General Info
GATE TO THE MERCOSUR
Land of extensive pastures and easy rolling country, farms, gauchos and tango.
Uruguay is located in the Southern Cone of South America, with neighbouring countries as Brazil in the North and Northeast, Argentina in the West and the River Plate and Atlantic Ocean in the South and Southeast. Uruguay has a territory of 176.215 sq.kms, and 3.300.000 inhabitants, with a high literacy reaching 97 % of the population. With a temperate and generally stable climate, the main industry and commercial export is based on cattle and farming produce. The country along with neighboring Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile, is located within one of the largest livestock regions in the world. As a result of sucessive European inmigrations, Uruguayan Society is very cosmopolitan. With a democratic government elected every 5 years by free elections, Uruguayan open society promotes non discrimination and tolerance of all religions and political ideals.
Ciudadela Gate
Montevideo aereo
Punta del Este Seaside
HOW TO GET TO URUGUAY
Major international airlines have direct or connecting flights to Carrasco International Airport, in the capital city of Montevideo, only 120 kms away from Punta del Este, or to Punta del Este International Airport. Major international airlines arrive in Uruguay connecting either in Rio de Janeiro (2.45 hs) or Sao Paulo (2.20 hs) in Brazil, or in Buenos Aires (― hs.), Argentina. International flying time from Europe, the USA, Australia or New Zealand (in the transpolar flights) range between 8 and 11 hours.
BIENVENIDO A URUGUAY - WELCOME TO URUGUAY
Its proximity to the ocean and the lack of topografic barriers make the weather in Uruguay semi-humid.
Winter temperatures (June-September) average 10°C to 16°C. Autumn temperatures (March-June) are from around 16ºC to 22ºC in average
An even climate and relatively short distances allow you varied and year-round activities. From its hills and vast praires, you can always gaze as far as the horizon...
Montevideo
The capital of Uruguay is a feast for lovers of culture. With museums, theatres, exhibitions, shows and popular feasts, Montevideo has an intense agenda all year round and the city itself is a collection of art, history and entertainment.
Beaches
Lonely or crowded beaches, noisy or silent, with huge waves or calm waters. In Uruguay there is room for everyone and every taste. There is also a great variety of river beaches and lake resorts for those who seek a peaceful holiday.
Cattle Farms
There is a varied offer for spending a day or more at inns, dairy farms, cattle farms or countryside hotels.
The "estancias" can be enjoyed all the year round. The main activity is horseback riding. Spend some days in the country galloping on one of the magnificent "criollo" horses. Guests can watch or take part in the herding of cattle, sowing or harvesting, branding or shearing.
Enviroment
Relatively short distances and an even climate allow varied, year-round activities for the nature-lovers.
From its hills and vast praires, you can always gaze as far as the horizon.
Carnival
The country's most typical festival is Carnival - the longest in the world - , which combines original music with choreographic forms, like the "murgas" and the exciting drum-beating "candombe".
Did you know that.....?
The name "Uruguay" comes from Guaraní, the language of the native people of the region. It means "river of the painted birds."
Mate (spelled "maté" in English to make it clear that the final e is to be pronounced) is Uruguayan tipical bewery. It is a tea-like beverage brewed from the dried leaves and stemlets of a perennial tree called "Yerba Mate". In Uruguay it is not uncommon to see people walking around the streets toting a mate and a thermos with hot water.
Uruguay is a land of water. More than 95% of their electricity is made by water.
Half of the Uruguayan population is of Italian origin. Some 88% of the population is of European descent, with mestizos (8%) and blacks (4%) forming the only significant ethnic minorities.
The most famous tango, La Cumparsita, has Uruguayan origins. As a matter of fact, it was at the cafe 'La Giralda' in Montevideo that in 1917, a young man, Mr. Gerardo Matos, gave the famous piece anonimously to the Roberto Firpo band, who played it there for first time. Then the band travel to France where the song became a major hit.
Visa information
Valid passports are required for all delegates not members of the MERCOSUR
(Southern Common Market).
Visa are required for the following countries: Albania, Bulgaria, Egypt, Eslovaquia, Guyana, India, Morocco, Popular Republic of Corea, South Corea and Russia.
Other countries will not requiere visas, but it is advisable to make enquiries at the nearest Uruguayan diplomatic offices.