Thorn

Hi all! So, after three weeks of giving walking tours in Montevideo, we have heard some pretty bad things... Apparently, some of the cruise lines really like to put on the scare tactics to passengers--telling them things like, "don't wear rings or you'll get your fingers cut off by robbers" or "you can't walk from the port to the old city without getting mugged". We hope that this is at best an attempt to protect and warn people, or possibly just ignorance on the part of the cruise boats, but it sounds more like a devious way to get more money out of the passengers they scare... I just want people to know that Montevideo is a wonderful city with very low crime and highly educated and friendly people. Port areas are seldom the nice parts of town, but during the day, Montevideo puts out hundreds of police who patrol every corner. Unless you make an effort to be in the wrong place at the wrong time with your valuables dangling for all to see, you should have no problem at all. It's just sad that this country's reputation is tarnished while passengers pay ridiculous prices (most of which goes to the boat, since the cost of local tour agencies here is a fraction of those in 1st world countries). That may offer the comfort and security, but do not offer any authentic experience...

Hey RNSANE--hope you make it soon, drop me a note when you get it planned... Hey Marklyn--if you hook up with me on, I can deliver exactly what you're hoping for! Drop me a PM or email and I'll set you up with the perfect plan!

Thanks everyone, good to be here... If you need advice on Uruguay, I'm your guy, and if you're totally new to South America, I can help there too...

Thanks for the responses! Would love to keep getting info from anyone that's seen darts on the Star Princess... Weather in Sept I think is ideal Tonia--for me, being from Oregon, I have no probalem with the in between seasonal weather--it keep humidity and soaring temps down in the warmer ports, yet can still be sunny and pleasant in the cooler places. Although, it's also possible to get some cool and wet weather, too, but again, it's all about what your after...We've travelled to Peru, Chile, Argentina and Iguazu, all in the offseasons, and it made the weather totally pleasant--guess we just got lucky that it wasn't worse though, and it made the crowds lesser and prices cheaper...I'd say go for it. And, yes RSANE, Montevideo and Uruguay and Punta del Este are great. There are even more hidden gems here that you'll never get to by cruise boat though--I just got back from a romantic weekend retreat to a Spanish Fort and a couple nights at a prime bohemian coastal fishing village packed with partying college kids, called Punta del Diablo--in fact, if you ask me...all of the beach towns beat Punta del Este which is kind of a snooty Vegas meets Miami escape if you ask me, great, but pricier and packed in peak season--much better in off season, like when you went... If you have questions in general about Uruguay, I started a thread titled just that, be happy to answer anything there..but really, got a dart fetish I'm trying to find out if I can satisfy on board! Can;t wait! 35 days of repositioning in MArch!

Any time Mercedes!

Has anyone been on the Star Princess lately, and would know if they offer DARTS as an activity? I talked to a passenger last week, and he said they did. Can anyone confirm this? And, if so, can anyone describe the activity/schedule? Thanks! Adam from Uruguay

No prob Joey! Thanks for the warm sea breeze welcome... Well, we've lived in Montevideo for a year. This is a great place to live and visit, but nobody knows it. I'm sure most folks consider it the least eye-popping stop on their South American itinerary... We've traveled all around the country, including Punta del Este and Colonia--the only other two well know ports, all the beach towns, and into wineries and estancias, the other usual recommendations for visits. I could give people tons of advice on all of those things, so they could do it on there own... Punta del Este and Colonia or wine or ranches can easily be done in a day, even if you only port in Montevideo. Montevideo is where I could lend the most help, by letting folks know everything about the history and culture and giving them a full list of places to visit--beaches, museums, historical sites, viewpoints, shopping, sports, etc... So, any questions folks have, I can answer for ya and enhance your visit, and give you a more real experience than the cruise boat tour...

My name's Adam, and I'm a US teacher living in Montevideo. My wife and I have been here over a year, and I'm still amazed that so few people know anything about it, and how great it is here... If you have any questions about what to see and do when your boat stops in...just drop me an email! Be glad to help...