"Why visit Uruguay?

Well, for naturalists, bird watchers and aquarists, there are so many reasons that put Uruguay above all the other South American nations.

Felipe: my number one reason to visit Uruguay is Felipe Cantera. Felipe was my guide through Uruguay in 2001, when I first visited him and his country. He is no longer my guide, but a good friend. There are few people in Uruguay or anywhere for that matter, who know the flora and fauna of their entire nation as well as he does. Of course, Uruguay's small size allows him to explore its corners without much difficulty. Without his help, I would have had to make a dozen trips to Uruguay to find the fishes that I sought.

Safety: I feel safer in Uruguay than I do at home in America. You can't say that about Brazil or Peru! It's an intangible, but you know it when you get there. Safety is not just a human element, but there is no Malaria, Yellow Fever or any of the other dreadful illnesses that one has to contend with in the Amazon.

Comfort: Uruguay is a comfortable country – there are nice hotels, the roads are smooth, the food is safe, the weather is soothing and the bugs don't bite as much. For a first-time fish collector or novice adventurer, Uruguay is as easy as visiting Florida.

Culture: Almost all Uruguayans are of European descent, which gives most North Americans a high degree of familiarity when it comes to human interaction and culture. Walking through some parts of Montevideo feels a lot like Rome or Madrid. Unlike Rome, the people in Uruguay are much friendlier – I've thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking to every Uruguayan.

Food: Ahhhh…the food. What a place for steak lovers! Make sure you try some Dulce de Leche and drink some Mate before you return.

Size: Uruguay is no larger than many American states – it is easy to get from one corner to the other in one day. This allows you to see so much and experience a variety of species in a short time.

Climate: one of the advantages of being sub-tropical is the seasonal climate variation – the weather is no different than Florida, Georgia or any of the Gulf Coast cities.

I like Uruguay so much that I am considering buying a house there!"