Montevideo

Uruguay's capital on the Río de la Plata, with Art Deco architecture in the old town, grilled meat at the port market and a 22 km waterfront promenade, all at a relaxed pace.

Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay, on the north shore of the Río de la Plata estuary, about 200 km from Buenos Aires across the water. About half of the country's population (around 1.4 million) lives here. The city moves at a relaxed pace, is among the safer cities in South America, and regularly ranks near the top of Latin American livability lists. The climate is mild and humid: summer (Dec–Mar, 25–30°C/77–86°F) is best for the beaches and the waterfront promenade; autumn (Mar–May) is cool and is also grape harvest season; winter (Jun–Aug) is gray, cold and windy (5–14°C/41–57°F); in spring (Oct–Dec) the roses bloom at El Prado. Carnival, around February, lasts about 40 days and is known for candombe drumming and murga satirical troupes. Areas to explore: ① the Ciudad Vieja peninsula—Plaza Independencia, the Palacio Salvo, the Solís Theatre, Plaza Constitución, museums such as the Torres García and Andes 1972, and the Mercado del Puerto, enough for a day on foot; ② the center—Avenida 18 de Julio, the viewing deck at City Hall, the Sunday Tristán Narvaja market and the Legislative Palace; ③ the Rambla waterfront—about 22 km east past Parque Rodó, the Punta Carretas lighthouse and Pocitos beach to Carrasco, ideal for a bike ride at sunset; ④ the outskirts—the Estadio Centenario, the Prado rose garden, the Cerro de Montevideo fortress and the wineries to the north. Getting around: Carrasco International Airport is about 20 km from the city center; from China you need to connect via Europe, Brazil or Chile; from Buenos Aires you can take a ferry directly (about 2–3 hours) or go via Colonia and continue by bus. City buses cover the area well, and you can also take a taxi or Uber. Plan on 2–3 days. Prices in Uruguay are on the high side for South America; Chinese passport holders need a visa to enter Uruguay (check the latest rules from the Uruguayan embassy in China). Some old-town streets are quiet at night, so go with others or take a taxi.

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