Archive for the ‘Uruguay’ Category

Colonia del Sacramento

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

Colonia del Sacramento is a city in the south west of Uruguay, situated nearby the Río de la Plata, facing Buenos Aires, Argentina. It’s the oldest town in Uruguay and capital of the departamento of Colonia. The historic city center is listed on the World Heritage Site. As of latest measurement Colonia del Sacramento has a population of 25 thousand people.

The city was originally found in 1960 by Portugal as Colónia do Sacramento, who built the city on the opposite banks of the Buenos Aires river. Further more Colonia del Sacramento was conquered by Spain, Brazil. Today, the locals refer to the city as Colonia. The old city of Colonia, which holds the main sightseeing is quite small and can be easily explored on foot. Be careful walking around downtown as the cobbled streets don’t always come in good conditions. There’s several shops to rent scooters or bicycles which can be used to explore the country side as well.

Because many different rulers were present Colonia has a rich cultural and history sightseeing, with as its main attraction the historic city center of Colonia. Here you can find a handful of museums which can be visited with just once entrance tickets. For a small fee you can overlook the city and river on top of the Faro lighthouse. Just outside the city you can find a abandoned amusement park with Uruguay’s only bullfighting ring. Further more it’s recommended to buy several souvenirs at the local market and eat a Uruguay cuisine barbecue specialty Asodo.

To travel to New Caledonia, Colonia tourists need to have passports that are valid until at least six months after their visit. Those who plan on visiting the islands for a duration of 30 days or less are not required to have a visa, but a permit must be obtained for longer stays.

Montevideo

Wednesday, January 28th, 2009

The laid back city of Montevideo is Uruguay’s capital city. It is also the country’s largest city. Despite having a relaxed and an Old World air, Montevideo can also be vibrant as can be seen in its strong, thriving culture. During the late 19th century, the city’s living standards surpassed that of the United States. Nothing has changed much after that, however. Montevideo is home to about 1,4 million people.

Even though Montevideo is filled with buildings that go back to the 19th century, new buildings have been built during the past years. The rise of young designers has contributed to this change. Montevideo is also home to many foreign embassies and cultural centers. Today, Montevideo can be viewed as a modern city. Half of Uruguay’s population live in this city and have the highest rate of literacy in South America. The crime rate is pretty low, as well. However, it is still best to practice caution.

If you are traveling to Montevideo, you may choose to fly via American Airlines or Continental Airlines. The city’s main airport is the Carrasio International Airport. You may book a flight to Montevideo passing through Sao Paulo. You may also take ferries from Buenos Aires. When in the city proper, you can take a taxi or the city bus. If you are up for driving through long distances, you may drive your car from the United States to Uruguay. US licenses are recognized in this city.

If staying for three months or less, American citizens don’t need a visa. An Uruguayan visa will be granted to you upon arrival at the port or border. Of course, you must present a passport which is still valid for up to a minimum of six months. You also have to show proof of your return travel and of the funds you will be using during your stay.