Montevideo is intersected by one of the most impressive and beautiful avenues
of South America, 18 de Julio, which extends from the Plaza Indipendencia to
the neighbourhood of Cordón. The Mercado del Puerto, which is housed
in a converted train station, is a great place to sample local food and drink,
with bars and grills lining this ornate building from corner to corner. The
interesting history of the Uruguayan cowboy, or guacho, is explained in the
Museo de Guacho y de la Moneda, in the building of the Banco de la Republica.
The Old City, or Ciudad Vieja, is currently being given a face-lift and is well
worth a visit for the charming colonial plazas and streets. The city also boasts
nine sandy beaches, great for sunbathing, and while the ocean is muddy thanks
to the nearby outlet of the River Plata, it is clean and safe to bathe in.
Nearby points of interest include the Punta del Este, a long peninsular which
extends to the southernmost point of the country, and is a popular holiday destination
during the summer months, December to January; Colonia del Sacramento, a small
town with a rich colonial history including the oldest church and the only bull
ring in Uruguay, as well as a fortress and contraband port which are now listed
as UNESCO World Heritage sites; and of course the famous Guacho Country, where
tourists can spend time on one of the many ranches, exploring the countryside
on horseback.
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