URUGUAY Uruguay, one of the smallest of the South American republics, is located by the Atlantic Ocean between Argentina and Brazil. Its population is about 3 million inhabitants, half of which live in the capital, Montevideo. Its 500 km (300 miles) of fine sandy beaches, forests, hills, hot springs, art festivals, numerous opportunities for sport and entertainment, and above all its people, make Uruguay an ideal place to visit all year round. Distance Chart in km
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Uruguay
URUGUAY
THRIFTY CAR RENTAL
Offices in Montevideo, Colonia, Punta del Este, Salto, Canelones Thrifty is a globally well-known thrifty@thrifty.com.uy & trustworthy car rental company www.thrifty.com.uy offering cars & vans for all budgets & needs! Cruise along Uruguay’s beautiful coastline while experiencing complete freedom. Explore every village or surf spot you want! Thrifty Uruguay has offices in Colonia, Montevideo (city & airport), Punta del Este, Salto (NW Uruguay) & Canelones so drop-offs in other locations are not an issue. In Colonia del Sacramento Thrifty also rents out golf carts, scooters & bicycles. This is an awesome & original way to discover this beautiful little city and its surroundings with the fellow travel junkies you’ve met along the way! Pay with a foreign credit card and get the tax refunded! Spanish, English, Portuguese & Italian spoken.
15% off on the standard tariffs with Get South!
COLONIA DEL SACRAMENTO Its privileged position on a cape at the Río de la Plata provoked many disputes between different rulers during its history, resulting in a mix of beautiful Portuguese colonial buildings and typical Spanish style houses. The charming Barrio Histórico (historic quarter) was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995. Take a journey back in time and stroll around this remarkable place with its cobblestone streets to visit the Plaza Mayor (main square) with Casa de Nacarello and Casa del Virrey, the Calle de los Suspiros (Street of Sighs) with houses from the 1st colonial period, the ruins of the San Francisco convent and the lighthouse (El Faro). Colonia also houses interesting museums like the Museo Municipal (Casa del Almirante Brown) and Museo Portugués on Plaza Mayor, the Museo del Azulejo (Tile Museum) and more. A highlight of any visit is definitely enjoying a colourful sunset over the Río de la Plata and making the gorgeous walk over the Rambla de las Americas along the water to Real de San Carlos, 4km from Colonia. This is the beach area to go to, and while you’re there, check out the impressive bull fight ring. Well worth a visit is the Aarón de Anchorena National Park 30km northeast of the city. This is the presidential resting residence with an exotic park and a 75m high tower with panoramic views that reach Buenos Aires. 9
Uruguay
CO L O NIA
EL VIAJERO HOSTEL & SUITES CO LO NIA
Washington Barbot 164 This hostel has high ceilings with wide COLONIA DEL SACRAMENTO skylights, neat fireplaces, cable TV and +598 45222683 DVDs, great BBQ area, a solarium and info@elviajerocolonia.com a hip bar. There are private rooms with beautiful views and dorms, all ensuite and with A/C. Located 700 m away from the port and bus station, just a 100 m from the famous “Historical Town”, and 1500 m from beautiful beaches! Bike rentals and horseback riding outings, FUN!
10% off or 4th night free! (not valid from 24/12 to the end of Carnival)
EL VIAJERO BED & BREAKFAST
Odriozola 269 COLONIA DEL SACRAMENTO El Viajero B&B has the comfort of a hotel at hostel +598 4522 8645 prices! It is located in front of the Río de la Plata info@elviajerobb.com and next to the “Historical Town”, just 300 meters away from the Port and the bus station. It has 14 double matrimonial and twin rooms, all with ensuite bathroom and air conditioning, cable TV, Wi-Fi & Internet.
www.elviajerohostels.com -
El Viajero Hostels Uruguay
MONTEVIDEO Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, is a vibrant mix of architectural styles and cultures. The heart of the city is Plaza Independencia, where the old & new city meets. It’s a massive square with the mausoleum of General Artigas, who led Uruguay to its independence, and the Teatro Solis and Government House. Avenida 18 de Julio, east of the plaza, splits the new city in half and is the main commercial street, with loads of impressive buildings in an eclectic and art deco style. Enter the Ciudad Vieja or Old City through the Puerta de la Ciudadela at the west side of the Plaza Independencia. Explore the narrow streets scattered with bars and restaurants and beautiful and important historical buildings. The Plaza de la Constitución (or Plaza Matriz) with the Cathedral and Cabildo (city hall) and Plaza Zabala are the main squares here. Leaving the Old City without having lunch at the Mercado del Puerto is simply not done! Have some delicious meat or seafood with the market’s signature drink “medio y medio”. Parque Rodó with its boating lake is a perfect place to relax, and football fans can visit the museum at the Centenario Stadium at Parque Batlle, the arena of the first World Cup finals, won by Uruguay in their homeland in 1930. It’s a FIFA international monument of world soccer. Sunday mornings are reserved for the big and popular Tristán Narvaja flea market and to get a tan, head to the excellent beaches of trendy Pocitos or Carrasco or have a stroll along la Rambla, the beautiful road that goes all along the coastline of Montevideo. Celebrating the world famous Montevideo Carnival is without a doubt a memorable experience! 10
MONTEVIDE0
Uruguay
EL VIAJERO DOWNTOWN HOSTEL & SUITES Located in downtown Montevideo, only a few Soriano 1073 corner Paraguay MONTEVIDEO minutes from the main tourist attractions, take +598 29082913 your pick between their 10 private rooms with private bathrooms, A/C and cable TV or their info@elviajerodowntown.com El Viajero Hostels Uruguay shared rooms with lockers. The hostel has an outdoor patio with a bar so it’s easy to get to know other travelers. There is a well equipped kitchen and a nicely decorated living room with cable TV, DVD & Media Player. Ask their bilingual staff for bike rental, laundry service, bus tickets sales and hostel reservations for other destinations in Uruguay!
10% off or 4th night free! (not valid from 24/12 to the end of Carnival) If you continue your travels to Colombia, check out their excellent hostels at San Andres, Cartagena & Cali!
www.elviajerohostels.com
CONTRALUZ ART HOSTEL
Juan D. Jackson 865 Photos and other art are exhibited in the hostel’s MONTEVIDEO +598 24107254 hallways and in the big communal area with its very high ceiling and lots of natural light. info@contraluzarthostel.com www.contraluzarthostel.com Ana, a photographer herself, and her team give Uruguayan artists the opportunity to exhibit their work, and often live bands can show off their music skills here. It’s nice to admire the photos when having the complimentary breakfast or while munching on the food you’ve prepared in the kitchen. The female and mixed dorms with lockers are very spacious or you can pick a single, double (twin or matrimonial, with aircon) or quadruple room. All bathrooms are shared and towels are provided in the private rooms. The hostel is located very close to Parque Rodó, just 1,5 blocks from the Río de La Plata, close to different pubs & clubs and with easy access to the old center of Montevideo. 10% off Contraluz Arthostel
at check-in with
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Contraluzhostel
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MONTEVIDEO
Uruguay
POCITOS HOSTEL Pocitos Hostel is situated in the heart of trendy Pocitos, Montevideo’s quarter in vogue, with lots of restaurants & nightlife. A short stroll will bring you to Playa Pocitos, a nice city beach and hang-out spot to take a dip, enjoy the sunset and try a mate* with a local.
Sarmiento 2641 MONTEVIDEO +598 27118780 pocitoshostel@gmail.com www.pocitoshostel.com Pocitos Hostel
The hostel’s layout with a cozy living room, kitchen & small garden, and the helpful crew, create a very sociable & relaxed atmosphere, one of the big strengths of this hostel. You’ll meet even more people in one of the dorms (with lockers), or get some privacy in a private twin-bedded or matrimonial room. You’ll share the hostel’s bathrooms, but also the convenience of having an included breakfast! Enjoy making new friends in Pocitos!
20% off accommodation at check in from April to November with Get South!
ACADEMIA URUGUAY - Spanish Courses
Juan Carlos Gómez 1408 MONTEVIDEO +598 29152496 info@academiauruguay.com www.academiauruguay.com
How cool is it to learn Spanish in a historical building in the heart of the old city in Montevideo? Whether you just want to be able to pick up a local beauty or stud, or want to make a career switch to being a certified Spanish teacher, their highly educated teachers will do the job! Individual or group classes, fun activities and visits, workshops, volunteering opportunities, etc; you’ll be immersed in a 24 hour Spanish language experience! Stay with a local family to get a fuller immersion, or opt for a shared apartment. Courses start every Monday all year round. Academia Uruguay can also arrange studying at one of the universities in the city. Various possibilities, professionalism and years in the trade: Academia Uruguay is the perfect Spanish school for you! Academia language schools also operate in Argentina: Bariloche and Buenos Aires. Member of the Responsible Tourism Network: www.rtrglobal.org
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Uruguay
PUNTA DEL ESTE
PUNTA DEL ESTE Excellent beaches, great surf, vibrant night life, delicious food and cultural activities make Punta del Este and its surroundings Uruguay’s summer destination in vogue. The Punta del Este peninsula is an internationally popular place to hang out and enjoy. Have a look at the 43m high lighthouse and its neighbour, the Parish Church, visit the Crafts & Artist´s Market at Artigas Square and stroll through the streets with shops, bars and restaurants like Gorlero Avenue and Calle 20. Playa Mansa (west side) is a beach with calm water to relax and sunbathe by. The ocean is a lot rougher at the east side, which makes Playa El Emir and Playa Brava top surf spots, the latter with the original “Hand in the Sand” sculpture. Punta del Este is also famous for partying. Party addicts go to the Yacht Port with its never ending nightlife, or head to La Barra, 20km east of the peninsula. La Barra, with its undulating bridge, is a lively and trendy beach town with a sparkling nightlife and excellent surf at f.e. Manantiales and Bikini Beach. 40 km east of the peninsula is José Ignacio, where the jet set go. This chic and quiet beach resort is also a popular surf spot with fabulous beaches and gorgeous houses. A top excursion at Punta del Este is a boat trip to Isla de Lobos, an island at about 8km from the coast, with the biggest sea lion colony in South America (tours leave from the port). Isla Gorriti, a 15min boat ride from the port, is a little island to explore with a wonderful bay and beach to get over your hangover...
EL VIAJERO BRAVA BEACH HOSTEL & SUITES Av. F. Salazar y Charrúa s/n El Viajero Brava Beach, with its cozy common PUNTA DEL ESTE area and outside deck, is superbly located at +598 42480331 just 3 blocks from the bus station and near info@elviajerobravabeach.com Punta’s main tourist attractions & trendy www.elviajerohostels.com beaches. The atmosphere is relaxed & chilled El Viajero Hostels Uruguay out, you’ll be part of a real cosmopolitan backpacker community here. It’s ideal for meeting other travelers and staying in the city on a budget, with multi-bed dorms and private rooms all ensuite and with A/C. The dorm beds have curtains ensuring that your stay is private and comfortable. Enjoy the included Uruguayan homemade brekkie, the free pool & ping pong table, the cinema nights and the famous Viajero’s night with chivito, BBQ and pizzas at great prices. The friendly staff will fix your tours, bicycle & surfboard rental, kite & surf lessons and tickets & transport for the most exclusive parties in town!
10% off or 4th night free! (not valid from 24/12 to the end of Carnival) 13
Uruguay
PUNTA DEL ESTE
THE TRIP HOSTEL
Emilio Sader, between Bv. Artigas & Av. Francia During the day this place, just a few blocks PUNTA DEL ESTE from the bus terminal, is super chilled out with +598 42488181 a relaxed hippie & surf vibe in the beautiful bar, rooftop terrace and communal spaces. But in the thetriphostel@hotmail.com www.thetriphostel.com evening its groovy owners make sure a big party is kicking off with loud music, bands, absolutely delicious artisan beer and other liquid delicacies. With all this energy and cool young people you won’t end up in bed early in one of the dorms’ bunkbeds (female & mixed, with lockers and aircon) or in the private ensuite room with TV. Towels and breakfast are provided and a fully-stocked kitchen is there to prepare your food. But no worries, the hostel is located near several snack bars & restaurants if you don’t feel like laboring over the pots and pans. Ask the staff about the asados, karaoke evenings, surf lessons, other activities and bookable tours. Open all year. English & Portuguese also spoken.
12% off on cash payments (not to combine with other promos) or a free 660cc artisan beer if you stay min. 3 nights.
The Trip Hostel
LA PALOMA & LA PEDRERA La Paloma blossoms in summer from a quiet fishermen’s town into a bustling beach destination. Playa Bahía is a sheltered beach for swimming, and Playa La Balconada is an exquisite sunset spot. Playa Anaconda and La Aguada are internationally famous surf beaches, while Playa Los Botes is the perfect place to take a stroll. Declared as a national historic monument in 1976, Cabo Santa María with the lighthouse is also worth a visit. The city boasts a fine pine tree forest where you can keep cool and biking and horseback riding are popular activities. Boats arriving at the port are escorted by sea lions and the occasional penguin, claiming their meal. La Paloma has little shops and boutiques that offer handicrafts which are ideal for souvenirs. La Pedrera, 12km northeast, is a small and exclusive resort with a great nightlife and fine white sand beaches good for surfing and windsurfing. Playa Desplayado at the northeast side of the village hasn’t got a big swell and is safer to swim. At the southwest side, Playa del Barco (Boat Beach) is a great surf and bodyboard beach to get your adrenaline pumping. This beach owes its name to the remains of the “Cathay”, the boat that shipwrecked here in 1971. In the main street of La Pedrera you will find picturesque crafts stands and a variety of small shops and restaurants. The coastal waters of La Paloma and La Pedrera are good for scuba diving and world class sports fishing. Whale watching season goes from July till October, when these magnificent creatures migrate close to the shores. Laguna de Rocha, a protected area nearby, is a vast wetland with populations of black-necked swans, storks, spoonbills and other waterfowl - this is simply a birdwatcher’s paradise! 14
Uruguay
LA PALOMA-LA PEDRERA
HOSTEL & SUITE IBIRAPITA LA PALOMA One block from the bus terminal, in Av. Paloma corner Av. Solari the heart of the city with all the shops LA PALOMA and nightlife and really close to most +598 44799303 beaches, this is a first-rate location! The bilingual contacto@hostelibirapita.com www.hostelibirapita.com staff can organize a wide range of activities for you: excursions, surf lessons, horseback rides, whale watching, scuba diving, car and bicycle rental, etc. All dorms (female and mixed) have lockers and there is an ensuite private room for 4 people. They also have 4 private matrimonial rooms with a private bathroom, cable TV and fridge. Breakfast and towels are included for all guests and a kitchen is available. The hostel offers you free entrance for clubs and with the key of your room you get a discount at a range of restaurants, bars and shops. Ask for more info at the reception! Open all year round! Argentinean pesos accepted!
10% off accommodation & a welcome drink with Get South!
EL VIAJERO LA PEDRERA HOSTEL & SUITES An ideal spot to rest and relax, Benteveo between Pirincho & Zorzal surrounded by a forest and close LA PEDRERA to the main street, bus stop +598 44792252 and only 500m from the beach. This dreamy info@elviajerolapedrera.com hostel offers many ensuite double rooms, El Viajero Hostels Uruguay dorms with lockers (some also ensuite), wide common areas, TV/DVD room, fully equipped kitchen, grill and a bar. Catch some sun rays in the gorgeous garden or on the terrace with wooden deck. Surf lessons and daily dinners are taken care of by the friendly bilingual staff. WARNING: it’s normally closed from April to November, so ask before getting there!
10% off or 4th night free! (not valid for January or Carnival) If you continue your travels to Colombia, check out their excellent hostels at San Andres, Cartagena & Cali!
www.elviajerohostels.com 15
Uruguay
CABO POLONIO
CABO POLONIO & VALIZAS Visiting Cabo Polonio & Barra de Valizas stands for beautiful sandy beaches, spectacular dunes and breathtaking ocean views. Valizas is a rustic little village, with a wonderful atmosphere. Cabo Polonio is its neighbour located in the cape’s national park with no electricity (only generators) and limited running water; a remote place to escape reality. Valizas has a bus connection; Cabo Polonio however can only be reached walking the 7km of dunes or by 4x4 trucks from the bus terminal just off the main highway. A magical experience is walking or horseback riding the 8km from Valizas to Cabo Polonio or vice versa with its enormous dunes reaching over 30m high, which are thrilling to sandboard down. On foot a reasonable level of fitness is required and you should try to avoid the hottest time of the day. Don’t miss taking the boat ride from the main highway (between both villages) to visit the Monte de Ombúes, with its peculiar and huge century-old trees. For a 360º view of the area, go up the 56m high cerro* Buena Vista with fantastic views of the beaches, Cabo Polonio and the Laguna de Castillos. Due to the ocean’s rocky labyrinth in front of Valizas and the cape, several shipwrecks can be admired while scuba diving. The Cabo Polonio’s lighthouse was built in 1881 to avoid further accidents and from the top you can enjoy a wonderful view of the ocean and 3 small rocky islands just in front of the cape, the Islas de Torres, crowded with a big colony of sea lions. The Valizas and Cabo Polonio coastal area is the perfect place to laze on the beach, to be dazzled by the marvelous sunrises and sunsets and to do some top star-gazing. Surf lovers can even have a go on the choppy waves!
VIEJO LOBO ECOHOSTEL
Downtown - Truck stop CABO POLONIO Cell: +598 91413013 viejolobohostel@gmail.com www.viejolobohostel.com Viejo Lobo Hostel
Right at the 4x4 truck stop and very close to the beach, shops, pubs and restaurants, Viejo Lobo hostel has a perfect location in Cabo Polonio! Feel the sand tickle your toes and smell the sea at this cool hostel where it’s all about relaxing, socializing and living the dream! Pick your choice from a comfortable dorm for 4, 6 or 7 people (with lockers), or choose from one of the three matrimonial rooms. All rooms have a shared bathroom except one matrimonial room that has an independent entry, beautiful ocean and dunes views and it’s own private toilet (no shower). Snooze in one of the comfortable hammocks after preparing your meal in the kitchen. Luis, the owner who also speaks English, will gladly help you with organizing your activities, like horseback riding or their spectacular 2 day trek from La Pedrera to Cabo Polonio with 40km of pristine beaches, an adventure you shouldn’t miss! More info about this trek on www.costeando.net. Open all year!
15% off with Get South! (not valid from 20 December to 20 March) 16
Uruguay
VALIZAS
LUCKY VALIZAS, HOSTAL Y MINI-ECOCAMPING Tomás Cambre 115 Lucky Valizas is located at 300m from the bus BARRA DE VALIZAS terminal and 400m from the beach. Chill out in the +598 44754070 huge lush garden full of trees; it’s an oasis of serenity, Cell: +598 99472770 but also a place to socialize and meet new friends. luckyvalizas@gmail.com Luciana, the owner, often invites local musicians and www.luckyvalizas.com bands to play, and movies and documentaries are shown on a big screen. The main house is very traditional and rustic and the structures in the garden are all made of wood. The kitchen is a kind of a semi outdoor space, really snug and well equipped to cook your meals in a wood oven or on hot plates. There is a variety of dorms available or private rooms. There are also little wooden cabins and tents can also be pitched in the amazing garden. Breakfast is optional and in winter time home made meals are prepared. Open all year, check availability!
10% off
Have a look at their Youtube “Lucky
at check-in Valizas Original Video Subtitled” and with “Fiestas de verano en el Jardín”.
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Lucky Valizas Hostal y Ecocamping
CABALGATAS VALICERAS - Horseback riding tours Tomás Cambre n/n The full day horseback tour we did with Cabalgatas Valiceras from Valizas to Cabo in front of the fishermen esplanade BARRA DE VALIZAS Polonio was without any exaggeration +598 99574685 a mind blowing and unforgettable cabalgatasvaliceras@gmail.com experience and we’re still bragging about it! www.cabalgatasvaliceras.com.uy Imagine yourself riding through a UNESCO nature reserve with stunning endless beaches, magic creeks and gigantic dunes. We promise you it will be one of the highlights of your world trip! As a novice the soft sand makes it safe to try your first gallop, and the pros can fire their horse up to full speed. Mauro, the owner, picks out the perfect horse matching your level. He is so professional and the horses are so well trained, no wonder that many riders also hire him and his team for extra courses to optimize their skills. Trips (half, full & multi day) are organized all year round. In low season, try to contact him in advance.
10% off with Get South if you pay in cash or 5% off with Credit Card!
Cabalgatas Valiceras
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Uruguay
PUNTA DEL DIABLO
PUNTA DEL DIABLO Punta del Diablo is a charming village, founded by fishermen and discovered by surfers, close to the Brazilian border. This little town with 900 inhabitants turns into a major tourist destination from Christmas until February. The rest of the year travelers can enjoy the tranquility of its winding dirt streets and long stretches of beautiful empty sandy beaches, which are a horseman’s dream to gallop along. The most popular beaches are the large Playa Rivero and the smaller town beach Playa de los Pescadores. Playa Viuda, more to the south is perfect for relaxing or making a long quiet stroll. North of Playa Rivero, the long Playa Grande, guides you to the Santa Teresa National Park with over 2 million trees, gorgeous hidden white beaches, wildlife and the giant Santa Teresa fortress. The 60km of trails through thick bush gives you the opportunity to discover its outstanding beauty. West of Punta del Diablo is Laguna Negra with its surrounding wetlands, palm trees, and abundant birdlife. It is very popular in summer and a fantastic place to watch the sunset. In Punta del Diablo it is well worth waking up early, when the sea is calm, to observe the ritual of the local fishermen heading out to sea with their colourful boats. In the evening they return to deliver their catch to the various cozy restaurants in town. Your taste buds will be pampered! Punta del Diablo is a handicrafts village too. The craftsmen display their works at little stands near to the beach. Enjoy your stay at this exquisite beach destination in the East of Uruguay!
EL DIABLO TRANQUILO HOSTEL & PLAYA SUITES Avda Central n/n Enjoy the wilderness of Punta del Diablo from the PUNTA DEL DIABLO comfort of El Diablo Tranquilo Hostel and Playa +598 44772647 Suites. With two properties, you can choose staff@eldiablotranquilo.com between the original hostel a block away from www.eldiablotranquilo.com the sea, or the new Playa Suites which is set right on the beach. Both have modern comforts but with authentic, rustic charm in the traditional wooden constructions. At both you can pick between private ensuites, doubles, and shared dormitories (with shared and private bathrooms). Guests and staff come from all over the world creating a real international vibe and you can hang out at the bar, restaurant (during peak season) or join in the themed parties, language classes or go to the nearby nightlife and shops. Located on the famous El Rivero beach the staff can organize surf, yoga, shiatsu, horse riding, turtle conservation, Santa Teresa National Park and Laguna Negra excursions as well. El Diablo Tranquilo
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10% off on the nights booked on arrival!