Uruguay 2025

Uruguay 2025

Uruguay is one of the smallest and one of the wealthiest countries in South America.   Nestled on the Atlantic coast between Brazil and Argentina, it has a population of 3.5 million people, GDP of about $77B USD, GDP per capita about $20,000 (2023), PPP per capita of ~$30,000, the most equal income distribution of all South American countries, a low infant mortality rate of 6 deaths per 1,000 live births, and an average life expectancy of about 78 years.  A progressive, modern country and an interesting place to visit

I made two day trips to Uruguay while we were in Buenos Aires:  One day to visit Montevideo, Uruguay's Capital City, and another day to visit Colonia del Sacramento, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Montevideo is located along the south central coast of Uruguay, at the "mouth" of the Rio de la Plata.  Brazil is to the north of Uruguay; Argentina is to the west; the Atlantic Ocean and Antarctica are to the south.  The river is 120 km / 70 miles wide if you go southwest and straight across from Montevideo to  Argentina;  the city is about 200 km / 120 miles from Buenos Aires.  While I was in BA, I decided to take a long one day trip by ferry across the river (2.5 hours each way by fast ferry) and explore the city with about eight other visitors on a ferry-sponsored bus tour.

Montevideo is the capital city of Uruguay, pop 1.3 million (3.5 million total in Uruguay).  It is located along the south central coast of Uruguay, at the "mouth" of the Rio de la Plata.  Brazil is to the north of Uruguay; Argentina is to the west; the Atlantic Ocean and Antarctica are to the south.  

The river is 120 km / 70 miles wide between Montevideo to the nearest point (southwest) in Argentina, and the city is about 200 km / 120 miles from Buenos Aires.  

We were shown around the city by a friendly and helpful bilingual narrator.  We drove past many buildings and parts of town, and stopped six times to explore buildings or features of interest. 

Uruguay Parliament Building

Mercado Agrícola de Montevideo (The Farmer's Market)

The Presidencia:  the president's administrative center

Old Town Street Views

The Old Town Metropolitan Cathedral

Inside Montevideo's Cathedral

The Canadian Embassy

University of Uruguay

Monument to the Carreta ("The Cart," a primary form of transportation in earlier times), in the Parque Batlle

La Rambla is a 22 km / 13 mile uninterrupted promenade that follows the Rio de la Plata shoreline.  This is a beachfront public space that is probably Montevideo's most popular social hangout.  This social/cultural feature is currently being considered for UNESCO World Heritage listing.

Along La Rambla

The Sign, along La Rambla

Customs and Administration Building; Port of Montevideo.  The beginning and end of our visit to Uruguay

We also made a day trip from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento, a well preserved old settlement in Uruguay.  The old part of town was a piece of prime coastal real estate, and control of the town flipped back and forth between the Portuguese and the Spanish for three centuries before becoming part of Uruguay when they declared their independence in 1828.  Our guide pointed out contrasting Portuguese and Spanish design and engineering characteristics in our visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site.  This is the gate to the historic district

Colonia del Sacramento was awarded a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 1995 because of its well-preserved historic quarter, which showcases a unique blend of Portuguese and Spanish colonial architecture, reflecting the city's complex history as a frontier settlement between the two empires, making it a remarkable example of European colonial urban planning from the late 17th century. 

The city's urban layout and buildings demonstrate a distinct mix of Portuguese and Spanish colonial styles, resulting from repeated power shifts between the two empires.  As one of the first European settlements in the Río de la Plata region, Colonia del Sacramento provides a tangible representation of early colonial life in South America.  The historic quarter has maintained its original structure and scale, including cobblestone streets, plazas, and fortifications, preserving the essence of its colonial past.  (AI overview by ChatGPT)

V-sloped streets without sidewalks were designed by the Portuguese; the shape helped drain water and waste down the center of the street to the river.  Spanish designers preferred streets with crests in the center and sidewalks along the edges.  Thi9s design created two drainage channels, one on each side of the street, and sidewalks to make walking without getting met much easier

This 19th century lighthouse was built on top of and beside the ruins of the 17th-century Convent of San Francisco

The Mother Church, the Basilica of the Blessed Sacrament, the oldest church in Uruguay

Front of the Basilica

Inside the Basilica

Colonia del Sacramento Street Scene

Casa de Nacarello – an 18th-century Portuguese house, now a cultural museum

Along the Calle de los Suspiros (Street of Sighs).  It starts at the Plaza Mayor and continues on a slope to the Río de la Plata. It is a narrow street with Portuguese characteristics, with wedge paving and no sidewalks. The sides are inclined towards the center to form a drainage channel. 

The houses, built in the first half of the 18th century,  have stone walls, tiled roofs and ceramic floors. The doors and windows are small and made of wood. Although only houses with gabled roofs remain, there were also three- and four-gabled houses.

A stunning sunset on the ferry ride back to Buenos Aires.  A fine day trip!  

More pics and info here:  

Montevideo:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/soP8dMYgPZ8ZFiV69

Colonia del Sacramento:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/v8hcsH4Q4Sm9ATAR7