Atlántida is a resort town on the Costa de Oro in Canelones Department, approximately 45 km (28 miles) east of Montevideo. The town is located on the Interbalnearia near the junction with Ruta 11. Atlántida is commonly known as the tourist capital of the Gold Coast, with its rustic charm and convenience of city services, the resort celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2011.
Atlántida has beautiful stretches of beach and its streets are lined with many old buildings full of colourful stories. It was once the home to Chilean poet Pablo Neruda and Matilde Urrutia, which would later become his third wife. The poet named the resort ‘Datitla’. Many well know people have visited including names as diverse as actor Luis Sandrini, singer Hugo del Carril or Spanish poet Federico García Lorca. Their residences had a romantic architectural style which gave the town its special charm. To this day it remains one of the favourite holiday destinations of thousands of Uruguayans and home to many expats of all nationalities.
Atlántida’s beaches are broad and extensive with fine white sand and have excellent infrastructure dedicated to meet the needs of tourists. The beaches are characterized by pine and eucalyptus trees giving the tourists some reprieve from the sometimes unrelenting summer sun.
The nightlife, with a strong gastronomic center and several pubs and nightclubs, is another attraction of the seaside resort. With only a 45 minute drive from Montevideo, Atlántida is a haven for lovers of poetry, literature and history.
