Travel

Montevideo, a charming capital on the banks of the River Plate

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Capital of “Paisito”, Montevideo, may not surprise the visitor at first, but it gradually shows its charm. Tree-lined and well-maintained streets, imposing buildings and monuments, charming ramblas (sidewalks), restaurants and markets that serve excellent food, wines and beers. Just a 2h30 flight from São Paulo, this small metropolis on the banks of the River Plate delights the foreigner and leaves him wanting to return.

Montevideo City Tour

A good choice to be introduced to the Uruguayan capital is to take a bus tour that, in a 2h10 ride, explores the city practically from end to end, passing through the most interesting places in the city. The ticket lasts for 24 hours, which allows the tourist to get off at the attractions, visit it with tranquility, and continue the tour on the next bus. Check the itinerary, stopping point and schedules at https://www.busturisticomontevideo.com.uy

Ciudad Vieja

The most historic part of the city is home to incredible attractions such as the imposing Teatro Solis and the Torres García museums (dedicated to the greatest Uruguayan artist), Del Carnaval (on the particularities of the Uruguayan revelry), the Andes 1972, on the plane with Uruguayans who fell in Chile (a tragedy that even became a film). Another interesting place is the Salvo Palace, a building with a very particular architecture, full of stories, which is open to visitors. It is located at Plaza Independência, where a monument is located in honor of General José Artigas (the national hero in the struggle for independence) and important offices such as the seat of the Presidency of the Republic.

At one end of the square is the Puerta de la Cidadela, a portal that is actually the vestige of the old wall that protected the city. Passing it, you have access to a rambla (boardwalk) full of shops, restaurants, artisans and street artists. A little further on, towards the Rio da Prata, you get to Mercado del Puerto, a local version of Mercadão paulistano, but with a very particular characteristic: the restaurants specializing in meat, prepared in the emblematic parrilla (inclined grill).

Agricultural Market

A little further from the center, this shopping center mixes the sale of products that are very characteristic of Uruguayan culture, with technological or agricultural items. It also has a food court that serves typical fast-food food.

Centenary Stadium

The conquest of the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, in the middle of Maracanã, an episode that became known with Maracanazo, is remembered in several parts of the city. The scorer of the decisive goal, Gighia, is praised on plaques and statues everywhere. The world title occupies a prominent place in the Museum of the Centenary Stadium, which reports the glories of the celestial selection. In addition to checking out photos, trophies, cleats and shirts bathed in sweat and blood, the visit also allows you to visit the stands of the stadium, which hosted memorable games, especially of the Libertadores da América.

Uruguayan accent food

Uruguayan cuisine is very similar to that of the neighboring country, located on the other side of the River Plate. In common, the tasty wines and meats prepared in the parrilla. But the chivito (a kind of X-everything), the pancho (Uruguayan hot dog), the local version of choripan (sausage sandwich) and the national pride: alfajores and dulce de leche deserve to be savored. There is also the puchero (meat mixture), the Uruguayan paella and the brazier (both with seafood). And it is a crime against the country not to register mate, a national heritage, consumed at any time, anywhere.

The country of the fat cows

A country smaller than the state of São Paulo, where there are four cows for each inhabitant, excellent rates of economic and social development (the illiteracy rate, for example, is practically zero) and which is at the forefront in addressing many topics, such as guaranteeing the rights of women and homosexuals and legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. Land of one of the most popular and inspiring rulers in history: José Pepe Mujica.

Also visit Colônia do Sacramento, Paraty do Rio da Prata