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- Destinations
- South America
- Uruguay
- Montevideo
Montevideo
From the air the city of Montevideo, capital of Uruguay, sprawls
as a grey morass across the wide Rio Plata estuary where two vast
rivers, the Parana and Uruguay, enter the Atlantic, often churning
the sea with a coffee-coloured silt.
Water is the reason for Montevideo's existence, and the means of
its livelihood, with an extremely busy working harbour where cargo
ships constantly come and go and cranes reach into the sky.
The site was originally a native Indian settlement 'discovered'
by a Portuguese explorer in 1516. A colony was not established
until about a century later, and was eventually taken over by the
Spanish who stormed the Portuguese fort in 1724. The Spanish
formally founded the city in 1726, and in 1828 Montevideo became
the capital of an independent Uruguay. The city's more recent
history has seen it besieged by Argentinean dictator Juan Manuel de
Rosas on two occasions, and endure the Battle of the River Plate
between German and British naval ships at the start of World War
II.
Today Montevideo is one of Latin America's most vibrant cities,
popular with holidaymakers because of its miles of beaches and its
shabby sophistication. One traveller has aptly described the city
as feeling like 'Boston with a touch of Lisbon'.
Visitors and locals can browse the enticing Mercado de los
Artesanos for leather goods, hand-knitted sweaters and other
tempting crafts; stroll the Rambla along the waterfront where there
are superb views and there is always a whole lot of activity; dine
on mouth-watering grilled steaks or perfect paella in the
restaurants of Mercado del Puerto; and end the day with a
tantalising tango at one of the numerous night-clubs.
Information & Facts
Climate
Montevideo's climate is mild and temperate with an average
temperature of 55°F (13°C). During the height of summer (January)
Montevideo temperatures usually hover around 82°F (28°C), while
winters are much cooler and tend to be wet. Autumn is the wettest
period.
Getting Around
It is easy and cheap to travel around Montevideo on buses, which
run all over the city until around 11pm daily. Tickets are bought
directly from the driver or conductor, who can also advise on
routes and destinations. Locals are friendly and willing to help
advise on bus routes to access the various sights and attractions;
a Spanish phrase book is useful for this purpose. Taxis are
plentiful in the city. They are metered and can be expensive,
particularly if you are transporting luggage (there is a
surcharge).
Language
The official language is Spanish.
Money
The official currency of Uruguay is the Uruguayan Peso (UYU),
but US Dollars are also accepted by some tourist businesses,
retailers and taxi drivers. The peso is divided into 100
centécimos. Currency can be exchanged at banks and Money Exchange
Shops, which both offer similar exchange rates. Exchange rates tend
to fluctuate frequently. There are plenty of ATMs available in
shopping centres and attached to banks in commercial areas, but not
all cards are accepted. Credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard,
American Express and Diners Club, are widely accepted by shops and
restaurants. Travellers cheques are easiest to exchange if in US
Dollars.
Time
GMT -3 (GMT -2 from October to March).