Did you know Montevideo is a UNESCO City of Literature? Me neither! Uruguay’s capital city is full of independent bookshops, and, along with Buenos Aires, is the birthplace of the tango! 💃  Not everyone’s heard of Montevideo yet, but just you wait! 🇺🇾

Here’s a couple of suggestions of what to do when you visit, and I’ve added an easy guide to getting to the airport at the end, too!

 

Plaza Independencia / Palacio Salvo

Look up anything about Montevideo, and this is the first thing you’ll see. Beautiful Independence Square with the very stylish Salvo Palace. Not actually a palace, this iconic building was intended to be a very nice hotel, but is now home to the Tango Museum amongst apartments and offices.

 

Mercado del Puerto

The Port Market is the place to go for any souvenirs. There’s a little centre that has multiple shops (mostly) selling the same things, but the prices are very different in each shop, so visit them all first and buy last!

 

Rambla de Montevideo

I have an addiction to walking. I can’t help myself. So when I learned there’s a 22km promenade along the coast of the city, I was exciiited!

Everybody hangs out there! Day or night, there’s people jogging, sitting with friends, and of course, the main event – drinking Mate.

 

Yerba Mate (tea)

I was aware that marijuana use was legal in Uruguay, and the city has a relaxed vibe. I honestly just thought everyone was smoking. But then I saw it was EVERY person; young, old, families, couples.

TURNS OUT that’s not what it is AT ALL.  They have a little “toolkit” for the tea they carry around with them. It just happens to be a green herb they mix with hot water and drink through a straw (not a pipe, Maria!) 😂

I wanted to try some mate without the commitment of buying a huge pack. There’s a café called Bar Facal and it’s on their menu. I couldn’t really find it anywhere else. The staff there were very sweet to me and my… awkwardness. They showed me how to steep the herb properly, the right amount of water, etc. I sat there, looking out of the window, with a slight buzz going on. If you get the chance, give it a try!

 

Getting to Carrasco International Airport

I had an afternoon flight, so I decided I had the time to chance some public transport to the airport. It was surprisingly easy, but I did have to do my research first!

The bus company is called Copsa and it’s the number #710. Now, there were a couple of other numbers going the same direction, but I took the 710 from Paysandú (Rio Branco) and know for sure that you will get to the airport! Otherwise I wouldn’t be here writing this. 😝 It cost me 704.98 pesos, which is €15, and takes approximately 45 mins.