When most people think of beaches in this small South American country between Argentina and Brazil, Punta del Este and other strands along its "Gold Coast" most readily come to mind. But two hours north, among the charms of Uruguay´s appealing capital (pop. 1.8 million) are several beaches of its own, bathed in the waters of the Río de la Plata (River Plate), an estuary which empties into the South Atlantic and is so huge that locals refer to it as el mar (the sea). So in addition to admiring the treasures of Montevideo´s old town and enjoying tasty local maté tea and classic chivitos (steak-and-cheese sandwiches), visitors can also get in some swell sun and fun, especially during Northern Hemisphere winter (which down here is summer) at at some ten stretches of white, powdery sand. And here are a half top choices...

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