Tourism, one of Uruguay's major enterprises, enjoys government support. The state owns many hotels along the coast, especially in the area of Punta del Este, 145 km (90 mi) east of Montevideo and one of the more sophisticated resorts in South America. Montevideo has been promoted as the "city of roses" because of its many parks and gardens.
The most popular sport in Uruguay is soccer; there is an intense rivalry between supporters of the two major teams, the Peñarol and the Nacional. Other popular sports include basketball, cycling, tennis, pelota, golf, and water sports. Uruguayan soccer teams won the World Cup in 1930 and 1950; the first World Cup competition was hosted by Uruguay in 1930.
A visitor must have a valid passport; for most visitors, no visa is required. The maximum stay is three months, plus an extension for another three months. In 2000, 2,235,887 tourists visited Uruguay and tourism receipts totaled $652 million.
In 2002, the US government estimated the cost of staying in Montevideo at $193 per day; elsewhere costs can range between $125 and $408 per day.
-Nick (Ny,Ny 11 years old)
Where did the tourists come from (what countries)?