Mystery No More: A Trip to Relaxed Uruguay
Uruguay has been described as the underdog of South America. To the north is its much bigger neighbor Brazil, while Argentina is to the south across the other side of the Rio de la Plata.
Sports fans might know the country for its soccer — Uruguay won the first FIFA World Cup in 1930 — but for many of us, it is a mystery.
But if you choose to take a chance on this underdog, you might find that there's nothing mysterious about this safe, happy corner of South America.
Start with Montevideo, the relaxed capital city by the water, found where the river meets the sea. It is a city of around 1.5 million people, and visitors say the pace of life here is slow.
Take a walk along La Rambla, the 23-kilometer-long sidewalk by the sea, or relax on the beach with a cup of traditional mate — a tea drink popular with locals.
If the city beaches get too busy, there's lots more to explore. Nearby Punta del Este is bright and loud, but you won't have to travel far to get a piece of the coast to yourself.
In the other direction — west of the capital and just across the water from Buenos Aires — is the town of Colonia del Sacramento.
Here, you can walk the beautiful old streets and applaud with the locals as the sun goes down — a Uruguayan tradition.
But the best time of year for many is the 40-night-long carnival in Montevideo.
Beginning at the end of January and continuing until Easter, it is said to be one of the longest carnivals in the world.
Listen to the sound of the candombe drums before trying some meat from a parilla — a barbecue — then go right back to the beach.
