A Journey Through Montevideo: Uruguay’s Coastal Gem

We traveled on the Buquebus ferry from Buenos Aires, which is quite convenient. We departed at 4:00 pm and reached Montevideo by 6:45 pm. All customs procedures are completed in Buenos Aires prior to departure. I suggest choosing a first-class seat (Primera), as it only costs a few dollars more than the "Turista" and Business classes.

When we arrived, it was pouring rain, so we were thankful for the hotel pick-up from the port. We stayed at the Aloft Montevideo, the sole Marriott property in Uruguay. The hotel is conveniently situated next to a mall, approximately 10 minutes from the old town. We dined at La Perdix, a nearby restaurant we discovered before our visit, and it was excellent.

The following day, we began our visit at the Mercado del Puerto. Then, we strolled to the Ciudad Vieja (Old Town). Montevideo's historic old town is renowned for its narrow streets, colonial architecture, and lively atmosphere. It's an excellent area to explore, with numerous cafes, shops, and art galleries. We concluded at Plaza Independencia, the main square in Montevideo and a central meeting place. It features a statue of the national hero General José Artigas and is surrounded by significant 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, so we couldn't visit.

After lunch, we took an Uber to the beaches east of our hotel, heading towards Punta del Este. This renowned beach resort is a 2-hour drive from Montevideo. We didn't want to travel that far, so we remained in the Carrasco neighborhood. The beach there was not very inviting and lacked amenities, so we returned to the hotel.

Before dinner, we enjoyed drinks at the Polo Bamba Skybar, situated in the Hotel Montevideo, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World collection. The atmosphere was sophisticated, and the view was lovely. We dined nearby at Tandory, which is reputed to be one of the best in the city. Unfortunately, we were disappointed with every aspect of our experience. The waiter seemed uninterested, the French chef/owner was present but did not greet guests, and the food did not live up to the decor.

We had an enjoyable time in Montevideo. Although there's not much to see, we appreciated the old town and the hospitality of the Uruguayan people.