Uruguay: South America’s best kept secret

Aired January 2009

Uruguay. South America’s smallest Spanish-speaking country. Often overlooked by American tourists in favor of hedonistic Brazil and brash Argentina, this delightfully low-key and hospitable nation is, for those in the know, the continent’s best-kept secret.

Uruguay is a rare jewel in the region, a nation that is clean, safe, and peaceful. The best of Latin America in a small package.

What makes Uruguay the perfect holiday destination for Americans?

What are the quintessential experiences that make a trip here memorable?

Join us as we see the country through the eyes of the people that live there. US Television brings you Uruguay: South America’s best-kept secret.

BUSINESS AND CULTURE

Uruguay sits on the east coast of South America, south of Brazil and east of Argentina. Its capital city is Montevideo.

Known as “the Switzerland of America” for its high standard of living, Uruguay is closer to that of a developed country than one of the third world. Despite the economic troubles of recent years, Uruguay remains a proud and peaceful nation.

Uruguay serves as the administrative headquarters of Mercosur, South America’s leading trade union. Tax exemptions are given to certain companies based in Uruguay. Its geo-strategic location also makes the country an important transport and logistics hub, with a world-class port and logistics infrastructure.

Montevideo is Uruguay’s most vibrant city and its cultural heartland. With its waterfront location, worn-out skyscrapers straight out of Havana or Bucharest, and modern high-rise beach communities straight out of Miami, the city wears many faces.

Uruguay’s origins as a country are clearly European. Uruguayans are very individualistic and always insistent on differentiating themselves from the rest of the continent.

With an impressive living standard, high literacy rate, large urban middle class, and excellent social services, Uruguay has become a model for other developing countries in the region.

TOURISM

For its small size, Uruguay makes a big impression. Tourism is now becoming one of the country’s biggest foreign-exchange earners.

Uruguayans take barbecuing and food to unbelievable heights, much like their Argentinian neighbours. Many foreigners can attest to the fact that Uruguayan beef is the best in the world.

With hundreds of miles of coastline, there is a beach in Uruguay to fit your taste. And few resorts in the continent rival Punta del Este for glamour, an area that has become the new place to see and be seen.

Road infrastructure in Uruguay is surprisingly efficient, and one of the best ways to enjoy the country is to rent a car and take in some of the most relaxing and beautiful places in South America.

Despite the economic troubles of recent years, Uruguay remains a proud and peaceful