The typical tour starts in the Ciudad Vieja (Old City), heading to the Mercado del Puerto (Port Market), the Microcentro (Financial District), the Plaza Independencia (Independence Square), the Legislative Palace, the romantic neighborhood of El Prado, the Cerro de Montevideo and the elegant neighborhoods of Carrasco and Pocitos, finally arriving at La Rambla.
Montevideo has 30 Km. (18 mi) of shores with fine, white sands and calm waters. From Ramírez Beach (in the east) to Carrasco, all tourist services are available. The favorite beach for youngsters is Pocitos Beach, where soccer football, volleyball and water sports championships take place.
Apart from the Carnival, in Montevideo "las llamadas" ("calls") are famous; these are colorful and massive parades carried out along the streets of the neighborhoods Sur and Palermo, traditional dwelling of Afro-American descendants in Uruguay.
An interesting tour consists in visiting Colonia del Sacramento, 178 Km. (110 mi.) to the west of Montevideo. This 17th century city has been declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO for the excellent conservation of its architecture. The tour includes visiting the Spanish and Portuguese museums, the Port Area, the Plaza de Ferrando (Ferrando Square) and the Forest Reserve, the riverside path, until reaching Real de San Carlos, where the old Plaza de Toros (Bullring) is located.
Another tour you cannot miss is the visit to Punta del Este, 140 Km. (87 mi.) to the east of Montevideo. This city is known for the beauty of its vast beaches to enjoy the sea and the sun, or practice a wide range of recreational activities.
