I'm Off to Uruguay

Q: We will be spending three weeks in Buenos Aires early next year and I would like to spend a few days in Uruguay. Ideally, I would like to visit Montevideo for a day and then spend two or three days in Punta Del Este. Could you suggest the best way to travel there from Buenos Aires? - Linda Drake

A: There are flights from Buenos Aires to both cities in Uruguay, but a good option (certainly for the forward trip) is to take the ferry to Montevideo and then a bus service to Punta del Este. The ferry takes around three hours and is a pleasant trip across the Rio de la Plata. On arrival in Montevideo you will have spectacular views of the city and the coastline. Ferry tickets sell out well in advance, so you need to book ahead for this trip. Use the www.buquebus.com website for full details. You can also book your trip from Montevideo to Punta Del Este at the same time. The bus service, which leaves from the Tres Cruces terminal in Montevideo, takes around two hours. If you don't want to do the bus/ferry combination on your return journey, you can fly directly from Punta Del Este to Buenos Aires. This will work out to be more expensive than the return bus and ferry ticket, but the flight takes only 45 minutes. Check flights and prices on the www.flypluna.com or www.aerolineas.com.ar websites. (27/11/11)