The South American country does not disappoint those who seek to combine culture and shopping with beaches and nature.
Small, but with countless attractions that make it a great destination. This is how Uruguay could be defined, a country that captivates with its discreet charm, the hospitality of the locals and a beautiful nature embodied in green meadows, large dunes, hot springs and virgin beaches.
The truth is that perhaps the best known of Uruguay by travelers is its beautiful and picturesque capital, Montevideo, which we have described several times in previous articles. For this reason, on this occasion, we are going to focus on everything that its surroundings offer to those who, during their visit to Uruguay, want to live the experience of immersing themselves, in a single trip, in the famous, vibrant and bohemian rhythm of Montevideo, as well as connect with the most authentic and wild nature of this fascinating and diverse country.
The first excursion for those who seek tranquility and connect with nature at some point during their stay in the Uruguayan capital should be the Costa de Oro, in the department of Canelones. Due to its proximity to Montevideo, less than an hour away, this set of spa cities, among which Neptunia, Pinamar, Las Toscas or Atlántida stand out, are a traditional vacation destination for Uruguayan families, and are characterized by still retaining that air quiet old familyso appreciated by travelers who prioritize rest on their trips. We will stop, for all its attractions, in Atlántida, considered by locals as the tourist capital of the Gold Coast.
It should be noted that it has a more urban landscape than Las Toscas and stands out for its restaurants, which offer extraordinary gastronomic experiences; its multiple businesses and shops, ideal for shopping tourism; its zoo; its mini amusement park with video games and attractions; and for the artisan fairs that are usually organized in the center of the city.
Without leaving the Gold Coast
Undoubtedly, it is worth visiting Ciudad de la Costa, located between the Carrasco and Pando streams, also in the department of Canelones. Its beaches, the main attraction of this area, are a great option for all those who love to see beautiful sunsets and rest contemplating a magical backdrop. Among some that we can highlight are Barra de Carrasco beach, San José de Carrasco beach, Shangrilá beach —inspired by the mythical Shangri-La land, a paradise of peace and beautiful landscapes that come true here— and El Pinar, whose name is due to the fact that it is surrounded by pine trees.
Another very special space that you cannot miss is Roosevelt Park.; It borders Shangrilá beach and is the first state park created in Uruguay. As a curiosity, in this park since 1976 during the Tourism Week, in April, a folk festival called Criolla del Roosevelt is celebrated. In it, gaucho rodeo competitions are held with participants from Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, at the same time that there are shows of folk music and popular singing, as well as craft shows and gastronomic fairs. It is a wonderful experience that only a place with as much charm as this and a country as unique as Uruguay can offer its visitors. On the other hand, in Ciudad de la Costa, all those who love shopping tourism will find Giannattasio Avenue an almost obligatory stop, because here, in addition to numerous restaurants.
View of the Plaza de la Independencia, heart of Montevideo.
Las Piedras and Santa Lucía, wine tourism and tranquility
We continue our tour around Montevideo stopping in the city of Las Piedras, also in the department of Canelones, which offers a wide range of places to visit: the Julio Sosa Museum —dedicated to a local tango singer—; the Artigas Batalla de las Piedras National Park, declared a National Historical Monument; and the “A don José” Amphitheater, as well as the Grape and Wine Museum. At this point it should be remembered that Uruguay is also a very attractive destination for lovers of wine tourism,since they can take the “Los Camino del Vino” route, which brings together the best family wineries in Canelones, Montevideo, Maldonado and Colonia, so even without moving from the department of the capital and Canelones, you can visit a good number of wineries whose wines will surprise you.
To conclude this particular route, we cannot fail to mention Santa Lucía, one of the least touristic places in Uruguay, so if you are one of those who prefer to flee from mass tourism, you will consider visiting this city as something unavoidable. In addition to its natural beauty, it is added that in the Santa Lucía River, which bathes its coast, you can practice fun water sports, such as kayaking or paddle surfing. Here it is also very interesting to know Quinta Capurro,a historic garden, also a National Historic Monument, whose heritage value is found in the original houses and the plant species brought from Europe and Asia by its former owner and founder, Federico Capurro; the peace behind its bars and brick walls is captivating. Another place of interest is the José Enrique Rodó Museum-Cultural Center, a National Historical Monument consisting of a Moorish-Spanish-style mansion, and which is very famous for having belonged to the writer who gives it its name.
We have focused, due to its proximity to Montevideo, on the department of Canelones, but the truth is that the attractions close to the capital go much further, and that the words of an article would not be enough to describe them; This is just a small sample of everything with which the surroundings of this beautiful city can surprise the traveler. Spectacular natural landscapes and unforgettable experiences are the two main ingredients with which it captivates those who decide to visit them.
