The city is located in a geographical spot that delineates it as the main cargo route of the Mercosur. It encompasses a bay that forms a natural harbor, being the country’s most important, as well as one of the main ports of the Southern Cone.

A large part of the country’s economic activity is to be found in Montevideo, as well as commercial exchange, banking and tourism.

Its main avenue par excellence, La Rambla, is the city’s most important urban traffic route as well as an stunning promenade. La Rambla spreads out along the coast and borders all of Montevideo’s beaches.

Montevideo’s Ciudad Vieja (Historic Quarter) boasts many buildings of historical significance. The neighborhood is a hub for the city’s offices, restaurants, bars, shops and museums. Some places of historic and artistic interest are: Plaza Zabala, Plaza Matriz, Plaza Independencia, Solis Theatre, Torres Garcia Museum, the Cabildo of Montevideo (Old Town Hall), the Cathedral, among others.

Montevideo boasts many parks and green spaces. The most notable ones are: Rodo Park, with some 25 hectares of park just a stone-throw away from the coast; Battle Park, with the Centenario Stadium, the Voledrome, the Municipal track and field stadium and the Constituyentes Obelisk. The Prado neighborhood also holds broad green spaces and old houses worth visiting, as is the Juan Manuel Blanes Museum.

For those keen on horse races, they can visit the Maroñas Tracks, where numerous races are carried out on weekends.

Among the city’s numerous museums, notable are the Torres Garcia Museum, the Jose Gurvich Museum, the National Museum of Visual Arts, the Juan Manuel Blanes museum, the National History Museum and the Romantic Museum.

The shopping malls are a common destinations for both tourists and locals, as well as the city’s traditional ferias (street markets), such as Tristan Nervaja, Villa Biarritz and Parque Rodo. The Mercado del Puerto (Port Market) is another common tourist stop, housed in an old metal structure that came from the mines of Cardiff, projected by English engineers and welded by British manufacturers. Within this building, stopping for a meal at one of the parrilladas (grills) or fish restaurants is a must among tourists visiting Montevideo.

Montevideo is a mainstay of tango, candombe and murga, and boasts many activities and events related to these traditional musical genres. Additionally, the city has a great circuit of shows, be it blockbuster movies or experimental film, or open-air shows during the summer season.

There is a diverse culinary offer, where the classic parrilladas reign, with outstanding cuts of beef and fish all cooked on large grills. One can also find a wide range of cuisine, such as Mediterranean, Italian, French, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, among others.