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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Uruguayan film director Fede Alvarez shot to Hollywood fame this month when his new horror film Don’t Breathe became the US’s biggest grossing film over two weekends when it came out on August 26.
However few know that the Uruguayan was whisked to Hollywood back in 2009 just thirty days after a music video clip he had made in Montevideo went viral.
The video, called Ataque de Pánico made for rock band Snake, featured gigantic robot aliens marching on Montevideo and dramatic special effects as they blow away iconic buildings in the capital.
What was a simple rock video made for just 300 dollars became the talk of the internet.
If you’re coming to or have been to Montevideo, you’ve got to check it out.
The video opens with scenes of a child under the Santa Lucía bridge, some 15 miles outside of Montevideo coming in from Colonia. Buildings attacked include the Antel Telecommunications Tower (2m 05sec), the Legislative Palace where the national assembly meets (2m 11sec), Montevideo’s main street 18 de julio (2m 34sec), the Plaza de Independencia (2m 41sec), the building where the lovely old bookshop Mas Puro Verso is located (2m 45sec), Tres Cruces where the bus station is located (3m), the seat of the Municipality of Montevideo (3m 12sec) and the iconic Palacio Salvo (3m 17sec) – noooooooo!!!
Don’t Breathe is only Alvarez‘ second major film. Taking almost 90 million dollars in the first few weeks, the film has been a huge sleeper >hit.
Though critics have called the film “the best American [my italics] horror film in twenty years”, it was written by Alvarez and another Uruguayan Rodo Sayagués. Alvarez’s long-time director of photography is also Uruguayan.
So, is there any hint that Don’t Breathe, a Hollywood-made film set in Detroit, is written and directed by Uruguayans?
Yes, says Uruguayan film critic Gonzalo Curbelo. He says that the plot takes place in Detroit, a former industrial giant but now broken and “almost Third World”. The heroine wants to leave for California at all cost, alleging that “everyone’s already left”. It’s impossible not to associate this with the ambitions of any aspiring artist in Uruguay, says Curbelo.
And, on a more obvious note. With a wink to three million Uruguayan compatriots, a distinctive thermos flask pops up in a cupboard in a scene of Don’t Breathe.
The Guru’Guay Guide recommends ten Uruguayan films you must watch before you come to Uruguay. Buy it in paperback or download it now.
Photo: Don’t Breathe website
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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.
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.
Murga is an instantly recognisable musical style associated with carnival. It’s a uniquely Uruguayan phenomenon, with very distant roots in Cadiz, Spain.
Uruguayan movies tend to be slow burners with lots of critical acclaim. The Guru invites you to put your feet up and enjoy five of the best Uruguayan films.
My friend who’s ‘carnival royalty’ says San Baltasar is like carnival was when she was a child. Your chance to see Uruguay carnival just after new year.
José ‘Pepe’ Mujica was dubbed “the world’s poorest president” for his modest lifestyle and is the subject of a new film by Emir Kusturica.
The host of this brand new travel show fell in love with Montevideo. The wine, soccer, carnival, food… so many things to do.
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4 Responses
Many of us are proud of this two uruguayans success.
I want to say that both helped as producers in films of our first horror movie maker, Mr. Ricardo Islas, who actually lives in Chicago.
Mr. Islas has made indie horror movies with an almost inexistent budget and improving the quality up to the level of blockbusters.
My wish is that Ricardo Islas would join Avarez prestige in honor of his restless effort and intelligent scripts that made us as proud as Mr. Alvarez did.
Thanks for the info, Marcelo!
Hola, I’ve just received my copy of The Guru’guay guide to Montevideo. Words cannot express how homesick I am. As a child I immigrated to Australia in the 70’s Now it’s time for one of my children to visit Uruguay for the first time & your guide to Montevideo is wonderful! So many customs so many memories that I’ve tried to pass on to them. Your guide is also proof to my kids that their mum is still very much “Uruguaya” Gracias!
Dear Stella, I am so MOVED to read your comment. And delighted that you find the book so true to the Uruguay you have loved for so long, despite not being here. I guess that after so many years I am just a bit “uruguaya” myself 🙂 You have to come visit again! — Abrazo grande, Karen