Guru’Guay
A locally-produced guide to travel, living & investing in Uruguay
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Latest musings
From the Guru’Guay blog
Canelones: Home to 50% of all Uruguay’s wineries
Experts compare Canelones to Bordeaux. But family and tradition are what really make the difference in Uruguay’s most productive wine region.
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7 amazing facts about Uruguay national football team
Despite its pint size population, Uruguay has one of the most successful national teams in footballing history.
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Public holidays in Uruguay
It’s a good idea to know when public holidays in Uruguay are as most shops close. Public transport is also limited but to a lesser extent.
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Uruguay travel entry requirements
Traveling to Uruguay? Entry requirements were updated by the government in August 2022. Check out Uruguay travel restrictions at this time.
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How much does the Buenos Aires-Montevideo ferry cost?
We check out recent prices for the ferry between Buenos Aires, Argentina and the Uruguay capital, Montevideo.
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Montevideo Carnival 2023 dates
Uruguay carnival is back in 2023! The world’s longest carnival returns to Montevideo. We’ve got the when and where.
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Gay Montevideo
Montevideo is the capital of the friendliest country in South America. Get to know Uruguay’s version of ‘Pride’—known as the Diversity March.
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Uruguay – most gay friendly nation in South America
…and 5th friendliest in the world, says the Spartacus International Gay Guide. Yep, homosexuality has been legal here for EIGHTY years.
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Tax free Uruguay: 22% VAT off by using credit card
Car hire, restaurant drinks and meals are tax free when you use your international credit card in Uruguay. Big savings.
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Bizarre Uruguay celebrations: Nostalgia Night
Could Uruguay be the only country in the world with a state-sanctioned celebration of “golden oldies”? Bring on the Bee Gees!
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Weird weather in Uruguay – the Storm of Santa Rosa
A violent storm hits Uruguay and parts of Argentina at the same time every year. Urban myth? Or is there some truth to this weird weather phenomenon?
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Expats in Uruguay: Gated communities in Canelones
Guru’Guay talks to a British-born economist about what attracted him as an expat in Uruguay to the gated communities of Canelones in 2019.
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Top football striker Luis Suárez returns to Uruguay
Despite being ranked #5 active goal scorer in the world, Luis Suárez, returns home to Uruguay to play in his boyhood club of Nacional.
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Real estate in demand: Camino de los Horneros, Canelones
Real estate prices have risen dramatically in the last two years in Camino de los Horneros, a residential area of 20+ gated communities. Why?
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“The Guru’Guay Guide to Uruguay”: Latest updates
The beauty of buying a guidebook written by a local. Post pandemic, our Uruguay travel guide is still the best resource to finding the gems.
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Whale-watch in Uruguay
In Uruguay you can watch whales close-up from the beach. Save yourself an expensive trip to Patagonia & feel great that your viewing generates zero stress.
...Our guides
Available on Amazon, Audible & good bookshops worldwide
The Guru’Guay Guide to Uruguay
Beaches, ranches and wine country
The Guru’Guay Guide to Montevideo
All you need to know about Montevideo
The audiobook is out!
The Guru’Guay Guide to Montevideo
Your handy directory to Uruguay travel & living
Free download
Latest Guru’Guay Top Picks
Guru’Guay only recommends restaurants, hotels and people who absolutely love Uruguay & what they do
Posada Paradiso – Legendary José Ignacio hotel
Drinks around the pool at this curious José Ignacio hotel just half a block from the ocean could make you lifelong friends in Uruguay.
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Baltazar – Best wine bar in Montevideo
Over 100 lesser-known Uruguay wines paired with outstanding local charcuterie & cheese at this Montevideo wine bar open all day all week.
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Las Musas – José Ignacio hotel & retreat
Minutes inland from José Ignacio, Las Musas is a hotel that welcomes visitors looking for experiences that nourish the soul.
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El Otro Es Mercat – Seafood tapas bar & restaurant
El Otro Es Mercat is a new Galician-inspired restaurant and tapas bar for seafood and fish lovers in Montevideo’s Old City.
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Salón No. 3 – La Barra gourmet cuisine, cafe & deli
Gourmet lunches, speciality coffee & pastries, out of an antiques store. Smoked hams, artisanal cheese & local produce from the Expendio.
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Estancia El Ceibo – deepest Uruguay with minimal travel
It can take hours along pot-holed roads to reach the best estancias in Uruguay. This ranch, virtually unchanged since 1849, is just an hour from Montevideo.
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Es Mercat – The best fish restaurant in Montevideo
We wager Es Mercat is the very best fish and seafood restaurant in the whole of Montevideo. Ask the chef to choose what you eat, for the best experience.
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Wine Explorers – Private Uruguay wine tours
Private Uruguay wine tours & tastings. The unique wineries will be the highlight of your travels. Plus monthly group excursions for expats.
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Baco – Montevideo’s top wine restaurant
A French bistro with probably the longest wine list in the city and multiple by-the-glass choices is one of the best new Montevideo restaurants by far.
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Pantera – Montevideo’s 1st bread club
A new Montevideo bakehouse selling ‘bread and other stuff’. Bagels to DIE for. Their innovative club sends sourdough (& culture) direct to your door weekly.
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Bar El Mingus – Chill Out Restobar + Tuesday & Sunday Jazz
El Mingus is a one of the best restaurants in Montevideo—cool, contemporary, with the intimacy of an old-school bar. We love the great food & live music.
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Verne – Fine dining in an aromatic herb garden
Outdoor dining in Verne, the star of a new restaurant scene on the coast a short drive from downtown Montevideo, is a feast for the senses.
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Casa Flor – live the Uruguay coast like a local (VIP)
One of the very best hotels near Punta del Este, whose well-connected owners will give you access to the secrets of Uruguay’s coast most can only dream of.
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Estación Penitente – Magical hill-top restaurant in Minas, Uruguay
Overlooking Uruguay’s Sierras de Minas, with views reminiscent of Greece. Traditional cooking, Uruguayan BBQ & wild boar. Day trip from Montevideo & Punta.
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Big Bang Nature Stays – Bohemian beach domes
Unique ocean-front location to reconnect with nature—with luxury touches—on one of Uruguay’s most deserted beaches in Maldonado.
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Mobility LC – Outstanding Uruguay relocation specialist
Uruguay residency, work permits, bank accounts, citizenship & whatever else you as expats in Uruguay need to make your landing smooth.
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Academia Uruguay – Learn Spanish in Uruguay
If you’re planning to move to Uruguay, who better to learn Spanish with than native Uruguayan teachers? Online and face-to-face options.
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Team Haverkate – best Uruguay real estate brokers
Team Haverkate specialise in finding dream Uruguay real estate for expats. They speak English, German, French and Dutch and can offer you virtual tours.
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Lobo Suelto – Best little foodtruck in the East
The best traditional food in Uruguay between the airport and the beach. Chivito, seafood and salads, all locally sourced — & veggies from their garden.
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Il Tano Suites – 420-friendly Punta del Diablo hotel
Your suite with private deck, close to secluded beaches, next to Pdd’s best restaurant. Probably the best value of all Punta del Diablo hotels.
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Cabaña Verónica – Great steak & Uruguayan asado
The Port Market—Disneyland for carnivores—is not to be missed but avoid tourist traps! At Verónica’s, you’re guaranteed great steak & Uruguayan asado.
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Il Tano Cucina – pasta & seafood in Punta del Diablo
One of the best seafood restaurants in Punta del Diablo & open all year round. Family-run, it’s minutes from the ocean & specialises in home-made pastas.
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Private consultations: Is Uruguay a great fit for you?
Are you considering a move to Uruguay—full-time, sabbatical or snow-birding—and want expert advice specific to your circumstances?
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Alma Histórica – best boutique hotel in Montevideo
Set off the most romantic park in Montevideo, Alma Historica is a truly boutique hotel. You’ll love the views of the Old City from the roof-top hot tub.
...Living, working & investing in Uruguay
Guru’Guay teams up with one of the country’s top law firms, Andersen, to get some professional advice for our readers and foreigners all over the world.
I’m buying a NEW build outside Montevideo
2021 ended with some big news for my family. We bought an investment property outside of Montevideo near the airport. And I’m documenting the process through articles and off-the-cuff videos.
So, who’s the Guru?
At the mere age of 22, Guru’Guay founder, Karen A Higgs, found herself stranded in Mexico City airport—with just a pocket Spanish dictionary for company. Since then, she’s lived most of her life in Latin America.
In 2000, she moved to Uruguay and promptly fell in love with this most understated and “European” of Latin American nations.
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