Uruguay a great destination Uruguay is a destination for everyone !Uruguay is really the best kept secret of South America. At present mainly visited by tourists from the nearby region. Brazilians and Argentines know the beautiful beaches, the climate, and the atmosphere in various places and know to appreciate the night life. However, Uruguay is known for its security. Recently I spoke with Mr. Hector Araujo, director of tourism in Punta del Este (Maldonado province). He said "now is very unsafe in several countries around the world, that’s why are more people come to Uruguay, Uruguay guaranteed security". I personally know Uruguay from 2001 and I can confirm his words. Uruguay has many tourist areas, but here I will confine myself to the province of Maldonado, which includes the towns Punta del Este and Piriápolis. Uruguay and Argentina wants the World Cup 2030. Piríapolis Inspired by the great European resorts, the city was founded by Francisco Piriápolis Piria in 1890, a man with vision and ideas. He described the area as a future spa, it is surrounded by hills, forests and beaches located on a beautiful bay with promenade (Rambla de los Argentinos). On the promenade is the famous Hotel Argentino (including casino), opened in 1930 and was the largest hotel in South America. The beaches are white sandy and the water is clear. Piriápolis is also known for its hills, among which Cerro Del Toro (252 m) with at his foot a replica of the Venus fountain Paravicini in Italy on the way to the top a sculpture of a bull (3000 kg), Cerro San Antonio (130 m) once over by foot or by car you have a beautiful view over the surrounding area to Punta del Este. Cerro Pan de Azucar (380 m) with a cross on top (35 m). With any condition you can do it very well. Piriápolis has also the Piria Castle built in 1897, which now serves as a museum. Besides the beautiful beach, water sports, it is especially enjoying the tranquility of nature. Excursions can be arranged through local travel agencies. Renting a car is possible, but you can easily take the bus. -- Punta del Este One of the most beautiful resorts on the continent is located where the Rio de la Plata and the Atlantic Ocean meet. Punta del Este is stylish, elegant and glamorous, with a Miami-like skyline. Every summer (December to March) famous people from Europe and America, and South America come to Punta del Este. Punta del Este is the St Tropez of South America. Besides the many beaches, restaurants, nightclubs, international fashion shops, you can play in the casino of the famous Conrad Hilton Hotel. There are also various excursions such as to Isla Gorriti (a short boat trip to a beautiful island), Isla de Lobos (8 km from the coast) here are more than 200, 000 sea lions. A ticket for both tours can be purchased at the port. Take the bus or rent a car (Hertz, Europcar, Avis, Puntacar, Federal, Multicar and many others). Departure from Punta del Este north via Route 10 to La Barra (formerly an old fishing village), here again the young and famous in the world, with beaches and shopping areas and of course many restaurants and nightclubs. Continue north to Jose Ignacio, only the wind blows here. Again luxury homes, restaurants and beautiful beaches. We go a little further north now in the Rocha province, with many resorts La Paloma, La Pedrera, Cabo Polonia and Punta de Diablo. Cabo Polonia is located 7 km from the main road. It is accessible by a walk through the dunes or by 4x4 vehicles. The region has no electricity or running water for several hundred houses of this city, and a few wind generators are used to power some of the Posadas and the supermarket. There is a lighthouse that will power the national grid. Residents get water away from wells or by rainwater collection. The main attraction on the Atlantic Ocean, a natural reserve of sea lions and one of the few mobile sand dunes where the sand blown by the wind causes the dunes instead of always changing. The government has included the area in the SNAP (Sistema Nacional de Áreas Protegidas) national system of protected areas. | 
