Well, Uruguay, thanks for the good times.

True, it was sometimes challenging to tackle you without a guidebook, and the English-language travel media has skipped over you for the sexier-every-day Buenos Aires. (With one exception, that is.)

But hopefully our coverage can send some more steak-loving, beach-combing, wine-guzzling folks your way. You deserve 'em.

Related Stories:
· Ministry of Tourism of Uruguay [Official Site]
· Uruguay Field Trip coverage [Jaunted]
· Uruguay coverage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-03-28T15:45:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/3/27/95325/9738

Most of our tour through Uruguay was poorly timed: Montevideo was vacant for Holy Week, we missed the full moon party in Punta del Diablo and we were late for the season in Punta del Este.

By the time we showed up, just about everything was shut down. But rather than whine about our bad luck to our stone-faced hotel receptionist, we dug up an old review of what's worth checking out year-round in South America's South Beach.

The illustrious Matt Gross swung through Punta more than a year ago, but we figured the town's "most popular bakery," Medialunas Calentitas, would still be around. His description made it all the more enticing:

I ordered a quartet of their famous sticky-sweet croissants and a cortado (espresso with a little milk) for 95 pesos, and as I munched them outside at the surfer-chic picnic tables, latecomers cautiously approached the bakery, only to be turned away. For a moment, I felt like an insider.

If there's any sign that Punta del Diablo is about to become an It spot for backpackers in South America, it's the supremely well-done Diablo Tranquilo Bar, right on the beach. The satellite food and booze spot for the hostel up the road, it's got great service, great design, a great menu and tons of cold beer. If that's not enough, did we mention it's right on the beach?

Though it's only been open for a few months, there really isn't anything bad to report. The place is simply one of the best hostel-affiliated bars we've ever seen--and we've done a lot of boozing at hostels.

Also worth checking out: the panoramic view of PdD from the third floor. Be sure to take your cocktail and that cute surfer chick from across the bar.

Related Stories:
· Uruguay Field Trip coverage [Jaunted]
· Uruguay coverage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-03-27T16:30:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/3/25/121136/604

In Punta del Diablo, the two biggest questions you'll face are "What should I get in my empanda?" and "Is it too early for a Patricia?" The answers: Fish and cheese and no, no it isn't.

The place to be is the no-name empanada shack just off the beach in front of the Cueva Luna bar. There are four tables, one guy taking orders and two ladies crankin' out super tasty pockets of golden fried goodness. The sweeping ocean view doesn't hurt either.

Our lunch of four empanadas and a big beer was just 190 pesos ($9). To help you find the no-name spot, we've marked it on our Uruguay Travel Map.

Related Stories:
· Uruguay Field Trip coverage [Jaunted]
· Uruguay coverage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-03-27T13:45:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/3/24/123925/529

If you've ever been to Buenos Aires, you know about "Cena Shows." Basically, you pony up some US dollars for an all-inclusive dinner and tango show and they throw your taxi ride in for free. Touristy but cool, especially when they're pouring the wine like water.

Montevideo likes to brag that it too has tango. And at El Milongon you get more than just sexy dancing. They also bust out the candombe to put a bit of African drumming into your dinner.]]> pbb 2008-03-26T16:00:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/3/25/114755/111

After a couple days in vacant-for-Holy-Week Montevideo, we were ready to hit the beach. And while we could've gone the easy route and skipped over to Punta del Este, we decided to get ambitious. So we loaded up the iPod and bought bus tickets for a five-hour haul out to Punta del Diablo, a village not far from the Brazilian border.

It's your standard sleepy fishing town--except people are sleepy because they were at the beachfront disco El Pico until 6 am. Most people visiting rent a cottage--which locals call cabanas--and stay for a week or more, self-catering their trip. We could stay only a couple days, so we shacked up at the Diablo Tranquilo hostel. (It's brand new and nice.)

Besides sitting on the beach and drinking big frosty bottles of Patricia beer, there's not much to do. And that's just fine.

Related Stories:
· Uruguay Field Trip coverage [Jaunted]
· Uruguay coverage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-03-26T12:05:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/3/24/94838/1523

After a day and a night in Colonia, we'd seen about everything. The next morning we hopped a bus through the countryside to Montevideo, Uruguay's capital city of 1.5 million people.

We rolled into town during Holy Week, which we can tell you is about the worst time to check the place out: Everyone's fled for the beach. On the other hand, you'll have the town to yourself to check out the restaurant scene.]]> pbb 2008-03-25T16:15:01-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/