Tourism in Uruguay
Tourism in Uruguay is one of the most important facets of the nation's economy.
Uruguay has different tourist destinations among those that stand Punta del Este, Piriápolis, Montevideo, Colonia del Sacramento, Salto, Lavalleja, Rocha, Artigas, Rivera, among others.
Nearly 1.8 million tourists arrived in 2007, and their estimated expenditures in 2007 were of around US$800 million - an increase over 2006 levels of about a third. Domestic expenditures, however, remained around 60% of the nation's tourist activity.
The following is a summary of indicators of activity in the nation's tourism sector.
| Internl. tourist arrivals 2007 | Internl. tourism receipts 2007 | Receipts per arrival 2007 / | Arrivals per capita per 1000 pop. 2007 | Receipts per capita 2007 USD | Revenues as % of exports goods and services 2007 | Tourism revenues as % GDP 2008 | % Direct & indirect employment in tourism 2008 | World Ranking 2009 |
| 1,752 | 809 | 462 | 525 | 242 | 11.9 | 3.7 | 10.0 | 63 |
Punta del Este
Punta del Este is located at the extreme southeast of the country, on a small peninsula that gives it its name and taken as conventional limit on the Uruguayan coast between Atlantic Ocean and River Plate. Its beaches are divided into Mansa, or meek, and Brava, or brave,. The name given to these beaches is because the first, to give to the River Plate and be sheltered from the winds and currents from the Atlantic Ocean, almost always presents its fairly calm waters, while the "Brava" beach, the longer ocean has a much more impetuous waves. Punta del Este is virtually connected to the city of Maldonado and eastward spread widely, encompassing La Barra and José Ignacio. It has 122 hotels, 80 restaurants, an international airport and a yacht port that can accommodate 500 boats. About 8 kilometers southeast of Punta del Este is the Lobos Island full of South American fur seals.Piriápolis
Piriápolis is a city and resort of Maldonado Department, located an hour's drive east from the capital, Montevideo. It has a fixed population of 7,579 inhabitants, although the floating population is much higher, especially between December and March. It was the first resort town in the country, today under the shadow of Punta del Este, largest and most popular. It welcomes many Argentine visitors and a growing number of Europeans, although domestic tourism is very important.The city has its axis around the Rambla de los Argentinos, a coastal avenue that takes its name from the major customers of the founder of the city, the hotels Francisco Piria. With an economy centered on tourism, the city has hotels and casinos, a very active nightlife in the summer months as well as public parks, religious centers, viewpoints, etc. In high season, you can reach Piriápolis by ferry from the port of Montevideo and Buenos Aires.
The Chapel of San Antonio, on top of the homonymous hill, one of many around the city, offers a panoramic view and can be reached by road or by air chair. For more intrepid travelers it offers the possibility to climb the third highest mountain in the country, the Pan de Azúcar, near its namesake city, about 10 km outside the resort.
Near Piriápolis are rock formations by the sea, called Punta Fría, Punta Colorada and Punta Negra, which has excellent fishing all year round. There are also white sand beaches such as San Francisco and Playa Hermosa , which are a very short distance from the resort center.
La Paloma
La Paloma is an ocean resort located at the Cape of Santa María, founded on September 1, 1874. It is located in the east in the Rocha Department. It is 240 km from Montevideo and is approximately 90 km from Punta del Este and 160 km from Chuy, a town bordering Brazil. It is known for its tranquility and its beautiful beaches, whose length is approximately 20 km. It has a permanent population of 5,300 inhabitants, but with tourist arrivals it swells to 30,000 in the summer months. The resort owes its name to that formerly the Cape Santa María was a very feared by sailors tip, and from afar because of the amount of rocks and the foam of the waves, it seems to make the outline of a dove.The homes are alpine style of French design. Most are for rent. La Paloma has different beaches with different characteristics. Some of them are La Aguada, Costa Azul, La Balconada, Anaconda y El Cabito.
In the department of Rocha, it is also a paradise for fans of Birdwatching
Punta del Diablo
The Resort Punta del Diablo was originally a small fishing village. It is located on the coast of Rocha Department. It is 298 km from Montevideo.Its beaches, framed on three rocky headlands that make up the "trident", occupy about 10 km of coastline.
Its permanent population is about 650 inhabitants, mostly fishermen and craftsmen. In summer it becomes one of the main Uruguayan resorts welcoming a large influx of Argentine, Brazilian and European tourists.
La Pedrera
La Pedrera is located at km 227.200 of Route 10, Juan Díaz de Solís, a little east of Cape of Santa María, on a narrow and small peninsula called Punta Rubia.It is a small resort with an excellent infrastructure for accommodation. It has a strong exclusive and cosmopolitan character and is ideal for family holidays. Its beaches are excellent for both rest and recreation, hosting such activities as fishing and many other water sports.
Barra del Chuy
Due to its proximity to some areas of interest such as the fortress of Santa Teresa and the eastern city of Uruguay: Chuy, and the presence of some beauties of nature as the wetlands and lagoons, the resort La Barra del Chuy is a popular site. Just 14 km from the city of Chuy, this extensive oceanic resort has open sea beaches and huge sand dunes on the coast.Its long beaches are ideal for relaxed walks. Also fans of seafood can go clamming in the sand. It is very common to see fishermen gather on the railings of the bridge linking the resort with Barra do Chui or Barra Brasilera. These activities are attractive for the whole family. This site a quiet, safe place in a completely natural environment which makes it a perfect match for the holidays.
La Coronilla
La Coronilla is a place where peace of mind is lived. Through its extensive beaches of fine sand it can feel the peace of nature.Fans to watch of marine wildlife and sport fishing, found at this site many possible embodiments. Is possible to see whales, dolphins and sea turtles from the observatories of Cerro Verde, and it can also enjoy one of nature's finest fishing in the world.
Santa Teresa
This is a National Park where, outside the summer months, you can go surfing with virtually no crowd. It is a beach frequented by Brazilian tourists.Aguas Dulces
Aguas Dulces is located at km 277,500 of Route 10, Juan Díaz de Solís. The pace resort is marked by the patients walking in the sand or in its narrow alleys, by the search for cockles on the seafront, by the time of cooking the lost grandmother's recipes or by friendly circles of mate in the late. None of this prevents, the increasingly growing, nightlife offering its bowling.Aguas Dulces is a town that survived the continuous onslaught of storms, the buildings retain its picturesque character, its main street follows the line of the sea. It is a place to relax and enjoy and relax.
Cabo Polonio
Cabo Polonio is a lovely, lonely fishing village. It owes its attraction to the magical environment thanks to its hardiness is generated and the primitive state that is its nature. The time seems stopped in this place sheltered from the civilization that preserves the peace of a lost place. No electricity, no running water, no gas, Cabo Polonio attracts each day more tourists who do not feel the lack of these services because they value the ability to disconnect from the world.What began as a small fishing village, it was getting more and more number of people that created a large increase in tourism activities. This peculiar place in the world, has a small stable population and a large floating population, but its tranquility is interrupted only by the low flight of the wombs or the howl of sea lions.
Montevideo
Montevideo is the southernmost capital city in the Americas.There are rides, outings, entertainment and various attractions. As broad green walks, both within the city and in the periphery, are featured the neighborhood Rodó Park, characterized by the large namesake park of 25 hectares; the Batlle Park, with several kilometers long situated where is the Estadio Centenario, stadium hosted the first World Cup in history, two more football stadiums and the velodrome of the city, and the running track; the neighborhood of Prado also offers ample green spaces and places worth visiting; the Cerro neighborhood, looking at the coast is the Parque Dr. Carlos Vaz Ferreira along with the Cerro golf club; in the Santiago Vazquez in western border with the department of San José, is the Parque Lecocq and south of the same the Parque Artigas.
Plaza Independencia is also a short walk from the Montevideo Esplanade. The Esplanade is one of the city's numerous waterfront districts, which also include Ramírez Beach, Pocitos, and a row of similar communities. A new terminal at Carrasco International Airport was completed in 2009, contributing to Montevideo's standing as the major city with the highest quality of life in Latin America.
For fans of equestrian sports is the Maroñas National Racecourse, where numerous races are run, being the most traditional the Premio Ramírez, which takes place every January 6.
It also has important museums standing the Torres García Museum, José Gurvich Museum, the National Museum of Visual Arts and the Juan Manuel Blanes Museum. In the grounds of the Blanes Museum it can visit a beautiful Japanese garden with a pond where are appreciated more than a hundred specimens are carps. Montevideo is the quintessential city of tango in Uruguay being the birthplace of many singers who triumphed in the River Plate.
The "shoppings" or malls is an attraction for Montevideans and tourists, who make their visits and purchases of all types of domestic and imported items and handicrafts. Several fairs ranks first the interest of visitors: Tristán Narvaja, in the central district of Cordón; Villa Biarritz and La Teja, Parque Rodó Piedras Blancas and Belvedere.
Colonia del Sacramento
Colonia del Sacramento, that locals call Colonia, is the capital of Colonia. Located a few kilometers southeast of the confluence of the Uruguay River and River Plate, its historic district has been declared a World Heritage in 1995, to illustrate the successful fusion of the Portuguese, Spanish and post-colonial styles. Because of its proximity with the city of Buenos Aires has strong bond with her. There are many travelers who come and go to that destination, as well as the inhabitants of Buenos Aires who have property there. There was a project to join both cities through a binational bridge. The unique preservation of the environment has allowed the use of its streets and exterior of several period films such as De eso no se habla of María Luisa Bemberg with Marcello Mastroianni as protagonist.The Real de San Carlos is the area on the outskirts of Colonia where the Spanish troops laid siege to the Portuguese stronghold in 1761. Its name is a tribute to the king Charles III of Spain. It has a small chapel dedicated to Benedict, the first black saint of the Catholic Church. It is now a residential area with many weekend houses, where it can enjoy quiet beaches on the River Plate of fine sand. In the Real de San Carlos was developed at the beginning of 20th century a tourist complex, by initiative of Argentine businessman Nicolás Mihanovich, today in lamentable neglect, which had a hotel-casino, bullring, fronton of basque pelota and an own power plant.
Other tourist and historical place in Colonia is the Calera de las Huérfanas, located just before the entrance to the city of Carmelo, remnants of the Jesuit Estancia de Belén.
Salto
Salto is 500 km Montevideo; it has several hot springs resorts. The most important is of Daymán 7 km from the city of Salto, which has a public resort and several private options. 10 km of this city is the Hotel Horacio Quiroga also features a thermal water park. Going along Route 5 and 70 km is the complex Arapey which has a public sector and a private sector with a Hotel. In the departamental capital there buildings of the famous Ing Eladio Dieste.Hot springs of Arapey
The Termas del Arapey are located in Salto. They are the oldest, and have the most important and professional tourist infrastructure of Uruguay.Hot springs of Daymán
Termas del Dayman are in Salto, whose waters have characteristic that can be used for therapeutic purposes, due to the combination of heat and salinity. They also have the Hydrothermal Daymán Complex, institution of high scientific and ethical standards recognized internationally.Hot springs of Salto Grande
The Termas de Salto Grande are part of the services provided by the Hotel Horacio Quiroga, in a beautiful park of 218 hectares. lakeshore. There have a multidisciplinary team of doctors who offer beauty treatments, de-stressing and overweight control.Paysandú
In the Uruguayan coast, along the Uruguay River, Paysandú is rooted land in traditions and architectural heritage of the country, festivals and sporting events, generous in delicacies where it mix the river fishing with citrus aromas and perfumes of blueberry plantations. Also in this land it emanate thermal waters that turn into fun and quality of life, and it can live fully in its Thermal Centers, served by staff who receives and serves to tourists with warmth and human quality.Hot springs of Guaviyú
The Guaviyú Thermal Centre is located in Paysandú, and has 4 circular pools and 4 pools with whirlpool jets, with direct water from the source, in an ideal natural environment for enjoy in family.Are a true oasis in a landscape dotted of "Yatay" palm trees, which provide an exotic note.
Hot springs of San Nicanor
The Termas de San Nicanor and The Estancia San Nicanor, located in the department of Paysandú, are unique in the thermal environment of the region, combining nature, pleasure and mystique of the room itself.Very close to the hot springs, there is an estancia with a thermal outdoor pool, offers accommodation, and can horseback riding, hiking and sport fishing.
Hot springs of Almirón
The thermal center Almirón is located in Paysandú, set in a landscape of rolling hills, small forests designated for the practice of ecotourism and creeks to enjoy fishing or adventure tourism.Of marine origin, these springs are the only of salt water existing in the country, and have important healing and relaxing properties.
Artigas
The Artigas Department has several touristic attractions which include: the Piedra Pintada with swimming pools, camping and fauna reserve 18 km from the capital, the park on the Cuareim river called Paseo 7 de Setiembre where is the Estadio Matías González, also with camping area and barbecue; while in the vicinity of Bella Unión are found: La Barra, the Parque General Rivera, and Los Pinos resort on the Uruguay River.Special mention have the Carnival of Artigas, which stands out from other carnivals of Uruguay, due to the link with the Brazilian Samba, infecting its rhythm, color and fun. Between 20 and 30 thousand people attend witness each year, being the pillar in tourist attraction of the department.
Another point of future tourist attraction are its hot springs, which to date have not been exploited commercially, but have great potential due to the triple frontier: Uruguay-Brasil-Argentina.
Lavalleja
Lavalleja is one of the departments of the country with most scenic variations, but is recognized as the center of mountain tourism in Uruguay. The landscape stretches along the la Cuchilla Grande and its branches which are surrounded by rivers, streams, creeks and waterfalls.A great tourist attraction of the department is Villa Serrana, known as "La Villa" and the product of an urban planning of architect. Julio Vilamajó. There it can visit the Mesón de las Cañas, the Ventorrillo de la Buena Vista, the Dam Stewart Vargas and adding the wide range of holiday cottages.
It also find unmissable places of Lavalleja like the Salus Park with its source of cougar, big Penitente Waterfall, the luxurious Holiday Park UTE y ANTEL, Camping Arequita with its wide range of amenities, Lake and Hill de los Cuervos, Camping and Dam Aguas Blancas, beautiful Buddhist temples, Gold Mine, the amazing Hill Arequita with its large caves, Hill and Sanctuary Verdun, tourist estancias, the former Castle Batlle, the mysterious Hilo de la Vida, Complex Entre Sierras; and other many attractive places.
Undoubtedly, its capital Minas is a thread very important for Lavallejino tourism. Within the Urban Grid of the city found the luxurious Theatre Lavalleja are its great hall and its museum of the cartoon, the Parque Rodo with its large variety of amenities, the Park and Dam of OSE with big green land, the Zorrilla Park, the Fabini Park, the Rambla Estér Moré, the beautiful and historic Plaza Libertad, the House of Culture where is maintained the birthplace of Juan Antonio Lavalleja and also has with many museums, the Park and Hill Artigas with the world's largest equestrian statue in honor of Jose Gervasio Artigas, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Minas; and other attractions.
Durazno
The departament is located in the center of the country, it is bordered by the Department of Flores, Florida, Río Negro, Tacuarembó, Cerro Largo and Treinta y Tres.The tourism in the department offers various veins: massive cultural artistic activities, tourism of camping and beach on the Yí River, tourism of estancias and tourism in relation to historical, architectural or other heritage. These veins it complement because, for example, visitors arriving to the Pilsen Rock or the festival de folclore also usually concur to camping and/or the beach.
The mentioned camping is called "33 Orientales", is located in beach El Sauzal on the shores of Yí River, and has a dense native forest.
From the point of view of heritage tourism are highlighted the cave paintings nearby streams Maestre Campo and Chamangá and the Chapel Farruco, one of the oldest colonial buildings of Uruguay.
Tacuarembó
At north of the country, is the most widespread department of Uruguay. In it, it highlight the Iporá Resort and Valle Edén, near the city of Tacuarembó, and San Gregorio de Polanco, with its murals, made by some of the most important Uruguayan artists, and its sandy beach on shores of Artificial Lake Rincón de Bonete. Valle Edén attracts a special attraction for visitors in search of the birthplace of Carlos Gardel.Rivera
is located north of the Uruguay, is a department that is in a big commercial boom, its main source of tourism is shopping tourism, based on duty-free shops; there are currently approximately 70 duty-free shops in the city and in 2012 a shopping mall, Siñeriz Shopping, was opened. Two more shopping malls are scheduled to begin construction.In the department there is also ecotourism, such as the Lunarejo, which was recently named Protected Area.