Guru'Guay Guide to Montevideo

Book Synopsis: The only guide to Montevideo, Uruguay, written by an author resident in Uruguay. With the end of the pandemic in sight, we reviewed our guide and thanks to our careful selections, can confirm our guide is still the best to finding the gems. The beauty of buying a guidebook by a local. Mentioned in the New York Times, BBC, National Geographic, Le Figaro, Decanter and more. Following rave reviews for its debut, this second edition was sponsored by the Uruguay Ministry of Tourism and the government of Montevideo—and is indispensable for getting the most out of Uruguay's capital as a visitor or expat.

Forget those guides with dry laundry lists of things to do. The Guru'Guay guides have passion and soul. The Guru'Guay Guide to Montevideo goes in-depth on:

SOCIETY & CULTURE

• history: How did this tiny country get to be so progressive? Your burning questions answered.
• the Uruguayan character: a chapter of entirely personal anecdotes from presidents to petty thieves
• expressions used on the street and what they mean
• films to watch, albums to listen to and books to read before you come

FOOD & DRINK

• what time the locals eat and how Uruguayans survive through to a 10pm dinnertime
• street food
• wine and craft beer from Uruguay are winning prizes internationally. What to try and why
• restaurants for people desperate for gourmet and veggie options
• restaurants for wine-lovers
• historic cafes: The most charming and the most gritty

THINGS TO DO

• guided tours to wine, carnival and more
• great day trips, from UNESCO heritage site Colonia de Sacramento, to glitzy Punta del Este, to the Santa Lucia wetlands
• architectural highlights in the city with the biggest concentration of Art-deco after New York
• art museums and underground art co-ops
• beaches including which of the 10 is best for children, windsurf, and boat rental, etc
• shopping and buying original gifts: Really. A guidebook that helps you with this thankless task
• why Carnival in Montevideo is unique: Where and when to track down the best (and worst) of carnival, including off-season
• tango: Tango is something the locals do, it's not “for export”
• the best live music and live acts that Montevideo has to offer: Tiny Uruguay has a huge share of highly talented musicians. Pay under 10 USD to see a world-class band in a tiny cafe
• gay: Montevideo has a small but charming scene

LOGISTICS

• flying into Uruguay: A candid look at airlines to choose and avoid
• getting to Montevideo from Buenos Aires: The fastest, cheapest, and most leisurely routes
• best times to visit and how long to stay: Insights only a long-term resident can give
• public holidays and festivals you must not miss, like the Sea Goddess celebrations
• best neighborhoods to stay based on your personal preferences
• architecturally-lovely accommodation
• personal safety: Dispelling myths and tips specific to neighborhoods
• getting around on public transport like a local
• driving and car rental: The logic to seemingly erratic traffic patterns and driving habits
• tipping demystified: e.g. why you don't tip taxi drivers but do tip street parking attendants
• money exchange including troubleshooting ATM withdrawals