MONTEVIDEO...
Welcome to
the capital of Candombe...
Montevideo - capital of Uruguay - has all the charm of an old-European city.
It's sophisticated, multicultural and has a great cultural scene with a lively atmosphere.
Parks, plazas, museums, theaters, live music, great cuisine, lots of tango, mate and gaucho celebrations and above all, a unique musical rhythm that characterizes Uruguay as a whole: "Candombe".
Candombe is the traditional rhythm of Afro-Uruguayan culture, the result of the merging of cultures following the arrival of African slaves in 18th. century.
You will listen to the sound of drums just about every day, particularly over the week-ends, when "La Llamada" (The Call) takes place in the city's old black neighborhoods of Sur and Palermo, the birthplace of Carnival comparsas.
Llamada (the call)is a dialog between drums that calls on the neighbors to join in, when "Cuerdas de Tambores" (Drum Corps) march to the sound of drums along the streets of the city to a meeting point.
Electrifying, sensual, passionate, you can't help but to join in and vibrate along with it.
Montevideo's carnival celebration is a party you wouldn't want to miss, particularly the first Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
You will see Comparsa Negra (Black Comparsa) or Carnaval Lubola, a ritual with profound religious content closely related to the cult of Candombe.
Its main characters are...
- Mama vieja (Old mama)
- Gramillero (Herb man)
- Escobero (Broom man)
The best way to discover the city is walking through Ciudad Vieja (Old City), that you enter by crossing Puerta de la Ciudadela.
You will appreciate its unique architecture, a blend of colonial Spanish, Italian and Art Deco styles.
And please don't miss the Mercado del Puerto (Port market), the place to eat Uruguay's most popular sandwich: Chivito.
Chivito is the unofficial national dish, an extravagant steak sandwich on bread, with cheese, bacon, tomatoes, lettuce and roasted red peppers.
After having one, you won't ask for a hamburger anymore.
Tristan Narvaja fair is a landmark in Montevideo's Cordon neighborhood that takes place on Sundays.
The city's flea market where you can find just about anything you can think of.
It reminds us Madrid's Rastro fair,in the vicinity of Plaza Mayor.
On Saturdays, check in at Villa Biarritz fair, in Parque Zorrilla de San Martin.
Other city attractions include...
- Iglesia Matriz
- Teatro Solis
- National History Museum
- Museo Joaquin Torres Garcia
- Fortaleza del Cerro
- Cabildo de Montevideo
- Museo del Gaucho y de la Moneda
- Palacio de Gobierno
- Palacio Zabala
- Palacio Taranco
- Plaza Zabala
- Palacio Estevez
Would you like to take a virtual tour of Montevideo?...(in Spanish)
La Rambla goes along the city's waterfront.
Several beaches are spread throughout 22 km (13.6 miles)...
- Ramirez
- Pocitos
- Malvin
- Verde y de la Mulata
- Honda y de los Ingleses
- Punta Gorda
- Carrasco
- Miramar
The name Montevideo comes from the Portuguese "Monte-vide-eu", which means "I see a hill".
It was born as San Felipe y Santiago de Montevideo and founded between 1724-1730 by Spanish Governor of Buenos Aires Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, to counter the Portuguese colony of Colonia del Sacramento.
The Spanish Crown needed to secure the area against Portuguese infiltration from Brazil.
In 1828, Uruguay's independence took place and Montevideo became the nation's capital.
How To Get There:
Coming from abroad, you will arrive through Carrasco International Airport -19 km (12 miles) from Montevideo city center, the biggest in Uruguay.
If you are in Buenos Aires, just go to Aeroparque and get a Pluna flight - pretty short one, less than one hour.
You could come by ferry instead.
From Buenos Aires port there are several ferries on a daily basis.
Please check Buquebusfor details (site in Spanish).
Where to Stay:
Montevideo has all the comfort and luxury as any worldwide capital city.
For budget accommodation, there is also an array of possibilities that includes...
- Ciudad Vieja Hostel:
Ituzaingo 1436 - Red Hostel Montevideo:
San Jose 1406 (Corner Santiago de Chile) - Montevideo Hostel:
Canelones 935 - Che Lagarto Hostel:
Calle Plaza Independencia 713
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