Uruguay is not conventionally thought of as part of the African diaspora, yet during the period of Spanish colonial rule, thousands of enslaved Africans arrived in the country. Afro-Uruguayans played important roles in Uruguay's national life, creating th

They won the first soccer World Cup. There's a lot of beef raised on the pampa. That's all most people know about Uruguay. Bradt's Uruguay, the only dedicated English-language guide to a country that's small yet bursting with character, shows that the adventurous tourist can uncover much more. It provides in-depth coverage of the capital Montevideo, where the colonial Old City is being restored. There's also detailed information on the coastal city of Colonia (which is on UNESCO's World Heritage List) as well as Punta del Este, to whose beaches the Buenos Aires beautiful crowd flocks each summer. There's advice, too, for active travellers who can rattle their whips on cattle-ranching estancias and spin their sticks in a game of polo or two and for nature enthusiasts keen to watch wildlife in the western wetlands and birds in Cabo Polonio and Santa Teresa. Plus, the book investigates the Brazilian influences behind Uruguay's music and dance, and the country's Afro-Uruguayan culture, most noticeable in Carnaval.

Written by a Brit with all the contacts and knowledge accrued over almost twenty years living in Uruguay, this guidebook will make your holiday planning stress-free and ensure you have an unforgettable time in one of South America's least-explored destinations. The only Uruguay guides with passion and soul The Guru'Guay Guides are not endless dry lists. You have limited time. So the author selects only the very best or the most curious places and then goes into serious detail-so you can make travel decisions with confidence. The guide describes each destination, where to stay and eat, things to do, how to get there and features important 'what you should know' advisories. So easy to read, readers often devour a Guru'Guay guide in one sitting. The beaches Uruguay has an extremely short high season. The rest of the year you'll have the entire beach to yourself. Roam the sandy streets of hippie hideaways in Rocha, commune with thousands of seals in the Hebridean solitude of Cabo Polonio and check out Jose Ignacio, a former fishing town frequented by the likes of Mark Zuckerberg. The guide looks at each beach, when to visit (crucial to avoid crowds), where to stay (including renting) and where to eat. Off-season most seaside restaurants and hotels close down. On a mission to improve the beach economy, the guide only includes great hotels and restaurants open all year. Gaucho country Uruguayans refer to anywhere beyond Montevideo and the coast as "Uruguay profundo". The land is untouched and you may pass more gauchos on horseback than cars on the two-lane highways. Take a few days to kick back at a traditional cattle ranch or estancia. The Guru'Guay guide covers estancias to suit all tastes-from a rustic ranch owned by a gaucho couple, to the grand estancia of an Austrian-Uruguayan family with a lovely pool and capybaras in the garden, to a 'million-star' vegetarian inn specialising in adventurous horse rides in the stunning Rocha hills. An chart will help you choose the estancia that best suits your dream holiday. The friendliest wineries If you haven't tried Uruguayan wine yet, maybe it's because the entire wine production of Uruguay is equivalent to just one medium-size vineyard in neighbouring Argentina! A winery visit is uniquely friendly and personal. Your host will often be the wine-maker, the great grandchild of Italian immigrants, who still bottles their award-winning wines by hand. The dedicated wine traveller will love the lists of the best Uruguayan wines by local experts. Foodies - you've found your guide This is where Guru'Guay really comes into its own, uncovering unique eateries in a country primarily known for its beef. Like an urban 18-seat bistro run by an ex-motorbike mechanic which chefs are calling the most exciting thing to hit Uruguay culinarily in years. Or the best little foodtruck between the airport and the beach. Practical tips To make your stay stress-free and save you money, chapters include: Getting to Uruguay including flying, the ferry or coming overland Holidays and festivals The best festivals and where to stay close by What to bring So you save space for the wine you'll want to take home Driving and car hire including estimated drive times-GoogleMaps can be way out Food and drink What eating out costs, mealtimes and ten traditional dishes Staying healthy Essential tips on marijuana etiquette Money and tipping including the weirdest ATM hacks that actually work. Caveat regarding maps Why the author recommends picking up free paper maps at regional tourist centres when you arrive.

The highly regarded Cultures of the World series celebrates the diversity of other cultures in this fully updated and expanded edition.

Text and illustrations introduce the geography, history, government, people, and economy of Uruguay.

In defiance of the brutal military government that took power in Uruguay in the 1970s, and under which homosexuality is a dangerous transgression, five women miraculously find one another—and, together, an isolated cape that they claim as their own. Over the next thirty-five years, they travel back and forth from this secret sanctuary, sometimes together, sometimes in pairs, with lovers in tow or alone. Throughout it all, they will be tested repeatedly—by their families, lovers, society, and one another—as they fight to live authentic lives. A groundbreaking, genre-defining work, Cantoras is a breathtaking portrait of queer love, community, forgotten history, and the strength of the human spirit.