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Mausoleo de Artigas
In the middle of the downtown Plaza Independencia is the Mausoleo de Artigas, whose above-ground portion is a 17m, 30-ton statue of the countrys independence hero. Below street level an honor guard keeps 24-hour vigil over Artigas remains.
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Yacht Harbor
In summertime, Punta del Estes busy yacht harbor overflows with beautiful people, who come to see and be seen at the surrounding restaurants and clubs. The harbor is also the departure point for boat tours to Isla Gorriti and Isla de Lobos.
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Estación Biológica Potrerillo de Santa Teresa
On the shores of Laguna Negra, 10km northwest of town, the Estación Biológica Potrerillo de Santa Teresa harbors a rich variety of bird and plant life and several 3000-year-old indigenous burial mounds. Three-hour tours can be arranged.
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Museo Carlos Gardel
Housed in a former pulpería (the general store/bar that used to operate on many estancias ), this sweet little museum documents Tacuarembó’s claim as birthplace of revered tango singer Carlos Gardel – a claim vigorously contested by Argentina and France!
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Fortaleza de Santa Teresa
This impressive hilltop fortress, 4km north of park headquarters on Ruta 9, is the star attraction of Parque Nacional Santa Teresa. Construction was begun by the Portuguese in 1762 and finished by the Spaniards after they captured the fortress in 1793.
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Castillo Pittamiglio
On the Rambla between Punta Carretas and Pocitos is this eccentric legacy of local alchemist and architect, Humberto Pittamiglio. Its quirky facade alone is worth a look. Guided Spanish-language tours of the interior are available; see the website for monthly schedules.
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Reserva de Fauna Autóctona
About 1km further inland, hikers can climb Uruguay’s fourth-highest peak, Cerro Pan de Azúcar (389m). The trail (2½ hours roundtrip) starts from the parking lot of the Reserva de Fauna Autóctona, narrowing from a gradual dirt road into a steep path marked with red arrows.
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Museo de la Historia del Arte
In the basement of Montevideo’s Palacio Municipal (town hall, also known as Intendencia), MuHAr features a wide-ranging collection of art – originals and reproductions of famous pieces – from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, Greece, Rome and numerous Native American cultures.
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El Faro del Cabo Santa María
The 1874 completion of this local lighthouse marked La Paloma’s genesis as a summer beach resort. The unfinished first attempt collapsed in a violent storm, killing 17 French and Italian workers, who are buried nearby. Outside is a solar clock using shadows cast by the lighthouse.
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Faro
One of the town’s most prominent landmarks, Colonia’s 19th-century lighthouse provides an excellent view of the old town and the Río de la Plata. It stands within the ruins of the 17th-century Convento de San Francisco , just off the southwest corner of Plaza Mayor 25 de Mayo.
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Isla Gorriti
Boats leave every half-hour or so (daily in season, weekends in off-season) from Punta del Este’s yacht harbor for the 15-minute trip to this nearby island, which has excellent sandy beaches, a couple of restaurants and the ruins of Baterías de Santa Ana, an 18th-century fortificat
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Isla de Lobos
About 10km offshore, this small island is home to the world’s second-largest southern sea-lion colony (200,000 at last count), along with colonies of southern fur seals and South America’s tallest lighthouse. The island is protected and can only be visited on an organized tour.
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Museo Didáctico Artiguista
A colonial relic, the Cuartel de Dragones is a block of military fortifications with stone walls and iron gates, built between 1771 and 1797. Inside, the Museo Didáctico Artiguista displays colorful maps tracing the peripatetic military campaigns of Uruguay’s independence hero.
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Museo de la Revolución Industrial
Possibly the words tour an old meat extraction plant dont appear on your list of must-dos for Uruguay, but Museo de la Revolución Industrial highlights a major part of the countrys history, when the British beef barons moved in and started the Uruguayan beef industry in earnest.
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Punta Del Diablo Village
Fabulously remote, seriously underdeveloped and stunningly picturesque, this little fishing-surfing village of wooden cabins and winding dirt streets attracts a nature-oriented crowd. Parque Nacional Santa Teresa is within easy hiking distance. Horse riding can be arranged; ask in
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Museo Histórico Nacional
The centerpiece of Uruguay’s National Historical Museum is Casa Rivera , the former home of Uruguay’s first president and founder of the Colorado Party, Fructuoso Rivera. The collection of paintings, documents, furniture and artifacts traces Uruguayan history from indigenous roots
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Teatro Bastión del Carmen
Incorporating part of the city’s ancient fortifications, this theater and gallery complex adjacent to Colonias Puerto Viejo hosts rotating art exhibits and periodic concerts. The grassy riverside grounds out back, with outdoor sculptures and an industrial chimney dating to 1880, ma
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Museo del Carnaval
This museum houses a wonderful collection of costumes, drums, masks, recordings and photos documenting the 100-plus-year history of Montevideo’s Carnaval. Behind the museum is a cafe and a courtyard where spectators can view performances during the summer months. Touch-screen displ
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Centro de Tortugas Marinas
While Uruguay has no nesting beaches for sea turtles, the area from Barra del Chuy to Punta del Diablo is an important foraging area. The Center for Marine Turtles provides information on when to see these cute creatures, as well as running a volunteer program and educating visitor
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Outlying Beaches
From Playa Mansa, west along Rambla Williman, the main beach areas are La Pastora, Marconi, Cantegril, Las Delicias, Pinares, La Gruta at Punta Ballena, and Portezuelo. Eastward, along Rambla Lorenzo Batlle Pacheco, the prime beaches are La Chiverta, San Rafael, La Draga and Punta
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