Montevideo does not allow smoking in enclosed spaces -- all stores, restaurants, cafes, and buses. Gaelic Cafe on Rincon/Ciudadela has a good upstairs for a late afternoon coffee. Parque Laroche by park Rodo and the park at Vazquez Ledesma have weekend markets.
A beautiful city! It was a great surprise to know Montevideo and I recommend everybody to do the same. You won't regret it.
Punta del Este … Plaza Artigas has a covered market, a small skateboard bowl, and often a live band on weekends. Winter is June/July, but the beaches are still great to walk on, and in sunny weather the harbor is packed with people.
Pocitos Hostel in Montevideo … Great place, close to the beach. The owners make sure that everybody has a good time and they had a bbq in their backyard.
HI - Montevideo - Ciudad Vieja Hostel in Montevideo … Great Hostel! Very cozy and also very fun! The house is incredible, placed in the middle of the old town, and also at one block from all the bars and discos. I had the best time and the staff is so friendly.
Hostelling Colonial in Colonia del Sacramento … This is a lovely, quiet hostel, with a friendly, helpful staff. It is located close to the ferry, good restaurants and shops. The rooms were clean and large. We borrowed the bicycles for a quick ride to the older section of town. This is a great secret get-away, so don't tell anyone!
Red Hostel Montevideo in Montevideo … This hostel is totally new, with the best atmosphere and best location. Just go!! You are going to enjoy it.
1949 Hostel in Punta del Este … Ok, so maybe the rooms can be a little tight, bathrooms a little old (but they have been remodeling them!), but this is the place to be. There's an awesome bar with views of the sea, walk two blocks to the "calm beach" and maybe four to the "waves beach." Awesome staff, always fun to be had!
Balconada Beach Hostel in La Paloma … This place is amazing. It's small enough so you feel like a family when staying there. The staff are so friendly. The bar is a lot of fun. The beach is across the street! What more can you ask for?
Planet Montevideo Hostel in Montevideo … They have a problem with men peeping into the womens dorm i was in through peepholes in an closed interconnecting door. Staff taped it up, but evidence of old tape, not putting something solid up to prevent this, and the casual "no problem, i'll get the tape" of staff suggests this is an ongoing problem. Otherwise it has clean showers/toilets with a locking door. Also a strictly enforced rule of silence after 1:30 a.m. There is a small TV room/lounge downstairs, and an eating area, with small tables, two computers, and a very small bar/kitchen area. Breakfast is from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. There were mostly men there.
HI - Colonia - El Viajero Hostel Suites in Colonia del Sacramento … They allow check-in at any time, also at 4 in the morning in the dorm room. Eight beds dorm. mixed room is without a window, so air become very heavy in the night.
Backpacker de La Barra in Punta del Este … The place is very nice, but the low point is the people who work there! They don't seem to care about the people in the hostel. Backpacker is VERY FAR AWAY from the beaches, almost 10 or more blocks from the first ocean beaches. They only care about the money. One friend of mine made a reservation via Internet with his credit card, and then he tried to cancel it ONE WEEK before and they didn't do it. They charged him for the room anyway. They always talk about the rules of the place, but they don't follow them. Backpacker should have a rulebook so the staff could learn how to treat guests!!!
Aramaya Hotel in Montevideo … It was in a very sorry-looking state. The rooms are dilapidated and poorly furnished. Street noise is a real problem from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The hotel's only real plus point is its central location.
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