Guru’Guay
A locally-produced guide to travel, living & investing in Uruguay
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Latest musings
From the Guru’Guay blog
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.
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Tango dancing in Montevideo
Dance tango in Uruguay. Especially if you are a beginner or intermediate tango dancer, the tango scene in Montevideo is much friendlier than Buenos Aires.
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Great little car rental company in Uruguay
Shout-out for local car rental company, Mariño Sport, in Uruguay. I’ve been impressed by their great service and personal touch since 2010.
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Top things to do in winter in Uruguay
Between June and August, visit Uruguay for horse-riding, deserted beaches, great culture, live music, bonfire parties, winetasting & whale-watching.
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World wheat shortage: Can Uruguay help?
Wheat and other grains were selling for record prices, just as Uruguayan farmers were deciding what to plant in May and June.
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Winter in Uruguay – sunny and 60° F out
The temperatures for winter in Uruguay (June-August) may look balmy. But you may be in for an unpleasant surprise if you don’t do your research. Start here.
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Why get permanent residence status in Uruguay
Non-visa country nationals can live freely in Uruguay provided they leave for at least one day every six months. So why should you bother getting residency?
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How to describe a cough or cold in Spanish
Spanish varies a lot from country to country. Get help for your cough, flu or sickness using the right phrases for Uruguay and Argentina.
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Is Uruguay safe
I’ve lived all over the world. Here’s my evaluation based on my experience living and travelling in Uruguay for the last 20+ years.
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Medicinal teas for coughs & colds
Uruguayans love herbal remedies. When you have a cough or cold, here’s what to look for in the supermarket to make a soothing brew.
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Is Uruguay a developed country? The case of Canelones
Every month, hundreds of people around the world Google ‘Is Uruguay a developed country’. This is the information they are looking for.
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The sleepy beaches of Costa de Oro
Under an hour from the capital lie some of the Uruguay’s best kept secrets, because most of the tourists are… Uruguayan.
...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
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Latest Guru’Guay Top Picks
Guru’Guay only recommends restaurants, hotels and people who absolutely love Uruguay & what they do
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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Los Nadies – Premium wine tasting in Montevideo
Your chance to taste some of the best Uruguay wines at the hand of one of the top three wine-makers in Uruguay at his home and winery minutes from downtown.
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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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Bar Montevideo al Sur – Historic bar & cafe
If you’re looking for a traditional Montevideo bar with a community-feel, good honest food, great cocktails and a friendly vibe, this is your place.
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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 – recommended Uruguay real estate brokers
Team Haverkate specialise in finding dream Uruguay real estate for expats. They speak English, German, French and Dutch and can now 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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Stella Lorenzo Arq. – property appraisal and inspiration
An independent appraisal by a recommended professional with 20+ years experience will take the risk out of buying property in Uruguay.
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Hotel Solís – historic, coastal B&B
Be a part of history. One of the best hotels in Uruguay—and British spy HQ!— nestling by Maldonado beaches and wineries, is being lovingly restored.
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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 Historica – art nouveau 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.
FRESH CONTENT
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.
As seen in
