ESTE PATRONS
By Invitation only
Created and hosted by Laura Bardier, Founding Director of ESTE ARTE, we offer you an intimate journey with privileged access to the people, collections, institutions, and conversations that define contemporary culture in Uruguay. Over the course of a week, participants move seamlessly between Montevideo and José Ignacio, experiencing the country through the relationships that ESTE ARTE has cultivated over the past twelve years. They visit private collections that rarely open their doors, engage in conversations with artists in their studios, enjoy lunches in extraordinary homes, explore museums alongside their directors, visit architecturally significant private residences, and spend evenings around long tables with collectors and friends who return year after year. This is not a group tour. It is a bespoke invitation into a world that is rarely accessible. There are no queues, no VIP lounges, and no rushed schedules. It isn't at the end of the world. It's where you'll want to be if the world ends.
Why Uruguay?
There are places where the art world gathers. And then there are places where people choose to be. Uruguay has quietly become one of the most compelling cultural destinations in the Americas—a country where contemporary art, architecture, gastronomy, philanthropy, and an extraordinary natural landscape exist in remarkable balance. At its center is ESTE ARTE, an art fair unlike any other. Every gallery presents a single artist. Every presentation is thoughtfully curated. Every work is exhibited publicly for the first time. Conversations continue over long lunches, walks along the ocean, and dinners in private homes. Here, access is earned through trust, and the most meaningful experiences are often the ones that were never scheduled. The result is an atmosphere that favors dialogue over spectacle and lasting relationships over endless networking.
Highlights!
- Early and private access to ESTE ARTE
- Private visits to exceptional collections, artists' studios, and architecturally significant homes
- Exclusive access to MACA, Fundación Ama Amoedo, MNAV, EAC, and other leading institutions
- Conversations with artists, collectors, museum directors, curators, and foundation leaders
- Private lunches, dinners, and gatherings with Uruguay's cultural community
- Contemporary architecture, design, gastronomy, and the landscapes of José Ignacio and Montevideo
Designed Around You
Whether you are joining us for a few days or a full week, each journey is individually tailored to your interests. Collecting, contemporary art, architecture, philanthropy, design—or simply the pleasure of discovering extraordinary places through extraordinary people. ESTE Patrons is available year-round, with signature experiences taking place during ESTE ARTE and the Southern Hemisphere summer. For more information or to begin planning your visit, please contact director@estearte.com.
WHAT TO SEE
WHERE TO STAY
WHERE TO EAT
HOW TO GET THERE
BY PLANE
The Carrasco International Airport is located in Montevideo, capital of Uruguay. Iberia has connecting flights from São Paulo (Brazil), Asunción (Paraguay), Santiago de Chile (Chile) and Madrid (Spain). There are other companies that also have flights to Montevideo. American Airlines has a non-stop flight from Miami (USA) to Montevideo (Uruguay). The flight runs four times a week and runs all year round; the other three days it connects via Buenos Aires (EZE). Many long-haul flights to Montevideo stop in Buenos Aires, Santiago or São Paulo. LAN connects to Australia and New Zealand via Chile. Copa Airlines offers daily flights between its hub in Panama city, Panama and Montevideo.
In addition, just 15 kilometers from Punta del Este is the Laguna del Sauce International Airport, which operates both private and commercial flights.
BY BOAT
The Buquebus ferry service operates between Buenos Aires (Argentina) and both Colonia del Sacramento (Uruguay) and Montevideo (Uruguay). Some services continue from there to Punta del Este. Colonia Express operates between Buenos Aires and Colonia by one hour ferry and then by bus to Montevideo. Seacat Colonia also operates between Buenos Aires and Colonia by one hour ferry and then by bus to Montevideo and Punta del Este.
BY CAR
Uruguay is linked to Argentina via bridges over the Rio Uruguay at Fray Bentos, Paysandú, Salto and Bella Unión. Uruguay is also linked to Brazil at Bella Unión, Artigas, Rivera, Cerrillada, Aceguá, Río Branco and Chuy.
BY BUS
There are many buses running from the Brazilian cities of Porto Alegre, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The country features extensive bus networks and there are many services that run from Montevideo to different cities across the country. Terminal Tres Cruces, Agencia Central and Terminal Ciudad Vieja are the three main hubs. Travel by bus is very safe. International bus service is available to Sao Paulo, Porto Alegre (Brazil), most of the Argentinian provinces (Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Mendoza, Entre Ríos), Asunción (Paraguay) and Santiago de Chile (Chile).
GETTING AROUND
CAR RENTALS
To rent a car in Uruguay residents of many countries (including the United States) need only their driver's license, passport and credit card; only residents of certain countries must obtain an International Driver's Permit. Most of the cars in Uruguay are manual transmissions, which means that vehicles with automatic transmissions are more expensive.
DRIVING
Driving in Uruguay is very similar to European driving. Many intersections are marked only with yield signs. If you don't see a sign, treat it as a yield. If you see a stop sign ("Pare"), it means stop, please, stop, probably because it's a blind intersection or that someone was run over there. Headlights must be turned on at all times while moving. Uruguayan law requires drivers to keep both hands on the steering wheel while moving, which means you cannot use a handheld cell phone while driving. The speed limit ranges between 75 km/h to 110 km/h on most intercity highways, with 90 km/h standard on most stretches.
TAXI
Taxis and UBER in Uruguay are safe and affordable.
REMISE
Remise is a private sedan service, known for being more confortable and professional than a taxi service. Drivers can speak English and wear suits.
BUS
Uruguay has an extensive internal bus system. Non-local/departamental buses leave from Tres Cruces station, which also serves the international buses. The buses are frequent, safe, comfortable and many companies serve the same routes.
You can access more information about Punta del Este here & here.