Tourism in Uruguay
Encyclopedia
Tourism
in Uruguay
is an important facet of the nation's economy
.
Relative to its modest land area and population, Uruguay is both a popular international tourism destination and home to a vigorous, domestic tourist trade. 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.
Uruguay is home to numerous scenic shores, fishing and hunting areas, hot springs, horse and cattle ranches open for visitors, small towns rich in colonial and early national architectural heritage, and an extensive metropolitan area.
, which includes Uruguay's eastern-most Atlantic approaches. Notable tourist destinations in the area include the oceanfront communities of Cabo Polonio
, La Paloma
and Punta del Diablo
- all of which have attracted growing interest and investment since around 1990.
is home to numerous well-known beachfront tourist destinations, including Piriápolis
, Punta Colorada
, the Isla de Lobos
, and the most popular and developed of Uruguay's beach towns, Punta del Este
. Growing steadily from the 1896 opening of Antonio Lussich
's botanical garden, Punta del Este today hosts around one million visitors during the summertime high season (December through February).
Among the surrounding area's chief points of interest, perhaps the best-known is Casapueblo
, sculptor Carlos Páez Vilaró's residence, hotel and atelier. Páez Vilaró began his "livable sculpture" in 1958, sometimes adding a new room to host a particular friend. Its Punta Ballena setting is also a popular hang gliding
spot.
A number of beach towns in Canelones Department
are collectively known as Uruguay's Gold Coast. Known for their sand dunes and the rows of maritime pine
s planted after 1908 to help prevent beach erosion, these communities have benefited from both their tranquility and proximity to the nation's capital, Montevideo
.
The nation's cultural and economic nerve center, as well as home to 2 out of 5 Uruguayans, Montevideo
is home to a rich and diverse architectural and cultural heritage. Its Old City
and remains of the colonial-era citadel are within steps of Plaza Independencia
, the President's offices at the Estévez Palace
, Solís Theatre
and the opulent, Italian Gothic Palacio Salvo
. The plaza is at the western end of the 18th of July Avenue
, the setting for a variety of art deco
and belle époque
architecture as it passes through Cagancha and Fabini Plazas. Fabini Plaza also leads to the diagonal Libertador Avenue, known for its upscale highrises, rationalist architecture and, at its northern end, the General Assembly of Uruguay
.
Plaza Independencia is also a short walk from the Montevideo Esplanade
. The Esplanade (Rambla) is one of the city's numerous waterfront districts, which also include Ramírez Beach (home to the Mercosur
Common Market headquarters), Pocitos
, and a row of similar communities. Work is currently advancing on a new terminal at Carrasco International Airport
, contributing to Montevideo's standing as the major city with the highest quality of life in Latin America.
, such as Salto
, Fray Bentos
and Paysandú
have long been known for their fishing and river boating activities. The surrounding alluvial plain
s has been interest to ecotourism
. The vast expanse of countryside to the west has hosted increasing numbers of visitors, as well. Numerous reservoirs and natural lakes, such as the Laguna del Sauce
, host fishing and windsurfing
pastimes, and Uruguay's Río Negro
is favored by canoe
rs. Numerous others, such as the Yí
and Tacuarembó Rivers, also include stretches apt for white water rafting.
Uruguay's farming and ranching tradition has helped foster rural tourism
in recent decades. Numerous ranches (Posta del Chuy
, for example) have created inns and some also include restaurants that feature each establishment's artisanal jams, cheeses, meats and wines. Uruguay is home to a growing wine
industry, and numerous orchards welcome tourists, as well as connoisseurs.
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
in Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
is an important facet of the nation's economy
Economy of Uruguay
Economy of Uruguay is characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated work force, and high levels of social spending. After averaging growth of 5% annually during 1996-98, in 1999-2002 the economy suffered a major downturn, stemming largely from the spillover effects of the...
.
Overview
The following is a summary of indicators of activity in the nation's tourism sector.
| Internl. tourist arrivals 2007 (x1000) |
Internl. tourism receipts 2007 (million USD) |
Receipts per arrival 2007 (col 2)/(col 1) (USD) |
Arrivals per capita per 1000 pop. (estimated) 2007 |
Receipts per capita 2007 USD |
Revenues as % of exports goods and services 2007 |
Tourism revenues as % GDP 2007 |
% Direct & indirect employment in tourism 2007 |
World Ranking (Tourism Competi tiveness) 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,752 | 809 | 462 | 525 | 242 | 18.0 | 4.1 | 10.9 | 1 |
Attractions
Atlantic Shore
Uruguay's Atlantic coast remains a relatively untapped and unspoiled tourist resource. Its most remote beaches can generally be found in the country's Rocha DepartmentRocha Department
Rocha is a department in the east of Uruguay. It has natural beauties like Cabo Polonio, Valizas, Santa Teresa. Rocha is well known for its beach towns which swell during the summer holidays...
, which includes Uruguay's eastern-most Atlantic approaches. Notable tourist destinations in the area include the oceanfront communities of Cabo Polonio
Cabo Polonio
Cabo Polonio is a caserío located in the eastern coast of Uruguay in the Rocha Department.Cabo Polonio has no roads leading to it and is located about 7 km from the main highway. It is accessible by walking through the dunes or by 4x4 vehicles...
, La Paloma
La Paloma, Uruguay
La Paloma is a town in the Rocha Department of southeastern Uruguay. It is located on Km. 244 of Route 10 and on its junction with Route 15, on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, about southwest of La Pedrera and northeast of Faro José Ignacio of the Maldonado Department. Its status was elevated to...
and Punta del Diablo
Punta del Diablo
Punta del Diablo is a village and seaside locality in Uruguay, Rocha Department, east from the capital Montevideo. According to the 2004 census, its permanent population consisted of 389 inhabitants, mostly fishermen and artisans, while during high tourism season, the population swells to...
- all of which have attracted growing interest and investment since around 1990.
Maldonado and Canelones
Uruguay's Maldonado DepartmentMaldonado Department
The Maldonado Department , with an area of and 140,192 inhabitants, is located to the southeast of Uruguay. Its capital is Maldonado.-Geography and climate:...
is home to numerous well-known beachfront tourist destinations, including Piriápolis
Piriápolis
Piriápolis is a city in the Maldonado Department of Uruguay. It is located on the coast of Río de la Plata, on Route 10 and its intersection with Route 37. It is about east of the national capital, Montevideo . Piriápolis is an important summer resort in the country, predating the larger and more...
, Punta Colorada
Punta Colorada
Punta Colorada is a small peninsula and a resort in the Maldonado Department of Uruguay. The resort is located on the peninsula, to the east of Piriápolis, west of the resort Punta Negra and about to the west of Punta del Este....
, the Isla de Lobos
Isla de Lobos
The Isla de Lobos is a small island located about southeast of Punta del Este . An islet lies east of the island.- Geography :The island is an outcropping of rocks that is a continuation of the Cuchilla Grande, in an area of Atlantic Ocean immediately at the mouth of the estuary of Río de la Plata...
, and the most popular and developed of Uruguay's beach towns, Punta del Este
Punta del Este
Punta del Este is a resort town on the Atlantic Coast in the Maldonado Department of southeastern Uruguay. It is located on the intersection of Route 10 with Route 39, directly southeast of the department capital Maldonado and about east of Montevideo...
. Growing steadily from the 1896 opening of Antonio Lussich
Antonio Lussich
Antonio Dionisio Lussich was an Uruguayan sailor, arboricultorist and writer.-Family background:...
's botanical garden, Punta del Este today hosts around one million visitors during the summertime high season (December through February).
Among the surrounding area's chief points of interest, perhaps the best-known is Casapueblo
Casapueblo
Casapueblo is the house of noted Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró located in Punta Ballena near Punta del Este, Uruguay. It is a homage to the artist's son Carlitos Paez, one of the sixteen survivors of the crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571...
, sculptor Carlos Páez Vilaró's residence, hotel and atelier. Páez Vilaró began his "livable sculpture" in 1958, sometimes adding a new room to host a particular friend. Its Punta Ballena setting is also a popular hang gliding
Hang gliding
Hang gliding is an air sport in which a pilot flies a light and unmotorized foot-launchable aircraft called a hang glider ....
spot.
Canelones Department
The Canelones Department , with an area of and 485,240 inhabitants, is located to the south of Uruguay. Its capital is Canelones.-Geography and climate:...
are collectively known as Uruguay's Gold Coast. Known for their sand dunes and the rows of maritime pine
Maritime Pine
Pinus pinaster, the Maritime Pine, is a pine native to the western and southwestern Mediterranean region. The pejorative name 'pinaster' is derived from pinus + aster, translating as 'a poor imitation of a pine' Pinus pinaster, the Maritime Pine, is a pine native to the western and southwestern...
s planted after 1908 to help prevent beach erosion, these communities have benefited from both their tranquility and proximity to the nation's capital, Montevideo
Montevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
.
Montevideo
Montevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
is home to a rich and diverse architectural and cultural heritage. Its Old City
Ciudad Vieja, Montevideo
Ciudad Vieja is the name of the oldest part of the city of Montevideo, capital city of Uruguay. Nowadays, Ciudad Vieja is a barrio of this city. In the last couple of years it has gone through a major transformation that has made it the main nightlife centre in town...
and remains of the colonial-era citadel are within steps of Plaza Independencia
Plaza Independencia
Plaza Independencia is the name of Montevideo's most important plaza. It splits Ciudad Vieja from downtown Montevideo, with the Gateway of The Citadel on one side and the beginning of 18 de Julio avenue on the other....
, the President's offices at the Estévez Palace
Estévez Palace
The Estévez Palace, or Palacio Estévez, is the oldest working place of the President of Uruguay...
, Solís Theatre
Solís Theatre
Solis Theatre is Uruguay's oldest theatre. It was built in 1856 and is currently owned by the government of Montevideo. It is located in Plaza Independencia ....
and the opulent, Italian Gothic Palacio Salvo
Palacio Salvo
Palacio Salvo is a building in Montevideo, Uruguay, located at the intersection of 18 de Julio Avenue and Plaza Independencia. It was designed by the architect Mario Palanti, an Italian immigrant living in Buenos Aires, who used a similar design for his Palacio Barolo in Buenos Aires, Argentina...
. The plaza is at the western end of the 18th of July Avenue
18 de Julio Avenue
Avenida 18 de Julio, or 18 de Julio Avenue, is the most important avenue in Montevideo, Uruguay. It is named after the date the first Constitution of Uruguay was written: July 18, 1830....
, the setting for a variety of art deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
and belle époque
Belle Époque
The Belle Époque or La Belle Époque was a period in European social history that began during the late 19th century and lasted until World War I. Occurring during the era of the French Third Republic and the German Empire, it was a period characterised by optimism and new technological and medical...
architecture as it passes through Cagancha and Fabini Plazas. Fabini Plaza also leads to the diagonal Libertador Avenue, known for its upscale highrises, rationalist architecture and, at its northern end, the General Assembly of Uruguay
General Assembly of Uruguay
The General Assembly of Uruguay has two chambers.*the Chamber of Deputies has 99 members, elected for a five year term by proportional representation....
.
Plaza Independencia is also a short walk from the Montevideo Esplanade
Rambla of Montevideo
The Rambla of Montevideo is the avenue that goes all along the coastline of Montevideo, Uruguay. Since all the southern departments of Uruguay are against either the Río de la Plata or the Atlantic Ocean, they all have ramblas as well....
. The Esplanade (Rambla) is one of the city's numerous waterfront districts, which also include Ramírez Beach (home to the Mercosur
Mercosur
Mercosur or Mercosul is an economic and political agreement among Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Founded in 1991 by the Treaty of Asunción, which was later amended and updated by the 1994 Treaty of Ouro Preto. Its purpose is to promote free trade and the fluid movement of goods, people,...
Common Market headquarters), Pocitos
Pocitos
Pocitos is an upscale beach barrio in Uruguay's capital city, Montevideo.This area is located along the banks of the Rio de la Plata. The barrio is known for its beach, Playa Pocitos, and the Rambla, or boulevard, that lies alongside it...
, and a row of similar communities. Work is currently advancing on a new terminal at Carrasco International Airport
Carrasco International Airport
Carrasco/General Cesáreo L. Berisso International Airport , commonly known simply by Aeropuerto Internacional de Carrasco in reference to the neighborhood where it is located, is the main airport serving Montevideo, Uruguay, located in the adjoining municipality of Ciudad de la Costa...
, contributing to Montevideo's standing as the major city with the highest quality of life in Latin America.
The countryside
The Uruguayan hinterland has attracted growing tourist interest in recent decades. Cities along the Uruguay RiverUruguay River
The Uruguay River is a river in South America. It flows from north to south and makes boundary with Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, separating some of the Argentine provinces of the Mesopotamia from the other two countries...
, such as Salto
Salto
Salto may refer to:*Salto, a Latin word for "to leap/jump", and in gymnastics refers to a somersault* Glasflügel H-101 "Salto" -Organisations:...
, Fray Bentos
Fray Bentos
Fray Bentos, the capital of the Río Negro Department of western Uruguay, is a port on the Uruguay River. It is close to the border with Argentina and about due north of Buenos Aires.-History:...
and Paysandú
Paysandú
-Transportation:The city is served by Tydeo Larre Borges International Airport.-Climate:Paysandú has a humid subtropical climate, described by the Köppen climate classification as Cfa. Summers are warm to hot and winters are cool, with the occurrence of frosts and fog...
have long been known for their fishing and river boating activities. The surrounding alluvial plain
Alluvial plain
An alluvial plain is a relatively flat landform created by the deposition of sediment over a long period of time by one or more rivers coming from highland regions, from which alluvial soil forms...
s has been interest to ecotourism
Ecotourism
Ecotourism is a form of tourism visiting fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas, intended as a low impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial tourism...
. The vast expanse of countryside to the west has hosted increasing numbers of visitors, as well. Numerous reservoirs and natural lakes, such as the Laguna del Sauce
Laguna del Sauce
Laguna del Sauce is the largest water body in the Maldonado Department of Uruguay. It is located west of Punta del Este.-Geography:...
, host fishing and windsurfing
Windsurfing
Windsurfing or sailboarding is a surface water sport that combines elements of surfing and sailing. It consists of a board usually two to four metres long, powered by the orthogonal effect of the wind on a sail. The rig is connected to the board by a free-rotating universal joint and comprises a...
pastimes, and Uruguay's Río Negro
Río Negro (Uruguay)
The Río Negro is the most important river in Uruguay. It originates in the southern highlands of Brazil, just east of Bagé, and flows west across the entire width of Uruguay to the Uruguay River. The course of the Río Negro across Uruguay effectively divides the south of the country from the north...
is favored by canoe
Canoe
A canoe or Canadian canoe is a small narrow boat, typically human-powered, though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors. Canoes are usually pointed at both bow and stern and are normally open on top, but can be decked over A canoe (North American English) or Canadian...
rs. Numerous others, such as the Yí
Yí River
-Geography:The Yí River originates in the Cuchilla Grande highlands. It flows generally west through central Uruguay to the Río Negro.Various other rivers, including the Porongos River and Chamangá River, are tributaries of the Yí River.-Departmental boundaries:...
and Tacuarembó Rivers, also include stretches apt for white water rafting.
Uruguay's farming and ranching tradition has helped foster rural tourism
Rural tourism
Rural tourism focuses on participating in a rural lifestyle. It can be a variant of ecotourism. Any village can be a tourist attraction, and many villagers are very hospitable. Agriculture is becoming highly mechanized and therefore requires less manual labor...
in recent decades. Numerous ranches (Posta del Chuy
Posta del Chuy
The old Posta del Chuy is an inn situated 12 km away from Melo, Cerro Largo, Uruguay.-History:The inn was intended for travelers going by diligence from Melo to Villa Artigas ....
, for example) have created inns and some also include restaurants that feature each establishment's artisanal jams, cheeses, meats and wines. Uruguay is home to a growing wine
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
industry, and numerous orchards welcome tourists, as well as connoisseurs.