We'll begin our tour by visiting the highest point of the city, at roughly 400ft. Here we'll appreciate 360-degree breathtaking views of Montevideo and see the 1809 colonial fortress from outside.
Step into history as we journey through the heart of the Old City, tracing the very origins of our beloved metropolis. Wander through time amidst ancient buildings steeped in over 200 years of rich heritage. Marvel at the grandeur of iconic squares like Zabala, Constitution, and Independence Square, each adorned with magnificent monuments and architectural masterpieces like the Solis Theatre and Salvo Palace. Stand in awe beneath the arch of the Citadel's old Gateway, a testament to a bygone era. Discover treasures like the Metropolitan Cathedral and the historic National Bank building, each a testament to the city's enduring legacy. Uncover hidden gems like the Cabildo, where echoes of the past linger, and remnants of the fortified walls that once safeguarded Montevideo's glory. Join us on this captivating journey through time, where every step reveals a new chapter in the amazing history of our city.
Nestled near Cerro, awaits a hidden gem—a charming, historic residential neighborhood steeped in elegance and prestige. Journey back in time as we stroll through streets lined with stately manor houses, reminiscent of a bygone era when upper-class families graced these environs. Our adventure continues amidst the lush greenery of Prado Park, where intriguing sculptures await to captivate your imagination. Feel the serenity wash over you as you explore the verdant oasis, a tranquil haven amidst the bustling city. For art enthusiasts, a visit to the renowned Blanes Museum beckons—a treasure trove of masterpieces by Uruguay's most celebrated artists. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of creativity, where each brushstroke tells a story and every canvas whispers secrets of the past.
Prepare to be awestruck as we unveil the majestic Parliament House—a grandiose neoclassical masterpiece crafted from exquisite marble, standing proudly for nearly a century. Marvel at its towering columns, each a testament to architectural brilliance and historical significance. Stand next to the place where the very laws of Uruguay are forged, immersing yourself in the heart of governmental power and democratic tradition.
Now it's time for a tasty lunch. You'll have many options to choose from, such as a typical Uruguayan "asado" (bbq) at Mercado del Puerto, a 150 years old market. If you want to have another thing, you'll also have plenty of options, including pasta, empanadas, or if want, you can try our unofficial national dish, called Chivito. Lunch is at your own cost. Stopping for lunch is optional, we can skip it if you prefer.
Prepare to be swept away by the breathtaking beauty of the world's longest coastal walk! Along the way, we'll pause at select points to immerse ourselves in the splendor of panoramic vistas and indulge in strolls amidst nature's grandeur. Experience the sheer majesty of the coastline like never before, as each stop unfolds a new chapter in this extraordinary adventure.
From here we will see a spectacular view of Pocitos Bay, nested in one of the affluent neighborhoods of Montevideo.
Javier is an excellent ambassador for Montevideo and Uraguay. We learned so much about the history and culture of Montevideo, the day flew by! His experience is very apparent and not a single glitch from port pick up to delivering us back to our hotel.
This is my first trip to Uruguay and Montevideo, and I desired a city tour that wouldn’t just take me to the main sights and tick them off a list, as on any standard city tour. I wanted to learn more about the city, its individual neighbourhoods, the country’s history, its economy, politics, culture and Uruguayan society. How did the country gain independence? What are its relations with Brazil and Argentina like? Put simply, how does the city tick, how does the country tick? And, of course, I also wanted to find out a bit about football, nightlife, steak restaurants, tango, wineries, the Uruguayan way of life and so on. And that’s exactly what I got. Javier is a guide who loves his city and his country, and he really conveys that. It was a city tour with a difference, one that didn’t just take me past the historic sites and buildings but also into other neighbourhoods, complete with background information. Javier is a guide who is able to adapt the itinerary on the spot, and that’s what makes it so personalised, flexible and absolutely worthwhile. It was a fantastic day in Montevideo and I can recommend it 100 %. Thank you, Javier.
Javier was fantastic during my wife's and my adventure to Montevideo this month. Our goal was to learn more about the city from a longer term perspective rather than a quick visit. While taking us to highlighted sites, Javier provided insights and details beyond a standard tour. He is very friendly, extremely knowledgeable, and spoke excellent English. Javier went above our expectations, and we would recommend him to everyone.
… thank you Javier! The private tour with you was the most perfect introduction to Montevideo. We learned so much, and so appreciate your insights and willingness to answer all of our questions so thoughtfully. Your tour was truly the highlight of our first visit.
Javier is a wonderful tour guide. Polite, professional and very knowledgeable, he was kind enough after the tour to give us food and museum recommendations. Most tour guides, when they're done with the tour, do not bother to show that level of care. So thank you, Javier, for a wonderful day!
This sightseeing tour with Javier exceeded our expectations by far. Javier is very knowledgeable about his city and he gave us many details that were beyond those available in books, etc. His tour also included one of the most interesting viewpoints of Montevideo which, unfortunately, seems to be unknown by many or most visitors! The EV was very comfortable and sparkling clean. With Javiers guidance we could truly create a schedule and points to visit that suited us best. All in all a splendid experience that we can only highly recommend!
Great comprehensive, one day tour for 1st time visitors to Montevideo. Javier was absolutely fantastic, one of the best tour guides we’ve ever had. You get see so much more because this is combo tour of riding and walking. Add Javier’s in-depth historical knowledge and contacts in the city and you have an exceptional tour.
Montevideo, founded 1726 as a Spanish fortress, boasts a rich history from Artigas’ independence fight to modern democracy. Javier arrived on time, shared great insights, and tailored it to my interests. Highly recommend!
Javier is extremely knowledgeable and accommodating. He will also customize your experience based on your interests. His English is excellent. Beautiful country.
The Montevideo Tailor-Made Experience was truly exceptional and exceeded all expectations. Having a private tour with a local made the city come alive in a way that would be impossible on a standard tour. Our guide was incredibly professional and well-organised, ensuring that every part of the day flowed seamlessly. The itinerary felt perfectly tailored to our interests, allowing us to experience Montevideo at a comfortable pace while still seeing and learning so much. What really stood out was the guide’s passion for sharing their knowledge. Their insights into Montevideo’s history, culture, and everyday life were fascinating, and the information was delivered with genuine enthusiasm and clarity. It felt less like a tour and more like being shown around by a knowledgeable friend who truly loves their city. This private, tailor-made experience was one of the highlights of our trip. I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting a deeper, more authentic understanding of Montevideo through a professional, passionate, and engaging local guide.
The tour was really amazing. Javier was very kind, answering all my questions with lot of knowledge about the city. He took me with his van, which is very comfortable to every place we went. He was involved in every detail to make it a good experience.
Our tour of Montevideo with Javier was nothing short of exceptional. He is a true bank of knowledge and a passionate history buff who brings the city’s past and present to life in a fascinating, engaging way. Javier is incredibly polite, attentive, and flexible, always adapting the tour to our interests and pace. He speaks six languages effortlessly, which made communication seamless, and he is an excellent, confident driver—something that really added to the comfort of the experience. What truly sets Javier apart, though, is how extremely accommodating he is. He goes above and beyond to make sure you feel welcomed, relaxed, and well taken care of throughout the entire tour. If you’re visiting Montevideo and want a guide who is professional, warm, and deeply knowledgeable, Javier is an absolute gem. Highly recommended!
We had a wonderful day with Javier. He sent us detailed information before the tour which when you at visiting a strange country is very reassuring. The tour was very informative and well structured.we visited some lovely places that the cruise company did not offer it was a great day. Thank you Javier.
We spent a fantastic day with Javier. We did not go into the day with any specific itinerary in mind; we told he we wanted him to plan the day and to see what he thought we should see. He took us all over the city during the course of the day, including some of the more touristy places and some places that few visitors likely see. One of our favorite stops was our first one on "the hill" which overlooks Montevideo and gives a great overview of the city. Javier says most guides do not take guests up there because it is a bit of a drive (20 minutes or so), but we loved starting our day with that overview of the city. And more important than what we saw was spending the day with someone who clearly loves his job, his city, and his country. We talked about history - both what you'd read in the books and things that some try to brush under the table. We talked about culture, food, and (a little) about democracy. We had such a great day, and did not want it to end. Javier also helped us with suggestions for the rest of our stay, including restaurants, places to visit, and places we may want to avoid. Sometimes, a group bus tour is all you need, but the difference between the day we spent with Javier and the day we would have had as part of a larger group was striking, and well worth the additional cost. I cannot recommend this tour more highly; if he's available when you are in town, book him, and then tell him what you like (and/or don't like) and let him plan the day. And to truly get value from the day, make sure to spend the drives talking with him about his family, his history, and his views of the city and country. I was only able to give the tour five stars, but as the title suggests, this is really more of a "six star" experience. Thank you so much, Javier for your kindness, your knowledge, and the day you spent with us. Hopefully we will see you again another day.
Javier was an excellent guide. He was very knowledgeable and very friendly. He took us to all the major attractions in comfort.
We really enjoyed our tour experience, the tour gave a great insight into history and culture of Uruguay including the good the bad and the ugly, the greatest thing overall was Javier who befriended us from the moment we met, it was like your best friend showing you around his home city. Would highly recommend
Javier was an excellent guide. He showed us the best spots in Montevideo, including some real hidden gems in Ciudad Vieja that we never would’ve found on our own. He drove us around comfortably, took great care of us the entire time, and made the experience feel relaxed and personal rather than rushed. One of the highlights was taking us to Mercado del Puerto for absolutely amazing steaks. Overall, we spent half a day with him and it was 100% worth it. Highly recommended if you want to really experience Montevideo with someone who knows the city well.
A wonderful tour that showed all the facets of the city, bringing new areas to the normal old tow tours. Guide top.
Fantastic Experience!! Javier is an excellent guide, extremely knowledgeable, and very adaptable to one's needs and pace. This was my wife's and I first trip to Montevideo, and after this tour we feel like we've been there several times! We also have to stand out Javier's concern on safety. Thank you, Javier!!
Our guide picked us up with water for us and he was early. He was very knowledgeable about Montevideo and showed us some unique places. His English is perfect. He also offered recommendations for other things to do and helped us find a place to rent bikes. He is very nice and laid back. He really customized our trip to us!
Javier was our guide and he was excellent. We saw many places around the city. The private tour was the way to go because we could travel at our own pace and easily listen to all that the guide had to say. Javier was very knowledgeable about the area and the history as well. Besides enjoying ourselves we learned a lot about Uruguay and Montevideo!
We chose Javier because of his amazing 5-star reviews, and after spending the day with him, we can confidently say he deserves every one of them. His love for Montevideo is genuine, and his knowledge of the city’s history, culture, and architecture comes through in the best ways—only a true local would know. He even knew our ferry from Buenos Aires might be late. He knows which neighborhoods are best during the day, areas to avoid at night, and other insights that made every stop more meaningful. Javier has traveled extensively so he understands how to tailor a tour to visitors. We visited local neighborhoods, historic sites, and places we’d never have discovered on our own. Over lunch, we learned about his love for animals which added to our appreciation of him as a person. It truly felt like exploring the city with a knowledgeable friend. Highly recommended.
Javier was an outstanding guide! He was punctual, communicated easily, and spoke perfect English. His deep knowledge of Montevideo, as well as the history and culture of Uruguay, made the experience truly special. He took us off the beaten path to discover the hidden beauty of the city. We learned so much and saw places we would have never found on our own. Highly recommend Javier to anyone visiting Montevideo!
It’s hard to describe how good of a tour guide Javier is. From start to finish he is the utmost professional & fantastic communicator. He can tailor the tour to any of your needs or desires. My wife & I have been to 40+ countries and this tour was genuinely one of the most unique we’ve ever been on. You would be a fool to chose a different tour provider.
we had an absolutely wonderful tour of Montevideo. Javier is an amazing and very knowledgeable guide. His love for his city and country as apparent. We spent the entire day exploring Montevideo, learned so much about history, culture, visited so many interesting sites. Javier has a very comfortable electric car, he picked us up at the airport and was extremely flexible when our flight was delayed. He can also make an arrangement for a larger vehicle if you are a bigger group. We never felt rushed. Javier is also an excellent photographer! Highly recommend this tour. You will feel like you’re spending a day with a friend showing you around his home town.
Javier is a great, knowledgeable and accommodating tour guide, There were 3 of us in this private tour and we receive a great tour
Javier is fantastic. He knows the history and took us to some important but lesser known historical sights. He tailored the day to our liking by providing options and suggestions for how to spend our time. Highly recommend!
From start to finish, our private Montevideo tour with Javier was absolutely fantastic. Right away, our guide greeted us with warmth, enthusiasm, and a genuine love for the city we instantly felt like we were seeing Montevideo through the eyes of a friend. By the end of the day, we felt like we truly knew Montevideo its rhythms, stories, and soul. This was easily one of the best tours we’ve ever done in any city. If you want more than a stroll through the highlights if you want real connection and stories this is the tour to book.
We had a great trip with Javier that he even customized according to our interests, nothing to complain about and highly recommended.
The tour was absolutely fantastic and very informative Javier is an excellent guide, very flexible and loves his country He took particular care to modify the tour to include places that were interest to us
Javier was an excellent guide. Very knowledgeable and passionate about his country. Very responsive and flexible with the itinerary. He should be your first and only choice when planning a tour of Montevideo.
Javier cares about his country, his city, and most of all those he is guiding. He is very thoughtful, whether expressing his opinions or when accommodating the interests of those who hire him to make their visit as memorable as possible. It always is encouraging when a guide takes the time in advance to learn what the client wants to see so that he can transform a standard itinerary into a truly custom tour. Since there were six of us, he made sure he obtained a vehicle that could seat us all very comfortably. Our interest in wine led to a change in plans since the winery I had suggested would have taken too much of our time to visit so he arranged a very delightful tasting (with great sandwiches) at a local place we never would have known about ourselves. It would be easy to discount a guide's statement that he does this more for enjoyment than the money, but when spending a day with Javier, it is clear that is the case with him. He offered to extend our time without asking for additional money, but rather to ensure we were able to see all of the sights we planned. He is very thoughtful, speaks fluent English (which we certainly appreciated), and offers a very objective view about his country (which we also appreciated). Do not hesitate to hire Javier!
Javier gave us a wonderful view of Montevideo and its history! We saw some key sites with Javier explaining each very well. We ended the day seeing the 3 squares in old town. Complete with wine tasting and souvineer shopping. It was a lovely day and we would highly recommend this tour!
For first timers to Montevideo, this was the perfect entree. The small group tour (6) was able to move around easily and quickly and see and experience things the big groups cannot. Our guide, Javier, was brilliant. He guided us around town with great consideration and his knowledge was extensive. One of the very top guides we have experienced. He accommodated our requests and was willing to spend as much time as possible with us. We cannot recommend him highly enough we were so lucky to have a 5 star guide.
Javier is a fantastic guide - he's personable and so knowledgeable on the history of Montevideo.! He considered what we were interested in a tailored the day for us. Highly recommend!
Fanny Margolis was a wonderful tour guide. She was friendly and knowledgeable. She took us to many very interesting sites and gave us detailed histories of some of them. We really enjoyed her tour. We took many great photos and even more memories we will cherish forever. We learned how Uruguay has always been friendly to and accepting of all religious groups. We were most impressed that the President initiated and supported the Jewish cemetery. The places we saw were interesting and beautiful.
Excellent tour! Javier is friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable about Montevideo and its history. We had a great day.
Excellent tour. Javier 1. Proactively communicated beforehand 2. Was on time 3. Had a clean modern car with AC 4. Spoke excellent English 5. Listened and modified tour per our requests 6. Answered multiple questions and had. deep knowledge 7. Was friendly, polite and professional 8. Seemed to genuinely enjoy giving the tour 9. Showed us aspects of MVD off the beaten path 10. Would recommend to anyone who is visiting MVD for the first time, or doesn't speak Spanish well.
Everything was great. We met Javier at the exit of the port. Communication worked really well. Javier explained his hometown to us really well and gave us an insight into it. He was totally accommodating to our requests. A very individual trip.
A definite must do tour for all first time Montevideo visitors! Javier was a stellar tour guide who knows his Uruguay history! We thoroughly enjoyed his wonderful storytelling which beautifully conveyed his passion for his homeland. Sooo thankful we were blessed to meet up with such a kind, knowledgeable and interesting young gentleman. May God bless you and your future endeavors!
This was a wonderful tour with Javier. Since it was a red flag (heat warning) day, we started with a morning walk through the Old City. At each stopping point Javier led us to a shaded seat while he recounted the history of his country as only a young scholar with a keen mind could. We stopped for a snack of empanadas and ended with a drive along the Promenade to view the beautiful beaches. He shared information about his family's history in the country as well as his travels around the world. We probably asked more questions than most travelers and he was gracious in responding. We loved our day with Javier.
I thoroughly enjoyed my first visit to the city. Everything was well planned and organized. Our tour guide/driver - Javier - was very knowledgeable, courteous, and approachable. He did a brilliant job organising our tour and was extremely responsive before, during, and after our tour. I highly recommend Javier and his tour!
This private tour involves a detail depth of the city's history. There's a little walking and most of the time travelling in an electric suv. Very smooth ride. We got to see a lot of the city. From the industrial, to the highest point, far east,, west, south. There's so much learn. Our trip was customized to us as well. We wanted to try foods that the locals prefer over any fancy restaurants. As well as visit shops that support the locals. There's a lot of beautiful architecture and monuments. Javier is very knowledgeable and informative
Excellent tour of Montevideo! We only had a few hours in Montevideo and Javier planned a great itinerary for us to see all of the highlights of the town. He suggested a delicious place for lunch to enjoy local cuisine. Highly recommend this tour for a personalized experience.
We have an incredible experience with Javier as our tour guide! He is highly knowledgeable, providing fascinating insights about the local history and culture. His friendly and approachable nature made the tour even more enjoyable. Additionally, he was extremely flexible, tailoring the itinerary to suit our interests and pace. I highly recommend Javier for anyone looking for an exceptional and personalized tour! Let me know if you’d like me to refine this further.
Javier made the day unforgettable. We got to hear so much about Uruguay and Montevideo. Javier is absolutely committed to making the experience amazing for you or your group. The car was immaculately clean, and Javier is a very safe driver. Cannot recommend enough.
We had an excellent tour and day with Javier. He is extremely knowledgeable, warm, friendly and funny. He gave us an amazing, and in-depth tour and explanation about Guatamala and Montevideo. We left much more informed and impressed. He went way above and beyond our expectations. We strongly recommend him.
WOW!! Such an incredible day. Javier hosted us and showed us his beloved Montevideo and Uruguay. He has a strong passion for his city and country and his presentation clearly demonstrated this. The tour began before the tour. By this I am referencing the communication between us which included detailed instructions and photos of our meet point. We were easily accessible to each other via What’s App. Listen up tour guides. This is a powerful tool Javier uses and puts both the guide and the clients at ease. Having clear meet points identified prior to the excursion is very useful because there’s no guessing. Brilliant!! During the pre tour discussions we had agreed on a time to meet. We were about 15 minutes early. When we arrived, Javier was standing in a place with our names legibly written on a card and we easily found each other. After our meet and greet we were off for a day of adventure. Javier did not disappoint. He was very knowledgeable of all the wonderful sites he took us to. His pace was comfortable. No rushing. He offered us beverages. He offered us as many rest stops as required. His car is exceptional. We had a very comfortable ride in a vehicle unknown to the North American market. A great experience. Javier is a very conscientious guide. He offered us the very best of Montevideo. We highly recommend him as your host while in his city. You will not be disappointed
The highlights of our tour were: The local restaurant and market Javier took us to. The city square where they were having an emergency responders parade. The lookout hill. We appreciated Javier’s communication with us prior to the tour. He was there to pick us up early. His vehicle was extremely clean and comfortable. It could not have been a more enjoyable tour and we would recommend Javier to anyone visiting Montevideo!
Javier was a great host and full of knowledge. Very polite and accommodating. Saw all the highlights of the city. Car was clean and comfortable. Highly recommend to anyone visiting Montevideo! Who you have as a tour guide makes such a difference and Javier was top notch!
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