Gustavo
UruguayRALF member since 06 Jun 2013
Hi, I am Gustavo Padrón
I'm from Montevideo, Uruguay
This profile is featured as a Local Guru, a community member who shares who brings authentic stories and useful local perspectives.
About me
A kind, caring, peaceful and naturalist boy who loves to discover new places and meeting people different cultures. I usually host people at home all over the world, so I'm always ready to help in any way I can and to learn something of each single person. I have a wide and diverse set of interests, and I love to make trips around the city, organizing events, share long conversations and being up for new challenges and experiences.
friend presentation
Interests
- Culture & Local Events
- Art, Photography & Writing
- Family & Kids
- Gastronomy
- Local Shopping
- Sports & Outdoor
- Wellness & Nature
City's Tips & Traps
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Tip
Blanes Museum
The Juan Manuel Blanes Municipal Museum of the Arts is located some distance the center of Montevideo but the trek there is worth it. Housed in a gorgeous mansion, you can begin to understand the present-day culture of the country, and the works of the artists on permanent exhibition give much insight into the Uruguay’s rather mysterious past.To get there Blvd. Espana or Blvd. Artigas in Pocitos, take the 183 bus line. You’ll enjoy a nice tour through Montevideo’s various neighborhoods before being delivered to Milan Avenue, directly in front of the Blanes Museum. Stone sculptures on either side of the wide driveway observe the guests as they enter the grounds. The yard accompanying the mansion is filled with towering trees, their branches shading the benches below.As you climb the marble steps, pass the Grecian-like columns, and enter into the majestic home, you can almost hear a soundtrack of fervent candombe drumming mixed with the marching beat of the Uruguayan national anthem. Inside the museum, you’ll find permanent exhibitions of two of Uruguay’s most celebrated artists—Juan Manuel Blanes and Pedro Figari. The two are well known not only for the aesthetic beauty of their work but also for their immense contribution to the culture and the history of the nation.Juan Manuel Blanes, born in 1830, was the darling of the politicians of the time. Although he painted many noteworthy portraits, which can be seen at the museum, two massive paintings dominate his exhibition. The first, Juramento de los Treinte y Tres Orientales, is a fictitious scene. Translated as “The Oath of the 33 Orientals”, it chronicles the moment in 1877 when Captain Lavalleja and his compatriots landed on the Rocha coast to first plant the “Liberty or Die” flag. It is a scene of handsome rugged soldiers and noble and almost savage gauchos. They say that this was an important moment in the Uruguayan struggle for independence but it is now known that the scene did not happen in such a grandiose and elegant way; the “33 Orientales” were in fact a bedraggled group of less than 20 men, some in their early teens.The second painting, La Revista de 1885, is an artistic fanfare of President Maximo Santos and his retinue. Covering a whole wall, the painting is set in the Independence Plaza, and is composed of multiple portraits of proud soldiers on horseback. The masterpiece inspires a sense of grandeur and awe, yet the scene is fictitious. In the background, Blanes has painted the well-known statue of Artigas on horseback, however, strangely, there are certain differences between the painted version and the actual statue, which now sits on the plaza. The painting predates the real thing: Blanes painted the statue while the project for the statue was still in the planning stage. Nonetheless, the paintings are worthy of much admirationPedro Figari could be considered the antithesis of Blanes as he documented Uruguay’s history in such a different way. Born in 1861, Figari become a lawyer and worked as an advocate for the poor. He was instrumental in the abolition of the death sentence in Uruguay, and his paintings reflect his values. Primarily, his figures are not recognizable individuals. They are common people in their daily lives. He painted country folk in their homes, in funerals, and at work. He painted emancipated slaves in their tenement housing, in parties, and at the carnival. Known for his passion for candombe music, the figures in Figari’s paintings are brightly colored, so full of vitality that their limbs seem to be almost elastic with movement. Although he did not completely dedicate himself to painting until he was in his sixties, his passion was evident. In the estimated 4,000 paintings he created, his aim was clear—to paint sensations, to depict pure energy of life instead of realistic scenes.The legacies left by Pedro Figari and Juan Blanes are extremely important. While Figari has encouraged the celebration of Uruguay’s unique folk culture, Blanes has encouraged patriotism and zeal for the country. -
Tip
Uruguayan Parliament
Palacio Legislativo - national parliament, the first one in South America and an iconic symbol of Uruguay´s long lasting democracy.The construction of this building started in 1904 sponsored by the government of President José Batlle y Ordoñez.It was designed by Italian architects Vittorio Meano and Gaetano Moretti, who planned the building's interior. Among the notable contributors to the project was sculptor José Belloni, who created numerous reliefs and allegorical sculptures for the building.The building was declared a National Historic Monument in 1975 by the government of President Juan María Bordaberry. -
Tip
Mercado Del Puerto
The centre of traditional Uruguayan food and beverage in Montevideo is the Mercado del Puerto (\"Port Market\"). This complex contains a considerable range of restaurants and cafes.La Palenque restaurant serves Uruguayan and Spanish cuisine with a variety of lamb, pork and cold meats dishes with vegetables, paella, rice and shellfish. Additionally, the market is host to various cultural events on Saturdays.The Mercado del Puerto is the city's most famous area for parillas (\"barbecues\"). The open-aired building which houses the market was built in 1868.While originally a venue for fresh produce, it is now filled with parillas.The structure was built in the style of a nineteenth-century British Railway station. It is listed among \"The Best Markets\" in South America by mer's -
Tip
Punta Brava Lighthouse
Punta Brava Lighthouse (Faro de Punta Brava), also known as Punta Carretas Lighthouse, is a lighthouse in Punta Carretas, Montevideo, Uruguay. It was built in 1876, and is 21m tall. Its light reaches 15 miles away, with a flash every ten seconds. The lighthouse is still important for guiding boats into the Banco Inglés, Buceo Port or the entrance of the Santa Lucía River, west of Montevideo city. -
Tip
Punta Carretas Shoping Centre
Punta Carretas Shopping is a recycled penitentiary which was originally inaugurated in 1910. For decades, this jail and the church were the only important buildings in this neighborhood. Once an abandoned place, this location turned into a relevant 3 stores mall with 210 shops and an exclusive proposal when it comes to choose the best in Montevideo. -
Tip
Carnival Museum
The Carnival Museum is opposite the port of Montevideo. It is an interesting way of understanding the feeling of this festival that managed to join different cultures.It is well-known that Montevideo celebrates the longest carnival in the world. It goes January till March and it includes rehearsals, stage preparation, parades and 40 days in a row of events. Nobody can be indifferent to the sound of the drums and the music of the murgas. This is the reason why the Carnival Museum was created in the storehouses at 218 25 de Agosto de 1825 Promenade, near the port market. The place is fully equipped so that visitors can understand that carnival is more than just a festival. It is a way of life for this city. -
Tip
Manos del Uruguay
Manos del Uruguay is a non-profit social organization which, since 1968, has provided jobs for craftswomen living in Uruguay rural areas. In Manos, garments are designed and knitted -mainly with wool yarns- for the local market and for renowned international brand-name clothesManos del Uruguay defends and promotes Uruguayan identity, being part of the weave that constitutes the essence of our country, where culture and tradition are mixed in an exchange that is reflected in each one of our knitted products.During 2009, and after a long and exhaustive evaluation process, Manos del Uruguay was accepted as a member of the World Fair Trade Organization WFTO, which operates in 70 countries and brings together more than 350 organizations, 100% committed to Fair Trade.This achievement acknowledges Manos del Uruguay mission of eradicating poverty through sustainable economic growth, enabling craftspeople to improve the quality of their craft products, so that, in this way, they can continue their personal development. -
Tip
Cycling at the coast
Get yourself a bike and go cruising along the walking-jogging-cycling track that follows the riverfront Rambla! Bikes can be rented at both the Montevideo Hostel and the Ciudad Vieja Hostel. If all that seems a bit too energetic, bus 64 goes Av 18 de Julio along the coast road - just jump off when you see a beach you like :) -
Tip
Cheap Shops at Jews District
There is so much in clothes and shoes – I wouldn’t even begin to know where to look! Close to Christmas and New Year, this is the place to go to get your supply of fireworks. Also, around any “themed event” you will find all you need. Now for example, the shops are full of Halloween supplies and decorations. A lot of the shops advertise that they sell “por mayor” or “por menor” – so either wholesale or retail. Some sell both, whereas some are purely wholesale. Don’t be scared off by the “por mayor” shops, because we found that the quantities you need to buy to get the deals aren’t all that high. One shop we bought a few things , had a minimum purchase of $60 (Uruguayan pesos) per item, which is around U$S 3, so it really isn’t a big deal.Now, don’t come here looking for designer clothes and shoes, or top quality items. This is a place where you can find a true bargain. Stock up on socks, sheets or towels, get your party supplies, footballs (soccer balls) or some bargain clothes or shoes. Don’t come here if you are short on time in Montevideo, only if you have a spare day, and don’t mind hunting out a bargain.And, while you are here, check out this little street of cutely painted houses. It is like Montevideo’s own minature version of La Boca (Buenos Aires) without the tourists, fame and all that goes on over there. -
Tip
Santa Lucia River Boat Tour
A chance to live the protected area of the beautiful Santa Lucia River, making a boat ride comfortable and safe, listening to the sound of birds, watching a unique landscape, sipping a drink and enjoying the experience rather than the attractive navigation. -
Tip
Solis Theatre
A visit to Montevideo really wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Teatro Solis. Teatro Solis is a real gem, a credit to Uruguay, and a fine example of Uruguayan history. The official inauguration of the Teatro Solis was on the 25th of August, 1856 – over 150 years ago – and today it continues to be an important feature of the Montevideo landscape, close to the heart of the Ciudad Vieja and Plaza Independencia.To explore the Teatro Solis, you can take in one of the many shows. There are regular performances at the Teatro Solis, including theatre, ballet, orchestra and comedy. You can check out their website for program information and details (at the moment, it is all in Spanish).There are also guided tours which are a great opportunity to see the behind the scenes, and to get a taste of the history of this Montevideo icon. The tours are operated Tuesdays through to Sundays. The timetable below was extracted the website (hopefully it is current). They do tours in Spanish, English, French and Portugese.Tuesdays and Thursdays: 4pmWednesdays: 11am, 12pm & 4pm (free).Friday and Sunday: 11am, 12pm and 4pm.Saturday: 11am, 12pm, 1pm & 4pm. -
Tip
Centenarial Stadium
Estadio Centenario is a stadium in Parque Batlle, Montevideo, Uruguay, used primarily for football. The stadium was built between 1929 and 1930 to host the 1930 FIFA World Cup, as well as to commemorate the centennial of Uruguay's first constitution. It is listed by FIFA as one of the football world's classic stadiums, along with the likes of Maracanã, Wembley Stadium, San Siro, Estadio Azteca, and Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. On July 18, 1983 was declared by FIFA as The only historical monument of World Football, the only building of its kind (worldwide).The Uruguayan national team has always been a threat when playing in their home stadium, consistently beating top teams. Even the top ranked Brazil national football team has only managed 3 wins in 20 opportunities, although only one was an official match. -
Tip
Tristán Narvaja Fair Market
Montevideo is known for its countless fairs. The largest and most popular one takes place on Sunday morning, on Tristán Narvaja Street, and its one of the typical tours of the city! The offer of items is as vast and rich as extravagant. You can buy from the traditional Sunday lunch pasta to books, vinyls, antiques, games, furniture and pets, amongst other items. -
Tip
Montevideo Hill
The Cerro (hill) has a height of 135 meters. At its summit is the Fortaleza General Artigas, its construction was complete in 1811, and it was the protagonist of important moments in the country’s history. It shelters a military museum and a historic lighthouse, the first in the Rio de la Plata. Down the hill you can find Vaz Ferreira park, the “rambla” and the beach, spots you cannot miss at the Hill´s Ville. It has a panoramic view of Montevideo’s bay.It´s the best point of view of our amazing city. -
Tip
Telecommunication Tower and Old Train Station
The 160 meters high Tower of modern aesthetics, along with four other buildings serve as headquarters for the public telecommunications company ANTEL. Within the complex, there is a tourist lookout, which is accessed through a panoramic elevator. There is also an interior public plaza, a 370 person auditorium, and the Museum of Telecommunications, which travels, the beginnings, the telephony history. Nearby is the Old Central Railway Station “General Artigas” built in the 1890s. 5 blocks north is the new station, suited to the aesthetics of its neighbor, the Telecommunication Tower. -
Tip
Summer Theatre
Above the Rodo Park quarries, across the Ramirez Beach is the Summer Theatre “Ramón Collazo”. A lot of important events take place here. The vault of the stage refurbished following the style of Eladio Dieste, a leading creator of the Uruguayan architect construction technology called “Armed Ceramics” worthing international recognition, based on the use of bricks in a curved surface creation. -
Tip
La Vaca Barbecue
Regarding the grill rioplatense, with fifteen years of experience, La Vaca offers a varied menu of meat stamped author, accompanied by a buffet or salad bar. Those who prefer can choose the classic accompaniments. Also, the chef's specialties are an option to consider in this grill that over the years has earned a place in the heart of the Uruguayans and foreigners who have visited. -
Tip
Fun Fun Bar
Fun Fun is that charming place you must know while you are in Montevideo. A place with history, memories, images. Its owners' warmth makes Tango more than a simple musical style! This place invites you with its traditional and exclusive drink called "Uvita". Montevideo´s night has a bit of FUN FUN in it ;) -
Tip
El Hacha Tango Bar & Restaurant
The Bar and Restaurant El Hacha (The Axe) is the oldest in Uruguay. Born as a General Store, along with the founding of the city, it was known for many years as the General Store of Juan Vázquez. On April 15, 1794, he named it after an infamous crime of the time, known eversince as EL HACHA (The Axe); and eventually it became the most traditional Bar of Montevideo. -
Tip
Four Points Hotel Montevideo
4 stars hotel located at our financial district. Four Points by Sheraton Montevideo is conveniently located in front of the city hall, a kilometer (10 blocks) away from Montevideo's old city, and five minutes away from Montevideo's Harbor. Its facilities include 135 bedrooms, an indoor heated pool and a restaurant. -
Tip
Contemporary Art Space
This place is exclusively devoted to contemporary art. Located in a renovated part of the ex-Miguelete prison.
