 | Vacation
Sun, fun, and an excellent nightlife make Uruguay one of the hottest vacation spots in South America. Famous for its beaches, Uruguay attracts thousands from Argentina, Brazil, and other South American countries every year between November and March. Cities range from tiny fishing villages to modern day metropolis' with casinos and shopping malls which rival those of Paris and New York. Surfing, Water skiing, windsurfing, Parapente, and sailing are all prime activities for the vacationers in Uruguay. Most spend their days busy on the beaches and their nights in the casinos and dance clubs which abound in Punta Del Este, La Barra, and Punta Ballena. |
 | SHOPPING
"Punta Shopping" is the larest mall in Punta del Este. It has many world class stores offering perfumes, fashion items, electronics, jewlery, music, and food. No vacationer would miss this famous mall as it has traditionally been the most famous mall in Uruguay. In the nearby town of La Barre, there is now being built a newer and more modern mall which everyone is very excited about. Aside from luxury items, there is much to see and buy in Uruguay. All of the cities have a "Flea market" or outdoor fair each sunday in which all of the locals sell arts and crafts, food, fossils, gemstones and special "Geodes", produce, books, antiques, and much more. These fairs are an exciting part of life in Uruguay and offer the vacationer a chance to obtain items available anywhere else in the wolrd.
Many vacationers have discovered the small out of the way antique shops in many of Uruguays cities. Little out of the way shops which usually cater to the local population often have some excellent finds for the astute buyer. Many of the objects were brought to Uruguay from Italy and were old before they even arrived in their new land. This is one of the most interesting and certainly exciting aspects of shopping in Uruguay. |
 | FAMILY VALUES
One of the more "Latin" aspects of life in Uruguay is the close bonds of family. Spending time talking and laughing with ones family is considered an essential part of life in Uruguay. Many of those Uruguayans who have left the country seeking their fortunes cite the lack of family as their number one complaint. This closeness creates a tightly knit community atmosphere in Uruguayan communities and fosters an extremely friendly attitude in everyone you will meet in Uruguay. The typical Uruguayan would rather spend time drinking "Matte" with family than do anything else. It is normal for an entire extended family to eat together on Sundays. These meals often involve more than 20 persons ranging several generations from great grandparents their great grandchildren. Even those who are no longer a part of the family due to divorce often attend these family gatherings and are treated no differenty than anyone else. |
 | BEAUTIFUL SPACES
Uruguay is a land of great natural beauty. Bordered by the Uruguay and Platte rivers as well as the Atlantic ocean, Uruguay has cliffs, rolling hills, caves, rivers, mountains, lush forrests, and fields which appear to go on forever. Uruguay is well known for its geological formations and exports its semi precious gemstones throughout the world. Northern Uruguay (and southern Brazil) is famous for its beautiful Agate and Amethyst Geodes. These geodes are hollow round stones filled with colorful crystals. Uruguay is also a great place to explore caves. Like most South American countries, regulation is minimal and this offers explorers an opportunity to go anywhere and as deep as they like. Some entreprenuers have even opened dance clubs and bars in caves which open right onto the beach. |
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