Uruguay Comes To Europe

Uruguay has started to gain extensive real estate interest from across the globe. At the SIMA exhibition in Madrid last week there was a substantial presence from both developers and local government.  A largely undiscovered region by most European investors, Property in Uruguay has been a secret held closely under wraps by the Americans and Canadians for some time until now.

With Brazil gaining popularity over the last few years, many people who have never looked at South America before due to fears over safety and the distance from Europe are now coming to realize that whilst the West is still reeling from the recent credit crunch, the South American markets are booming and a lot of peoples’ initial fears over security were unfounded.

Areas such as the capital, Montevideo, have substantial levels of investment going into its infrastructure. It is also reported that the new airport is costing around $134 million dollars. This will help bring in even more tourists as well as make Uruguay more accessible for flights to the country, where businesses are also going from strength to strength.

Uruguay has many other positive things going for it:

• SECURITY - Uruguay is one of the safest countries in the world.
   
• INFRASTRUCTURE - Uruguay offers easy access from any part of the world and has adequate domestic communications, quality hotels and state-of-the-art equipment.
   
• HISTORY- Uruguay bridges American and European history. Once part of the Spanish Empire, it holds many testimonies of the Colonial past. Yet it also keeps the memory of its Aboriginal population and of the multiple migrations that have left their trace on its people and culture.
   
• THE PEOPLE - Uruguayans are good hosts and friendly by nature. Whether from the country or the city, they are always ready to help the visitor and enjoy a friendly chat, to exchange opinions and experiences with other people.
   
• CLIMATE - There are no extreme temperatures in Uruguay. The average is 12ºC in winter and 25ºC in summer. The sky is clear and there is no pollution in the air.
   
• CULTURE - Uruguay has the highest literacy rate in the continent - 97% - and the majority of the population has completed secondary, technological or university studies. There is a rich tradition of writers, artists, musicians and scientists, many are or have been distinguished international figures. Museums, exhibitions and cultural centres can be found in any of the Uruguayan cities. The country occupies the sixth position in the Environmental Sustainability World Index 2002.
   
• CUISINE - The national dishes include traditions of very different origins. From the classical "parrilla" - typical speciality of beef and other of its sub-products, roasted over coals - to the characteristic Spanish or Italian dishes. The Uruguayan menu is tasty and varied, and its wines have gained international recognition. Many other national dishes, which have arrived in the country with different immigration waves, can also be tasted.
   
• FUTURE - The level of education of its inhabitants and the investments made in strategic areas, produce a favourable forecast for the country's next decade. As key access to Mercosur, a market of 200 million inhabitants, it is also a primary strategic enclave. One third of the tourists arrive in the country through Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay. 42% of the country's population lives in Montevideo, which offers numerous day and night cultural activities, and a wide range of restaurants and hotels. This estuary of the River Plate also offers 22 kilometres of white, sandy beaches. Whilst Montevideo and Punta del Este are the main focus points for most European investors there are other areas which are gaining interest.

Below we give a short guide to the different areas including Montevideo and Punta del Este:

• POCITOS - Ideal if you are looking for a crowded beach. It is 15 minutes from the city centre and is a meeting place for children, youngsters and adults. During the summer season volleyball, rugby, football and even kite-flying competitions are held here.
   
• CARRASCO - is the most important residential area in Montevideo. Its large houses, old and modern, its leafy streets and tranquillity, are the perfect surroundings for a vast beach of very fine, white sand. The imposing Casino Carrasco Hotel, with its classical architecture, gives this area of Montevideo and European touch.
   
• OCEAN BEACHES - Rocha adds to this menu an exquisite touch with its ocean beaches, enormous waves, very salty water and incredible landscapes. Here, all kinds of tastes are also catered for. Lonely or crowded beaches, noisy or silent, with huge waves or calm waters, with thousands of options for having fun or the unique possibility of isolating oneself from the world, forgetting the time and being guided only by the sun. The Atlantic Ocean in Rocha gives you the chance of defying the waves on a surfboard. Fishing, gathering algae to make fritters, taking the best photos standing on a rock or an immense dune, and witnessing the best sunrises or sunsets on the sea.
   
• CABO POLONIO - You can reach Cabo Polonio in a horse-drawn cart or in a 4-wheel-drive truck. In Cabo Polonio there is no electricity or paved streets. There are no cars and time doesn't matter. El Cabo boasts rustic huts and a lighthouse, an immense ocean where sea lions abound and absolute peace.
   
• LA PALOMA - It is the most popular resort in the Department of Rocha. This may well be because of the variety of its beaches. "La Balconada" is the most popular amongst young people, who flock to it to applaud the sunset. "Los Botes" is a peaceful beach where fishing boats lie. "El Cabito" is ideal for young children because of its tame waters. "Solari" is the surfers' favourite. Family groups prefer "La Aguada", "Costa Azul" and "Antoniópolis". Apart from its beaches, "La Paloma" has busy day and nightlife with many bars and restaurants, shops, its casino and discos.
   
• LAS CAÑAS - is a good example of the beautiful river beaches that Uruguay has to offer. This resort, situated near Fray Bentos in a privileged natural surrounding, has more than 90 hectares of native forest, with ceibos, sarandíes, guayabos, arrayanes and espinillos, and white sandy beaches, as well as very many canes ("cañas") from where the name has been taken.
   
• SANTA ANA - This resort on the River Plate is 155 kilometres from Montevideo, along Route 1 in the Department of Colonia. It is best known for the peace that can be found there. As well as vast beaches, Santa Ana has almost half a million native trees that surround the coast, which give it a wild touch and lots of shade.
   
• LA COSTA DE ORO - The strip along the River Plate which lies between Montevideo and Maldonado is known as "La Costa de Oro" (the Golden Coast) due to the colour of its sand. This coast which is 70 kilometres long belongs to the Department of Canelones and is chosen by thousands of people for their holidays because of the great variety of beaches it offers. As it is so close to Montevideo, it is also ideal for a weekend or even a day's escapade. Divided into 30 resorts with easy access from the "Interbalnearia" Route. The most important are: Salinas, Marindia, El Fortín, Atlántida, Parque del Plata, La Floresta, Costa Azul and Cuchilla Alta.
   
• ATLÁNTIDA - Is the busiest resort in the "Costa de Oro". Just 45 kilometres from Montevideo, Atlántida has a zoo, an amusement park, ice-cream shops and many other sorts of entertainment for children. The beaches are very popular and there are sports activities for all ages. There is also a busy nightlife with cinema, casino, numerous restaurants and discos where you can dance till dawn.
   
• PIRIÁPOLIS - Only a few minutes from Punta del Este lays this resort with its promenade ("Rambla") which resembles the most classical European resorts. Its main attractions are the seven hills that surround it and beaches for all tastes. In summer Piriápolis welcomes thousands of visitors who fill its ice-cream shops, its casino, its discos and restaurants. Another of its treasures, which must not be missed, is the Natural Reserve, situated at the foot of the "Pan de Azúcar" hill, where 400 native species live in their natural habitat, and where several species in danger of extinction, such as the “pampa” deer, breed.
   
• PUNTA DEL ESTE - Punta del Este is internationally recognised as America's main seaside resort. It's the main dish in this beach menu. Whoever tries it is hooked forever. Situated in the Department of Maldonado, it has ocean as well as river beaches. All of them are worthwhile, although each year a different one becomes fashionable. Youngsters troop to it as well as people from the show business, surrounded by photographers and cameras. Some of its most famous beaches are Portezuelo, (at the foot of the "Sierra de la Ballena"), the strip of beaches from "Pinares" to "Las Delicias", and the so-called "tame beaches" among which are "El Grillo" and "La Pastora". After passing the tip of the Peninsula we can find "El Emir", "de los Ingleses", the famous "Brava" and "San Rafael" beach. Finally, we come to beaches of the "Barra" with its characteristic undulating bridge and the "Manantiales" beaches. On the way to "José Ignacio" there are many more spectacular stretches of white sand, some populated and others almost untouched.

Punta del Este never sleeps and there's always something to do. Plus the unique quality of its architecture, unspoilt coastline and abundant forests give it a characteristic personality that differentiates it from other international resorts.
Punta del Este is a delicious dish, even for the most demanding palate.

All in all, Uruguay is one of the sleeping giants for the real estate world, both for life style and investment on the mid to long term.

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