We took the Buquebus boat ferry from Buenos Aires. It’s very convenient. We left at 4:00pm and arrived in Montevideo at 6:45pm. The custom formalities are all done in Buenos Aires before departing. I recommend opting for a first-class seat (Primera), which just costs a few dollars more than the “Turista” and Business classes.
It was raining heavily when we arrived, and we were glad that we had a hotel pick-up from the port. We stayed at the Aloft Montevideo, the only Marriott property in Uruguay. The hotel is located next to a mall, so it is a convenient location about 10 minutes from the old town.
We had dinner nearby at La Perdix, a very good restaurant that we found before our visit.
The next day we started our visit in the Mercado del Puerto. Afterwards we walked to the Ciudad Vieja (Old Town). The historic old town of Montevideo is known for its narrow streets, colonial architecture, and vibrant atmosphere. It's a great place to explore, filled with cafes, shops, and art galleries. We ended at Plaza Independencia, the main square in Montevideo and a central gathering point. It features a statue of national hero General José Artigas and is surrounded by important buildings, including the Solis Theatre and the Executive Tower. The Teatro Solis is one of the oldest theaters in the Americas. Unfortunately, it was closed that day and we were unable to visit.
After lunch we took an Uber to the beaches located east of our hotel, in the direction of Punta del Este. This famous beach resort is a 2-hour drive from Montevideo. We did not want to go that far so we stayed in the Carrasco neighborhood. The beach is not very welcoming, and they do not have any amenities, so we went back to the hotel.
Before dinner we had drinks at the Polo Bamba Skybar, located in the Hotel Montevideo, member of The Leading Hotels of the World collection. The atmosphere is elegant and the view very nice. We had dinner nearby at Tandory restaurant, supposed to be one of the best in the city. We were disappointed with all aspects of our experience. The waiter did not act like he wanted to be there, the French chef/owner was on property, but never came by to greet the guests, and the food did not match the decor.
We had a good time in Montevideo. There is not a lot to see, but we enjoyed the old town and the hospitality of the Uruguayans.