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Maldonado
Punta del Este
It’s the most renowned peninsula of South America. One can enjoy both wild and calm beaches, some filled with people, and others quiet and deserted. During the day it’s very hot and the night generally cools off. The nightlife is one of the liveliest and entertaining. There are many restaurants, pubs, discos and clubs with different musical and culinary options.
Punta Ballena
Punta Ballena is a rocky point to the north of Punta del Este that encloses some hundreds of meters on the River Plate and serves as the natural limit of the Bays of Maldonado and Portazuelo. One can always enjoy an excellent view of the bay as it’s prohibited to build higher than the terraces inclined to look toward the bay of Portazuelo.
Piriápolis
It’s a small spa town with surrounding hills that almost reaches the sea. It’s boulevard is reminiscent of European spas.
Canelones
The coast of Oro de Canalones is also a place with many beaches where one can enjoy the white sands of the River Plate. They’re highly visited given their proximity to Montevideo, as in less than an hour, one can be in a relaxed, natural place.
Rocha
The coast of Rocha faces the Atlantic Ocean and is wild and natural, full of lagoons and wetlands, flora and fauna. Rocha has virgen beaches and hydrothermal baths where a number of important Uruguayans and tourists come to vacation. Some of the most important are Valizas, Punta del Diablo, La Pedrera, Cabo Polonio, and La Paloma.
Punta del Diablo
Punta del Diablo is an exceptional place. Its points of a certain altitude are some of the few that serve as balconies to the ocean. Its beaches are apt for swimming, and has sand dunes and a small urban village that showcases artisans, restaurants, and nightlife.
Cabo Polonio
To get here, it’s necessary to go in an all-terrain vehicle that can carry travelers from the main road through the sand dunes until arriving at this place of paradise. There’s no electricity in Cabo Polonio, or cars or paved streets, and time is of no importance. It’s a place where one can rent cabañas or houses to relax and be in contact with the ocean, the dunes, and the tranquility.
La Paloma
La Paloma has the conveniences and services apt for a spa city. The quality of its beaches are also typical of this natural paradise, and are ideal for surfing.
Parque Santa Teresa
Parque Santa Teresa has 3,000 hectares and more than two million trees where thousands of people come to camp all year long. The park is full of both Uruguayan and exotic plantlife, as well as beaches with high waves.
Bosque de Ombúes
The largest group of Ombu trees in the region can be found on the banks of Laguna de Castillos. The forest of Ombu trees extends along 20 kilometers. The state manages the preservation of one part while the rest is in private camps.
Paysandú
Termas del Guaviyú
The Guaviyú hot springs are a tourist complex. He water has an average temperature of 38°C (106°F) and the depth of the pools doesn’t exceed two meters. It’s waters contains a high component of common minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and fluorine. For this, the waters are attributed with curative and sedative properties.
Salto
Termas del Daymán
Daymán is the hottest termal spring, coming out of the rock at 42°C (114°F). The pure, mineralized water is ideal for crenotherapy. Surrounding it is a trail full of flowers, trees, and water. There’s also a natural trail to the shores of the Daymán River.
Termas de Salto Grande
These hot springs are found 10 kms from the city of Salto, in a 218 hectare park on the shores of Lake Arapey. It has a complex equipped with tennis courts, “paddle” and football (soccer) and a casino. One can explore the resort by bicycle, on horseback, or walking. It also has all the commodities that a 5 star hotel with spa brings.
Lavalleja
Salto del Penitente
The falls of Penitente are just a few kilometers from the city of Minas. It’s a waterfall that ends with a cascade more than 20 meters in height, and its access is located 7 km from the city.
Villa Serrana
Villa Serrana is a small town that sprouted up in 1945 as a European style village of rest. It’s located between the valleys of the brooks of Penitenta and Marmarajá; the architect Julio Vilamajó is the creator of its most representative works.
Cerro Arequita
Arequita Hill is 11 kms north of Minas. It faces the Santa Lucia River valley with its stone walls. The island of Ombúes is 500 meters away, where one can go for a hike.
Treinta y Tres
Quebrada de los Cuervos
The Ravine of the Ravens is an exceptional site for nature and adventure related tourist activities. The zone forms a part of the first protected natural area in Uruguay since 1986.
Colonia
Colonia del Sacramento
Colonia del Sacramento is a colonial city very close to Buenos Aires and only two hours to Montevideo. It was founded twice, suffered various sieges, was taken by attack and changes of command, until it finally united with the Uruguayan territory.
The historic neighborhood of Colonia del Sacramento, declared by UNESCO “Cultural Heritage of Humankind” in 1995 is an historic vestige thats worth knowing.
Country Life
Uruguay offers the possibility to experiment with country life in different types of tourist estancias (ranches) in almost every part of the country. One can go horseback riding, milk cows, eat typical cuisine, and live a routine like the old gauchos (cowboys). Some establishments also offer pools, spas, sports fields, etc.
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Experiences
Regions
Spanish-language Institute