What are the changes to payments at gas stations in Uruguay?

In order to prevent robberies of cash at gas stations in Uruguay there are some new rules.  Here are the details:

• From May 15 you can not pay for gas or purchases in convenience stores attached to gas station during the night. This applies first for gas stations in Montevideo and Canelones.
• From July 1 the above rule will be extended to all day.
• From July 1 the above rule will also take effect for night time purchases, for the rest of the interior departments.
• From August 15 throughout the country, you MUST pay for all fuel and purchases with debit or credit card.

Here is the full article.

What is the latest restaurant review by Ask Annette?

I finally got around to eating at Cafe Misterio in Carrasco.  I thoroughly enjoyed my meal there, though the service is slow (the restaurant was full on a Friday lunchtime with what appeared to be only 3 waitresses working).   The prices are reasonably high (see menu below) but seeing as the food is excellent quality and flavour I had no problem paying the bill.  The menu is quite varied, making Cafe Misterio worth another visit to try something else.  Tip: if you come when they open at 12 then you will get a table without reservation, anytime later and you will most likely need a reservation.  I would also recommend making a reservation for evening dining.  You can make reservations for Monday-Friday dining online via their website but for groups of 10 or more and Saturday dining you will need to phone the restaurant.  Also children under 12 are not allowed!

Cafe Misterio:
Corner of Costa Rica and Rivera, Carrasco
2601 8765
Facebook
Website
Monday-Friday: 12-4pm and 7.30pm-1am, Saturdays: 7.30pm-1am

Where can you find a good horse riding school?

My children (aged 3 and 5) go to El Cortijo for horse riding lessons once a week with their teacher Rony.  I would highly recommend a visit to El Cortijo to see their horses and speak with Rony (in English or Spanish).  We really enjoy going to El Cortijo each week - our kids love the horses and teachers, and we really like Rony's teaching methods.  My children have only been riding for two months and are already trotting and doing basic jumps.  Plus as a bonus our kids don't have to do vaulting (gymnastics and dance on horseback!) which is quite common at horse riding schools in Uruguay.   I also found El Cortijo to be the most affordable horse riding school of all the schools that I got quotes from.

El Cortijo
Facebook
092 298 466
Whats App +41 76 323 22 78

Camino Eduardo Perez

Are you looking for handmade leather bags in Montevideo?

For those that know me, they know I love to shop!  In Uruguay I find the fashion a bit hit-and-miss..wait a minute...re-phrase that, I find it entirely hit-and-miss.  So while in complete withdrawal from the lack of shopping I do in this country, I do occasionally manage to find a gem hidden in the rough.

Trendy Cueros is a leather bag supplier that sells beautiful handmade leather purses and bags, all made by herself in her apartment in downtown Montevideo. Trendy Cueros doesn't have a store but you can find their products on their Facebook page or when they are selling at any of the Design Fairs happening in and around Montevideo.  The next Feria Maxima De Diseño next is on 17-19 June at LATU in Portones.

Not only do I find Trendy Cueros leather products to be priced well, they are also stylish and well made.  Not to mention, I love to support small businesses - who wants to buy a leather bag that has been mass produced in China when you could have a one-off handmade bag from Uruguay?...not me!

Check out Trendy Cueros and happy shopping :)

Visited a museum in Montevideo recently?

From the 11th-28th of May you can participate in the 4th Annual Montevideo + Museums. The idea is to commemorate the International Day of Museums which is held every 18th May, with a series of activities in more than 40 museums and galleries including walks, special tours, workshops and sports activities.

Find out about all the participating museums and the activities here.

To live in Uruguay or to not live in Uruguay?

You may have read articles about reasons why Uruguay is great or why you should move here...but are they are actually accurate?  check out the comparison between these two articles below and feel free to leave comments on what your opinion is:

10 Reasons To Live In Uruguay

8 Reasons Uruguay's Not All That

How do you find out about international rugby games playing in Uruguay?

This Saturday (14 May) and next Saturday (21 May) Uruguay plays Fiji at the Estadio Charrúa in Portones.  Definitely a great afternoon out for all the family, it's easy to get tickets (you can buy them on the day at the gate or earlier via tickantel), the tickets are cheap ($250 or $400 pesos), and it is a safe and fun environment to take your kids to.

Check out the schedule of rugby games on the Uruguay Rugby Union webpage.

Buy your tickets via tickantel.

Are you looking for a great haberdashery store?

I have found an excellent haberdashery (merceria) called Merceria el Tigre. This merceria has the best selection I have ever found in an Uruguayan merceria - I even managed to find items that I thought were not possible to find in Uruguay. I would recommend a visit to this merceria.

Merceria el Tigre8 de Octubre 3678 (esquina Comercio)
Tel: 2508 8651
Monday-Friday 9am-12 and 2-7pm
Saturday 9am-1.30pm

Are you looking for delicious Indian snacks in Montevideo?

Look no further, Snackaholics is offering the most delicious Indian snacks right here in Montevideo!  I ordered the samosa and onion kachori and they are so tasty.  You will have to pick your food because Snackaholics doesn't offer delivery, but it is totally worth it.  We ordered medium spice and they were just right for us (too spicy for our kids though).  I would recommend you try Snackaholics!

Snackaholics
Facebook
Whatsapp on: +91 9902368486 +91 9945740350
Call on: 092813882

Place your order before Friday and pick-up on Saturday evening (between 5:00 PM -7:00 PM).  You can also arrange another day/time for pickup that suits you better (this is what I did).

Minimum quantity for orders is 10 pieces.

For other snacks and sweets, please refer to their regular menu on their Facebook page and place your order 2 days in advance.

Feria shopping this weekend...where to start?

Friday 10am-7pm and Saturday 10am-3pm there is a liquidation sale of 150 pieces of new Indian furniture.  Prices $80-$1000 and prices are negotiable.

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Saturday 11-4 there is a feria in Carrasco:

Have you seen the new red light/speed cameras in Uruguay?

There are new red light cameras on Avenida Italia and speed cameras on Avenida Italia, Rambla, Avenida Giannattasio and the IB.  A great initiative for Uruguay - whether it is to make the government more money or to actually increase safety on the roads.  Let's see whether the cameras make a difference to the crazy driving in Uruguay!!!

Have you heard about The Twelfth Night show on at the moment?

On now until 15 May!   Buy your tickets here.

What's on this Mother's Day weekend?

Friday-Sunday is the Design Fair:

Saturday is the Beerfest:

 Saturday and Sunday there is apple picking:

Sunday is Mother's Day so don't forget to book a restaurant in advance if you plan to go out for lunch or dinner - this day is super popular at restaurants and they all fill up fast!

As always, you can keep up-to-date with events on the Ask Annette Facebook page.

How do I find out about events happening in Uruguay?

I am often talking about great events I went to or I heard about and people say to me 'how do I find out these events?' or 'oh no, I didn't know that was on'...well here is how to stay informed about events via Ask Annette:

1. Like the Ask Annette Facebook page.

2. Turn on the notifications on the Ask Annette Facebook page:

3. Sign up to the events page on the Ask Annette Facebook page:

4. Follow the Ask Annette blog by email: