About Uruguay

About Uruguay

As specialized International Buyer Agents in Uruguay, we keep getting clients and inquiries from the USA, Europe and all over the world, who have a lot more questions about a potential move or investment in Uruguay, then just the advice on the Real Estate itself. We agree that it is not enough to just look at properties in a foreign country; you also need to get a feel for the lifestyle, culture, security, healthcare, bureaucracy, and people. So that you don’t have to spend a lot of time to plan your travel visit to Uruguay not knowing where to go, we can help with a local tour guide with any bookings.

Discover Uruguay

Uruguay is nestled between its two larger neighbors, Argentina and Brazil, and is considered the Pearl of the South in Latin America. It is known for its laid-back lifestyle, wineries, rolling countryside, exotic birds, and beautiful oceanfront beaches. Uruguay is safe and politically stable. It offers excellent infrastructure and friendly local people. Visitors from all over the world and the region choose Uruguay as their paradise to spend holidays, vacations and to explore the depths of what this magnificent country has to offer.

Finding steps into Uruguay carries us back from these far-flung territories, with winding roads unfolding into open prairies, cattle lands, vast uncrowded areas, unusual to find in such a small country, where much was invested in the developments of agricultural production.

Thanks to its strategic geographic position at the mouth of the River Plate with a natural port, it initially attracted merchants to the region, and they developed commerce, which attracted European immigrants to find future in these lands. Uruguayans are great ambassadors to their homeland, unfailingly friendly and some of the most serene and pleasant people you are likely to find anywhere else.

Wide Range of Experiences

What are you looking for when vacationing or searching for a country to possibly live in full or part-time? Finding the right travel destination depends on each person and what your expectations are. Are you seeking tranquility at the beach watching sunsets, enjoying nature in the countryside or do you love the bustling cities and its nightlife? Uruguay has it all and offers a wide variety of different activities and places for all type of personalities and what someone is looking for.

Uruguay’s Beaches are among the most unspoiled ones in South America

The beaches are incredibly beautiful especially going east from Montevideo up the coast to Punta del Este, La Barra, Manantiales, Jose Ignacio and further east up the coast passing Rocha towards Brazil. There are still many spots where you can find yourself alone, which is rare to find nowadays. They are also clean and white and invite for long beach walks along the waves from the Atlantic Ocean.

Uruguay belongs to the list of safest countries in Latin America

Uruguay has been making progress and continued recovery after its last financial crisis back in 2002. Today, this small country is off the radar from any political uproar or terrorism and has become the playground for the rich and famous to spend their vacations in the beach resorts during the summer month. Still be aware and cautious for any petty theft, which can occur in any country around the world, but in general, Uruguay is safe to walk around at all times during the day and night.

Uruguay Climate

Uruguay has four seasons with relatively mild winters and hot summers and some rain throughout the year. The temperatures depend a bit on the area if inland or on the coast and are similar like the ones on the Mediterranean coast. Summer temperatures between December and March are anywhere between 28 to 35 Celsius (82°F to 95°F) on average. During the winter month, June till August, it is cooler with an average of 10-15 Celsius (50 °F to 59°F), but there are almost no freezing point temperatures and warmer days in the low 20’s (68 °F) can occasionally occur as well. The countries mild climate is because it is located within a temperate zone, and there are no extreme temperatures.

Uruguay offers true Nature and “Gaucho” experience

Driving only 30-60 minutes inland from the coastal areas, you will find yourself already in pure nature where Gauchos can be found and resemble the cowboys from the old times. They still herd cattle and sheep and get from places to places on their horses. They have tremendous knowledge of the countryside and dress accordingly. Their appearance is rather rough, and they live in freedom but are very kind people. Many ranches (estancias) in the interior transformed into small comfortable Bed & Breakfast hotels where you can spend the night and enjoy great hospitality and feel warmly welcomed by locals, do horseback riding, some fishing, experience the true beauty of this land and delicious traditional meals.

Uruguay and it’s untouched indigenous Forests to explore

Uruguay still has so much land completely untouched and uninhabited, which is greater than the populated areas. The size of Uruguay is about two times smaller than Germany with a total population of only near 3.5 Million leaving vast natural landscapes with no sign of human life that stretch as far as the eye can see. There are some hills and forests in Uruguay that have remained untouched throughout time, allowing the ecosystem to evolve freely. These areas can be visited as long as you take good care not to ruin nature’s long hard work.

Old Architecture and Historic Buildings from the Colonial Period

Uruguay has one of the best Architectural Universities in South America and is very advanced when it comes to Modern Architecture. However, you will find many buildings with different architectural styles all over the place across the country. Uruguay is not afraid to develop and innovate, but at the same time, it cherishes its cultural past. Many projects are focused on the renovation of old historical buildings from the Colonial period, especially in the capital city Montevideo. Some other urban places, like the historic city of Colonia del Sacramento, have been maintained since the 17th century. Colonia is a territory that was fiercely disputed during the wars between Spain and Portugal and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Watching the Stars at Night

Uruguay has very clean air due to almost non-existence of heavy industry. The sky at night is clear and the stars and moon a special sight. In the Southern Hemisphere, you can see more stars and constellations than you ever knew existed if you’re from the northern part of the equator. Especially in a rural area, the sky is offering a better sight as there are no lights in sight. Visiting the fishing village of Cabo Polonio, which has no electricity and has become a tourist attraction, offers to see the Milky Way in all its glory while listening to the sound of waves in the ocean.

Friendly Locals in the Communities

Uruguayans are very friendly people who are used to work in the service sectors for years. They are very welcome to foreigners visiting Uruguay and don’t envy the ones who live here. They are happy with what they have and are in general very helpful and accommodating to visitors, although many natives don’t speak English. There is a trend though that young Uruguayans start to learn English already in school and this will transform Uruguay even further in the future into an International community where you find many Europeans and North Americans working and living together with locals. You will also see that the old tradition of drinking “Mate,” a special herbal tea, has not evaded and the locals walk around with their thermos jugs under the arm all day long.

Uruguay has one of the Best Meats and Exports of various Agricultural Products to many Countries

Cows are freely roaming in the country and are grass-fed without any additives. They live a very peaceful life, which results in very tender beef and Uruguayans claim is the best in the world. Locals cook their meat on the “Parilla,” a special large BBQ, on a regular basis and you may get invited to a traditional “Asado” to enjoy a gathering of friends and family.

Uruguay has extensive trade relations, currently exporting to 120 countries and a strong international integration with free trade agreements in the region, which allows access to 400 million people worldwide. Thanks to this, Uruguay has established itself as a solid export platform, making the country accumulating 56% of Latin America’s GDP. Uruguay has strengthened the macroeconomic variables together with a dynamic economic performance.

Uruguay’s Technology, Infrastructure and Health System

Although there are no trains, the bus services are quite efficient. You can get by in Uruguay without a car and venture into fascinating towns with vineyards nearby and small cattle ranches.

Internet is very advanced, faster than in many other countries and fiberglass optic installations are now common in the bigger cities like Montevideo and Punta del Este.

Uruguay has seen a steady economic growth and an ample spectrum of new developments taking place. It is also betting on innovation as a cross-cutting component for the transformation of products and services that generate added value and skilled employment. Technology infrastructure has given Uruguay easy access to global markets thanks to its privileged geographical location and developed logistic infrastructures.

The health system is good and affordable compared to other countries, and hospitals continue to expand and modernize their equipment to offer state of the art health care.

Experience a less Stressful Life and slower Pace

Many people describe Uruguay as a country that goes at a slower pace. If you come from a place where the pace is quick and always going, you immediately will realize the slower pace in this country. “Tranquilo” is the word, which means take it slow. This is especially more pronounced in the smaller towns outside the capital city Montevideo. You will find yourself back in time detached from the rest of the world. An ideal place to recharge your batteries and enjoy a timeless time.

 

Article by Kathleen Pedicord from LiveandInvestOverseas.com

Where should you spend your Retirement!

Swaying away in a hammock on a Caribbean beach?

Or perhaps you daydream about a Pacific coastal hideaway with the crashing surf just beyond your back yard?

Maybe you want city distractions to keep you occupied in your retirement years…or, maybe, you yearn for nothing more than a few private acres in a cool mountain region where your neighbors would be few and the views and the climate idyllic…

Beach, city, mountains…in the Americas, on the Continent, or in Asia…the very appealing, affordable, safe, beautiful, and welcoming options for your retirement are many.

How will you choose? Where should you go?

Uruguay!

As a friend and recent expat resident of this country, Lee Harrison put it in a report he has filed this week for publication to our Global Property Investor’s Marketwatch members, “Uruguay seems unstoppable. Despite the world’s economic conditions, property investments in this country have continued to perform admirably for the foreign investor.

“In Montevideo, real estate prices rose more than 22% just last year…while in selected neighborhoods in Punta del Este, prices climbed as much as 50%. In Colonia, one plot of land I looked at along the waterfront has jumped an amazing 500% since 2005.

“Uruguay, as viewed by the North American, has changed since I arrived on the scene in 2004. Most notably, costs have risen thanks to the strength of the Uruguayan peso and the sinking value of the dollar. But even as the cost of living and of real estate rose, Uruguay became ever more popular, as both a lifestyle and an investment destination.

“Then the recession began. And, to be honest, as a resident and property owner I was concerned. According to an army of newsletter writers, the whole world would be dragged down, and stay down way past the end of my lifetime.

“But an odd thing happened. It seemed that the weaker the superpowers’ economies became, the more people found appeal in Uruguay; a stable commodity-based economy with a sound banking system. Money poured in to Uruguayan banks from around the world, and Uruguayan properties became hot investment targets.

“Then the increased political turmoil around the world brought even more people to this tiny country. Uruguay is neither an aggressor nor a target of aggression in the world arena, and it’s not a high-stakes player in world politics. So whoever takes power as a result of the Arab Spring won’t matter here…pieces falling off the EU will have little effect…and if Israel’s lobbyists are successful in getting the U.S. to really ‘get tough’ with Iran, the resultant risks won’t impact Uruguay.

“Accordingly, people are coming to Uruguay in record numbers, with residency applications up over 300% since 2007…many of them coming from the U.S…”