Uruguay tours – Private city tours of Montevideo, Colonia & Punta del Este
When you want to experience the best of Uruguay’s most emblematic cities—with a guide genuinely excited to personalise the tour just for you.
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The Llamadas de San Baltasar is a traditional festival of Uruguayan candombe which takes place every January 6. It’s a truly authentic spectacle as tens of drumming and dancing comparsas parade through the streets of Barrio Sur and Palermo flanked by locals.
My friend Soledad who I call ‘carnival royalty’ loves San Baltasar. She says it is just how carnival was when she was a child.
Though carnival isn’t touristy at all in Uruguay, San Baltasar is really how carnival in Montevideo was thirty years ago—so expect simple outfits, no tickets and no security presence. Just people enjoying themselves.
Why January 6? The date is chosen to celebrate Three Kings Day (when Uruguayan children typically receive gifts) and the Afro-Uruguayan community.
Download the Guru’Guay Guide to Montevideo right now to find out more about carnival and candombe.
Click on the Guru’Guay map of the San Baltasar Parade to see the start and end points of the parade
The procession starts around 4pm and lasts till after sundown.
Photo by Jimmy Baikovicius
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Uruguay tours – Private city tours of Montevideo, Colonia & Punta del Este
When you want to experience the best of Uruguay’s most emblematic cities—with a guide genuinely excited to personalise the tour just for you.
Montevideo tours – Tango, Football & the Carnival Whisperers
Your private Montevideo cultural tour and gateway to carnival, an authentic tango joint or a soccer match with a great local guide.
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.
Trekking in Uruguay – El Gavilán, Valle del Lunarejo nature reserve
Trekking, horseback riding, nature photography, birding in one of the most outstanding protected areas in Uruguay, Valle del Lunarejo.
Varela Zarranz – Uruguay wine history & sparkling wines
One of Uruguay’s oldest wineries, Varela Zarranz is just 50 min from the capital. Winner of 150+ awards, it’s famous for its sparkling wines.
Índica Beer – Great little Montevideo bar & brewery
Índica Beer is a friendly welcoming Montevideo bar and brewery making some of the best craft beer—particularly IPAs and German-style lager.
Uruguay Citizenship – It’s been 23 years but I’m finally applying!
It’s been a long time coming, and I’m so excited to finally be starting the process of applying for Uruguay citizenship.
How to get from the Montevideo airport to the city
The Montevideo international airport is 15 miles from the city centre. You can take a taxi, shuttle or bus. The most common way is private transfer.
Bodega Cerro Chapeu – Uruguayan wine legends
Led by a “winemaker legend”, Cerro Chapeu is a must-do Uruguayan wine destination. In the wild middle of nowhere, it is a shock to discover such an exciting, modern winery, say experts.
Caballos de Luz – Horseback riding in Uruguay sierras
This ‘million star’ B&B in the hills minutes from the coast offers exciting horseback riding & delicious vegetarian food.
Could Uruguay be the only country in the world with a state-sanctioned celebration of “golden oldies”? Bring on the Bee Gees!
Hot off the press! The world’s longest carnival is in Montevideo Uruguay and we’ve got the dates.
Traditional food, handmade goods, and South American cowboys riding wild horses. It’s the Semana Criolla – Montevideo’s Easter gaucho festival.
Latin America is associated with Catholicism. As ever Uruguay is the outlier—with complete separation of church and state for over 100 years.
It’s Yemanjá Day on February 2. Don’t miss this special festival of the Goddess of the Sea at Playa Ramírez in the Parque Rodó neighbourhood.
One of the best things to do in Montevideo is visit the horse races. Fun for the family and for architecture buffs the art-deco stadium. Fridays & Sundays.
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