Welcome to Uruguay!

ISCB Latin America will take place in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay. Montevideo has a population slightly over 1,300,000 and is a vibrant, eclectic place with a rich cultural life. Stretching nearly 20km from east to west, the city wears many faces, from its industrial port to the exclusive residential suburb of Carrasco near the airport. In the historic downtown business district, art deco and neoclassical buildings jostle for space alongside grimy, worn-out skyscrapers that appear airlifted from Havana (Montevideo was in fact used as Havana in the movie Miami Vice), while across town the shopping malls and modern high-rises of beach communities like Punta Carretas and Pocitos bear more resemblance to Miami or Copacabana. In Ciudad Vieja (Old city), the heart of historic Montevideo, old buildings are being restored to make room for boldly painted cafés, hostels and galleries, while down by the port the municipal administration has spruced up the Mercado del Puerto to accommodate a new city tourist office and Carnaval museum. Montevideo serves as administrative headquarters for Mercosur, South America's leading trading bloc, and the capital's many embassies and foreign cultural centers add to the international flavor. Meanwhile, the city's music, theater, art and club scenes continue to thrive, from elegant older theaters and cozy little tango bars to modern beachfront discos. Montevideo is a safe city, pedestrian friendly, easy to get around by foot, by bus or by taxi.

There is a recent article entitled: "36 Hours in Montevideo, Uruguay" that was published in the New York Times.

Venue

The meeting will take place at the exhibition park of the LATU (Laboratorio Tecnológico del Uruguay), which is located at: Av. Italia 6201, Montevideo, 11500, Uruguay. (See map of Montevideo, including the location of LATU, in section Accommodation below) Special group transportation from the main conference hotel can be purchased for $25 USD at registration. Shared public transportation available at approximately $1 USD each way for 30 minute ride; no guarantee of seat availability.

Contact phone numbers

Embassy of the United States in Uruguay: 418 77 77
Police: 911
Medical Emergency (SEMM): 159
Airport (flight schedule check): 604 02 72
Request a Cab: 141

Other useful info

Currency exchange: 1 dolar ~ 20 pesos
Usual Tip: 10% (less for cab fares)
Cab fare: Approx. 1 dollar/km, trip to the airport ~ 10 (No trip should cost more than 10 dollars or 200 pesos)
Bus fare: ~17 pesos
ATM withdrawal: Use the BanRed ATMs (green color) if you have a VISA/ MasterCard check card. International ATM withdrawal fees apply (3-5 dollars depending on your bank).
Average temperatures for March:
High: 25.8 C, 78 F
Low: 17.1 C, 63 F
Precipitation: 59 mm, 2,3 inches

Old City

Things To Do

Villa Biarritz Fair- Saturday mornings, where you can find anything from fruit and vegetables, crafts, jewelery and clothes
Mercado del Puerto- Traditional old city establishment, where you can eat the best beef in town and taste the famous "Medio y medio Roldos" (an Uruguayan sparkling wine). Open daily until 3PM.
Museo Torres Garcia- A museum dedicated to the most famous uruguayan painter.
Visit Old City- With all the old buildings from the Spanish colonial period still standing and in good condition it is a must see, including the "Iglesia Matriz" and the newly renovated "Teatro Solis", as well as wonderful restaurants and shops. We recommend Roma Amor (Peatonal Bacacay 1331), Pannini's (Peatonal Bacacay 1341) or for a tribute Lord of The Ring's you can go to "El pony pisador" (The prancing pony, Bartolomé Mitre 1326).

Recommended Restaurants

Da Pentella. Mediterranean cuisine, Pasta
Luis de la Torre 598 esq. F. Ros
Punta Carretas
Tel: 7120981

El Viejo y el Mar. Seafood, Pasta
Rambla Gandhi 400 esq. Solano García
Punta Carretas
Tel: 7105704

Francis. Seafood, Mediterranean cuisine
José María Montero esq. Luis de la Torre
Punta Carretas
Tel: 7118603

Montecristo. Fusion cuisine, sushi
Fco. Vidal 63 - Castillo Pittamiglio
Punta Carretas
Tel: 7101744

Rösti. Swedish cuisine, fondue, raclette
Prudencio Vázquez y Vega 852 entre Figueira y Sarmiento
Punta Carretas
Tel: 7105332

Terracotta. International, Parilla, seafood
Cnel. Mora 603 esq. Francisco Ros
Punta Carretas
Tel: 7115946

Tabare. Wine bar & Pub. Indigenous cuisine.
J. Zorrilla de San Martín 152
Punta Carretas
Tel: 7123242.

Accommodation

Hotels and Hostels in Montevideo

The following map contains a number of hotels and hostels in Montevideo, and also LATU, the venue of the conference. Bus "Linea DM1" runs from the "Punta Carretas" and "Pocitos" neighborhood, where most of the hotels/hostels are located, towards LATU. Click on the map below to go to an interactive version of the map in google maps.

Cala di Volpe Boutique Hotel

The headquarters hotel for the conference is the Cala di Volpe Boutique Hotel (www.hotelcaladivolpe.com.uy). It is located in the "Punta Carretas" neighborhood. The rates we have negotiated, including Wi-Fi and breakfast, are as follows:

To make hotel reservations at the discounted ISCB Latin America conference rate please email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call +598 2 7102000. A valid credit card or deposit is needed to guarantee the reservation. Please make sure to state that you are an ISCB Latin America conference attendee and want to request the discounted conference rate.

Punta Trouville Apart Hotel

The Punta Trouville Apart Hotel (www.puntatrouville.com.uy) is located between the neighborhoods of "Pocitos" and "Punta Carretas". Their studios have kitchenettes and balconies. The rates we have negotiated, including Wi-Fi and breakfast, are as follows:

To make hotel reservations at the discounted ISCB Latin America conference rate please email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call +598 2 7120903. A valid credit card or deposit is needed to guarantee the reservation. Please make sure to state that you are an ISCB Latin America conference attendee and want to request the discounted conference rate.