What’s up With Montevideo?

So many vacationers in Buenos Aires are looking for a weekend getaway, and Montevideo provides the perfect backdrop.

The colonial city of Montevideo, Uruguay is often skipped over when people come to visit South America – namely Buenos Aires – but a day or two in this lovely, waterfront city may have you thinking twice about spending all your time in Buenos Aires.  There are many upscale and interesting things to do and sights to be seen………….

The biggest draw for visitors to Montevideois La Rambla, a 22 kilometer-long stretch of waterside roadway.  All along the Rambla you will find people at all hours of the day, eating, drinking mate, biking, fishing or enjoying the views.

The famous and charming neighborhood of Pocitos, which lies a short two miles away from the center, begins at the highrise apartments that line La Rambla, and offer great views to the water and the beach.  Further inland from the coast you run into a pleasant older part of the neighborhood where you can find the Punta Carretas Shopping, a huge mall that was actually built atop ruins of an old prison.  Inside the mall you can actually see the prison door still standing.

For dining the two most note-worthy restaurants in Montevideo are Cru and Montecristo.  Cru is often considered Montevideo’s finest restaurant with a menu consisting of modern spins on traditional Uruguayan cuisine.  Montecristo, located in the Pocitos neighborhood, is not only delicious, offering innovative dishes, but draws patrons with its ambience.  It is in a castle-like building which was formerly the house of a noted alchemist.

It is very easy to get to Montevideo from Buenos Aires by either plane or boat, and a very nice weekend getaway to enjoy the beaches, cuisine and charming small city feel.