Things to Do in Kelowna & Okanagan Valley

Often overlooked by visitors to South America, the Uruguayan capital is an interesting mix of old and new. It may not have the glitz of Buenos Aires or Rio de Janeiro, but Montevideo offers a variety of plazas, beaches, historical monuments and shopping opportunities.

How to Get to Montevideo
The cruise ship port, Puerto de Montevideo, is located on the southern edge of the city, about a mile from the center of Montevideo. Taking a taxi is the best way to get to the center if your ship doesn’t offer a shuttle (many do). There are also leather stores for passengers that offer complimentary shuttles to their shops.

One Day in Montevideo
If you arrive on a weekend, start at the Mercado de Puerto, a street fair within walking distance of the port where you can sample a variety of traditional Uruguayan dishes. It is also open in the afternoon, so you might stop by as you return to your ship after a day of exploring.

Otherwise, kick off your visit in Plaza Independencia, Montevideo’s busy, modern square in the center of the city. The plaza stands on the site of an old citadel; keep an eye out for a stone that marks the division between the old and new parts of Montevideo. Also note the monument of Jose Gervasio Artigas, who led the battle for Uruguay’s independence from Spain, and the Palacio Salvo, which was once the tallest building in South America. From Plaza Independencia, check out the shops and cafes along Avenida 18 de Julio before stopping at the Museo del Gaucho y del la Moneda to peruse exhibits of cowboy clothing, artifacts and historical currency.

Next up is the Old City of Montevideo, also known as the “Ciudad Viejo.” Start your exploration at the Plaza Constitucion, where you can find a flea market on the weekends. Visit El Cabildo, the old town hall and former jailhouse that now serves as a museum showcasing historic maps, photos and artwork. Don’t miss Sarandi Street, a pedestrian mall with an array of outdoor sculptures.

If you’d like to get out of the city, think about joining an excursion to a local winery to learn about Uruguayan wine production and sample a few varieties. Or, head to an “estancia” to enjoy Uruguayan folk dancing and singing, participate in typical farm chores and sample a traditional Uruguayan meal.

Port Information
The official language in Uruguay is Spanish, but those who work in the tourism industry are likely to understand English. The currency is the Uruguayan peso, although US dollars may be accepted. ATM's are ready available. You can find an internet café right at the port, as well as throughout the city.

Built by the Jesuits to repel an attack from the sea, the Monte Fort (Fortaleza de Monte) is the oldest military fortification in the peninsula of Macau. With construction beginning in 1617 the Monte Fort was also seen as a measure of defense for the minority Christians to defend themselves from ethnic Chinese who comprised the religious majority.

With walls over 330 feet (100.6 meters) long and walls nearly 30 feet (9.1 meters) high the Monte Fort was solidly built and capable of storing enough munitions to withstand a two-year siege. Though cannons were readied and defense preparations made, the only military action the Monte Fort ever saw was during an unsuccessful raid by the Dutch in 1622. Looking to gain an advantage in the lucrative East Asian trading route, the Dutch laid a surprise siege on the Portuguese at Macau. Heavily outnumbered and inevitably doomed, a Jesuit, Portuguese priest hunkered inside Monte Fort fired a lone cannon shot which miraculously struck a Dutch gunpowder storage. Devastated by the ensuing explosion the Dutch fell into retreat and ultimately failed in their effort to take Macau. Officially regarded as the only time the cannons were fired in defense, the same cannons today (though now defunct) now point at the towering Casino Lisboa and the ultra-modern skyline of Macau.

Classified as part of the UNESCO Historical Centre of Macau, visitors to Monte Fort are welcome to peruse the grounds of the old fort and walk through the subterranean tunnels. A strategic compound on the hill with a sweeping view of the city, Monte Fort once briefly served as the residence for the Governor of Macau before the construction of a meteorological observatory in 1965. Finally, in 1998, the observatory closed in favor of the Museum of Macau, a place which continues to educate visitors on the unique heritage of Monte Fort and the overall history of Macau.

A Zapotec ceremonial center, Monte Albán crouches on a leveled mountain top. For a thousand years, the rulers of the city extracted wealth from the plains below. Today, the ruins offer panoramic views of the modern city of Oaxaca sprawling across the giant Oaxaca valley.

Monte Albán is the oldest city in the Americas. In addition to being unusually ancient (dating back to 500 BC), the site is unusually extensive. In its heyday, the city covered 25 square miles. Expanses of Monte Albán aren’t yet excavated, but it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to explore all the restored tombs and temples in one afternoon; the ruins encompass enormous plazas, a ball court, a mysterious monument known as the observatory, a network of underground tunnels, and a profusion of dank tombs, which were once decorated with bright frescoes and filled with treasures of gold and jade.