They won the first soccer World Cup and there's a lot of beef raised on the pampa. That's all most people know about Uruguay. Bradt's Uruguay remains the only dedicated English-language guide to a country that's small yet bursting with character showing that the adventurous tourist can uncover much more. It provides in-depth coverage of the capital Montevideo, where the colonial Old City is being restored. There's also detailed information on the coastal city of Colonia (which is on UNESCO's World Heritage List) as well as Punta del Este, where the Buenos Aires beautiful crowd flocks to the beaches each summer. There's advice, too, for active travellers who can rattle their whips on cattle-ranching estancias and spin their sticks in a game of polo or two and for nature enthusiasts keen to watch wildlife in the western wetlands and birds in Cabo Polonio and Santa Teresa. Plus, the book investigates the Brazilian influences behind Uruguay's music and dance, and the country's Afro-Uruguayan culture, most noticeable in Carnaval.

Table of Contents:
Contents Introduction vi PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION 1 Chapter 1 Background Information 3 Geography 3, Climate 5, Natural history 5, Conservation 12, History 12, Government and politics 22, Economy 23, People 25, Language 26, Religion 26, Culture 26 Chapter 2 Practical Information 45 When to visit 45, Highlights 45, Suggested itineraries 46, Tour operators 46, Red tape 48, Embassies 48, Getting there and away 51, Health 56, Safety 59, What to take 61, Maps 61, Money and budgeting 61, Getting around 63, Accommodation 66, Eating and drinking 67, Public holidays and festivals 71, Shopping 72, Opening hours 73, Media and communications 73, Cultural and business etiquette 75, Buying a property and moving to Uruguay 75, Travelling positively 76 PART TWO THE GUIDE 77 Chapter 3 Montevideo 79 History 79, Climate 83, Getting there and away 83, Getting around 88, Orientation 91, Tourist information 92, Where to stay 93, Where to eat and drink 100, Nightlife 108, Entertainment 112, Shopping 115, Sport and activities 118, Other practicalities 118, City tour 121, Museums 134 Chapter 4 Southern Uruguay 143 Canelones department: West 143, Wineries of Uruguay 149, Florida department 166, San José department 170, Canelones department: East 176, Lavalleja department 180 Chapter 5 Eastern Uruguay 189 Maldonado department 189, Rocha department 242 Chapter 6 Western Uruguay 275 Colonia department 275, Soriano department 296, Río Negro department 304, Paysandú department 315, Salto department 323 Chapter 7 The Interior 333 Artigas department 333, Rivera department 341, Tacuarembó department 346, Durazno department 354, Flores department 359, Treinta y Tres department 362, Cerro Largo department 367 Appendix 1 Language 375 Appendix 2 Further Information 378 Index 382