Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
PRIVATE HOUSE: 5 GUESTS • 2 BEDROOM • 2 BEDS • 1 BATHROOM
Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay – has a bohemian, artsy vibe but the laid-back demeanor of a beach town.
It’s a charming city, especially if you have spent time in hectic Buenos Aires. Its calmer, more laid back, and Montevideans take advantage of the river! In Montevideo, you see kite surfers and families on the white sandy beaches, people heading to the bars and cafes to take in the sunset, and the massive rambla is perfect for cycling, roller-blading, a run, or just walking off all of the fabulous food and drink.
You’ll be surprised at the contrasts in Montevideo where art-deco buildings and horse-drawn carts coexist in one of the most connected countries in the world Uruguay is the only country in the world to fully roll-out the One Lap Top per Child initiative and even the buses have WiFi.
But Uruguay has always gone its own way. In Catholic Latin America, Uruguay has had a complete separation of church and state for almost 100 years.
So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Uruguayans elected a former guerrilla and infamously the poorest president in the world to the highest office in the land.
LOCATION
The guesthouse are close to absolutely everything a stone’s throw from the central Colonial Square, Sarandi –the main pedestrian street through the Old City–galleries, museums, bars and restaurants. There are award-winning vineyards just 10-15 minutes by taxi.
The infamous Mercado del Puerto for massive meaty lunches is 10 minutes walk. As are the carnival –Montevideo has the world’s longest carnival– decorative arts and gaucho museums.
It’s perfect to use Montevideo as a base and visit the colonial city of Colonia del Sacramento, sleepy seaside towns like something out of a fifties movie or glitzy Punta del Este by car or bus.
WHY STAY WITH US
Many of our guests are people in the arts, media, design, academia and seasoned travelers who are looking for a special experience in Montevideo.
There’s a lot happening culturally in Montevideo but you need to know where it’s not obvious, especially if you don’t speak Spanish.
When you arrive, Karen will meet you and give you a personal orientation to the city.
Then after that we’ll keep in touch by phone or email, though if you’d like to make sure you see Karen again, you only have to ask (she goes to the guesthouse every day but might not run into you if you are out and about).
Every day based on your interests, we’ll make for recommendations on shows, football games, tango, places to chill. You’ll also get a small printed guide that people tell us is way more useful than the entire copy of the Lonely Planet!
We are surrounded by wonderful historic cafes just minutes walk from Casa Sarandi. We’ll give you a list to choose from. Our favorite, the Brasilero is frequented by Uruguayan writer, Eduardo Galeano, author of “The Open Veins of Latin America”.
House Rules: A housekeeper comes in for a couple of hours each day except for Sundays, but everyone keeps things tidy in the kitchen and living room as they are common spaces.
You will have your own keys to come and go but do keep things quiet early in the morning, late at night and during siesta time.
Smoking is not allowed inside the guesthouse but you can feel free to smoke on any of the three balconies.
• Air Conditioning • Internet • Kitchen • Parking • Wifi