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Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay, is a lush Spanish paradise located on the east bank of the Rio de la Plata. With its roots in Spanish culture, Montevideo is never short of exciting sights or historic buildings. Have a longing for adventure, history, and fun in the sun? Then Montevideo is your perfect place to plan your wild spring break. StudentUniverse.com can get you great prices on cheap student airfare.

Montevideo Pictures

Things to do in Montevideo

Be sure to check out Ciudad Vieja, Montevideo’s Old Town. You can get there by entering through the Puerta de la Ciudadela. Also be sure to see the Plaza de Independecia, a square at the end of 18 de Julio Ave. and the main commercial artery of the city. next to Plaza Indepencia is the Palacio Salvo. Once South America’s highest building, the Palacio Salvo still dominates Montevideo’s skyline. You can take an elevator to the top at no cost for an excellent view of the city. Also be sure to check out the Mausoleo de Artigas. This large monument in the Plaza de Independencia pays tribute to Jose Gervasio Artigas, one of the heroes of the Uruguayan Independence. Lastly, e sure to check out the National History Museum, which has interesting exhibits and artifacts from the country’s history and no entrance fee. If you’re more of the outdoorsy type then try going to The Ramble, a water roadway where many locals, bike, fish, and enjoy the great outdoors. With 14 miles of coastline and a beautiful sunset, what more could you want?

Nightlife in Montevideo

There are bars and clubs throughout the city. Montevideo is a walking city, so go out and explore! The best drinks to get while in Montevideo have to be El Mate, you can find it anywhere in the city. Mate is derived from the herb yerba that was originally used by the indigenous Guarani living near the Rio de la Plata. Most city-dwellers prefer their drink without sugar, and drink it constantly.

Dining in Montevideo

Uruguay is renowned for its meats, and Montevideo has many parrillas where they are grilled up to perfection. There’s also the Chivito, a local sandwich made with meat and vegetables. What’s a meal without dessert? Caramel is a big part of the desserts in Uruguay and every restaurant has a huge menu. The best places to go are Cru, considered Montevideo’s finest restaurant, Don Pepperone, La Pasiva, Le Corte, Mercado del Puerto, and Montecristo. Montevideo also has tons of sidewalk cafes around the city where you can find great food at low prices.

Shopping in Montevideo

The main market in Montevido is the Mercado de los Artesanos, located on the corner of Paraguary and Colonia streets. There’s many different artists and craftspeople who converge there and sell products made from leather, paper, wood, and various textiles. There’s also the Montevideo Leather Factory, Manos del Uruguay, and Puna Carretas Shopping Mall, all a great choice when going out to shop.

Montevideo Travel Tips

• Spanish is the predominant language.
• Montevideo has a very arid climate during the summer.
• There is smog in the city during the summer.