Countryside & Nature in Uruguay

Just a few kilometers away, Uruguay has many attractive landscapes to offer where you can enjoy a nice horseback ride, go hang gliding, enjoy guided vehicle tours on all sorts of terrain, go mountain biking and try a zip line amongst many other things.

Mining Tourism in Artigas
One of the most innovative proposals offered by the northern region is touring the cities of long-standing mining tradition such as Artigas or the town of Minas de Corrales in the Department of Rivera.

One of the offers is a Mining Safari around the city of Artigas consisting of a guided tour of the quarries located in the region of El Catalán, where world-renowned large deep purple amethysts and agates are extracted. Tools, training and safety equipment are provided to visitors who wish to collect their own semiprecious stones. Back in the city, tourists can visit several workshops where raw stones undergo several industrial processes and/or are handcrafted for trade.

The safari is about 5 hours long and covers around 150 kilometers along the national route number 30 and scenic byways along the fields where the mines are located. The journey offers visitors the opportunity to be surprised by the flora and fauna of the area, and to visit quaint general stores and enjoy typical products.

Likewise, the city of Minas de Corrales, offers tourists the opportunity to visit its gold mines, get to know its pioneering aerial tramway system, the Cuñapiru hydroelectric dam, and the ruins of the first mining town in Uruguay, full of history, culture and beautiful landscapes. This tour can be combined with a tour around the city of Rivera, a visit to the wineries of the region, or a shopping trip along the border area. For those who wish to do some ecotourism there is the chance to visit to the protected area of the Valle del Lunarejo.

A weekend getaway to Mercedes and Villa Soriano
Given its exceptional location on the banks of the Río Negro river, Mercedes is an ideal spot for fishing, doing water sports, or resting surrounded by nature. Cycling around town to see the sights is, without a doubt, a great plan for a family weekend in the Uruguayan interior.

In recent years, the number of tourist attractions in Mercedes has multiplied. Catamaran rides, guided tours to the historic Castillo Mauá (a castle which houses the municipal winery and paleontology museum), paragliding jumps, light aircraft rides and eco-friendly trekking tours on the islands Barrientos and El Sauzal are some of the options.

Visitors coming for a day or two can go on board of the Soriano I catamaran to head towards the historic village of Villa Soriano. After arriving at the colorful village, we recommend going on a guided sightseeing tour around the Nautical Station – once the Olivera Hotel -,the Maeso Museum, the Casa de las Máscaras (House of Masks), the Marfetán Museum and the Capilla de Santo Domingo (Santo Domingo chapel).

Additionally, the craft has other destinations scheduled for this month of March during “Semana de Turismo” (Easter Week). Find out about them and book a seat!

Watch Montevideo from above
In late October, a classical Montevideo attraction made a comeback. The Panoramic Viewing Platform at the top of the City Hall building reopened its doors, Mondays to Fridays 10am to 4pm. At 80 meters, it offers one of the most comprehensive and iconic views of the city. The renovated observation deck has a cafeteria, a gift shop and a visitor service center.

Visitors can borrow binoculars and umbrellas and have free wi-fi access, a rest area with tables and seats, cell phone charging stations and touch screens with QR codes.

Parties of over 15 members must schedule their visit either by phone – call 1950 3368 Monday to Friday 11am to 4pm –; in person, at San José 1328; or by email at visitas@imm.gub.uy. Useful information: Where to go: 22nd Floor of the Intendencia de Montevideo (the City Hall). 18 de julio Ave. 1360. Opening hours: 10am to 4pm.

Enjoy Uruguay’s Vendimia (grape-harvesting season)
As it always happens at this time of year, Uruguay’s tourist wineries open their doors to the public to celebrate the grape-harvesting season, the most emblematic and crucial point in the vine life-cycle. Grape harvest festivals are a universal tradition that dates back to the times when wine was considered a bridge between gods and men, and which has become a symbol of the joy generated by the culmination of the harvesting efforts.

Because it is an extremely important period in the production of wine, each winery chooses a day as the start of the season – the fruit is collected at the perfect point of ripeness and gives life to flavors that have never been tasted before. Each harvest is the beginning of a surprise.

In the words of Adriana Gutierrez, head of production at Bodega Juanicó winery, located in the department of Canelones, barely 38 km from Montevideo “Grapes are harvested by using chemical analysis and fruit tasting. Only when the sugar/acid ratio is at optimal levels for each vine, do we proceed to vinification”.

Vendimia marks the beginning of what will be any given year’s wine – it is when the quality of all the work carried out during the year becomes apparent. It is such a turning point that the number of visitors increases significantly at this time of the year, and so do the number and variety of options to enjoy it.

The largest concentration of activities takes place during the weekend, particularly on Saturday. The choice of activities is ample, ranging from wine tastings to workshops and opportunities for relaxation. Don’t miss it!

Visit Minas de Corrales (Corrales Mines) and discover its gold mining tradition
Minas de Corrales -96 km from the city of Rivera and 60km from the city of Tacuarembó -attracts visitors due to its history, natural features and distinctive identity traits.

The town’s uniqueness stems from the combination of small-town traditions and the nature of the mining industry. The sight of locals on horseback riding by mining company-owned special vehicles evidences a striking contrast between the traditional and the modern.

Along the length of the median strip on Minas de Corrales’s main street, Avenida Dr Davison, there are various 19th Century local mining artifacts on display.

The beauty of Cerros Miriñaque and Vigilante (Miriñaque and Vigilante Hills) is also bound to catch the visitor’s eye. From the top, varieties of dwarf palm trees that only grow in this region can be spotted.

The San Gregorio Mining Company, just 5 km from the center of Minas de Corrales, is a mandatory stop for those interested in mining activities. We are talking about Uruguay’s largest gold mining company.

Also, there are galleries of former mining operations on the banks of Corrales creek. The cool, damp, dark setting will give you an idea of how hard life was like for miners in the past.

Minas de Corrales also features the Gold Museum, a space which houses an exhibition on the different aspects of the gold extraction process and the history of its founder, Don Tito Pereira.

Follow the “Barra de la Laguna” Trail in Rocha
Pamper your senses with the new “Barra de la Laguna” (Rocha Lagoon) Trail in Rocha and try dishes with the best shrimp in the world, which according to experts is obtained from the Laguna de Rocha, Laguna de Castillos (Castillos Lagoon) and Arroyo de Valizas (Valizas Creek), or let yourself be surprised with local specialties prepared with siri crab, or seaweed.

This area is part of the National System of Protected Areas of Uruguay (SNAP) and there is a community of artisan fishermen that has lived in the area of Laguna de Rocha and its surroundings for 70 years. They live on water resources and tourism and they provide walking tours and different food options, all made with the local products.

Their recipes integrate fruits of the palm groves and the native fields of Rocha as butiá (fruit of the jelly palm), arazá (eugenia stipitata) and olive trees, as well as wine from local wineries. The best way to taste these delicacies, especially in the low season (March – November) is to arrange your visit in advance.

However, there is a walk that is available 24 hours a day. Those who visit this Protected Area, entering through the intersection of highways 10 and 15, will enjoy a spectacular self-guided walk along a 2.8 km trail.

From the very beginning, the tour invites visitors to contemplate the great mirror of water, to make a stop at the bird observatory, and continue up to the sand bar that separates the lagoon from the Atlantic Ocean. Informative billboards indicate the unique natural dynamics that occur in the place and generate an optimal ecosystem for countless birds and animal species.

The trail ends in the dune zone, an ideal point for whale watching. They visit the coast of Rocha from July to October.The first stage of the trail is wheelchair accessible, then the trails continues on the sand. The total trail takes approximately 1 hour.

An area of great natural value
The area of Laguna de Rocha was declared a Lacustre National Park in 1977 and a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Similarly, since 2015 it has been part of the list of wetlands with international relevance created by the Ramsar Convention. All these characteristics make this place a must for nature lovers.

The lagoon communicates periodically with the Atlantic Ocean through a natural system of opening and closing sandy bars. When this happens, due to the accumulation of water in the lagoon and the action of the sea, very coveted varieties of crustaceans (shrimp) and fish enter the lagoon.

At the same time, this condition makes it the refuge of more than 220 species of birds that choose this magical environment to feed, reproduce and look after their nests. Black swans, flamingos, white geese, storks are just some of the beautiful species that embellish the area. All year long, the lagoon receives birds from places as far as Alaska or the Falkland Islands.

But the fauna of the lagoon includes many more species. Surrounded by streams and marshes, the area is characterized by the presence of otters, turtles, capybaras, river wolves, foxes, wild cats and bare hands. The surrounding farms are abundant in rhea and mulitas. It is also home to the Darwin toad, a globally endangered species.

Recommendations for responsible tourists
Hunting, all-terrain vehicle driving and motor water sports are prohibited. Cameras and binoculars are recommended to enjoy the natural wonders of the place. Comfortable footwear is also essential to travel through the wet areas and pastures. When walking, be cautious to avoid the nests of some birds which are particularly discreet.

How to get to Laguna de Rocha?
At the intersection of Highways 10 and 15, at kilometer 8, take east on a gravel road, and you will find Laguna de Rocha. From there, another path allows you to approach its sand bar, where it is possible to observe the thin strip of sand that separates it from the ocean.

Whale-watching
Boats leave from the port of Piriapolis every weekend to embark on whale watching. The boat rides are one hour long and cost approximately $400 and $200 for children under the age of ten. Although whales are not always visible, visitors often find penguins, turtles, albatrosses and petrels apart from the ever present sea wolves and sea gulls. Another alternative for this boat rides is to embark at the port of Punta del Este. The Company registered at the Ministry of Tourism for these rides is Nautical Events, which also organizes special tours for groups upon previous arrangement.

Getaway to Minas and Villa Serrana
A trip to an area characterized by a landscape of undulating hills, green vegetation and abundant flora and fauna is always ideal to enjoy a break during Easter Week, even more so if it is just a short drive away. Fishing, hang gliding, zip-lining, ecotourism trails through dense vegetation and sailing on rivers and lagoons are just some of the alternatives.

Other nearby attractions that you cannot miss!
Park Salto del Penitente. A 20-metre-high waterfall in a pool of crystalline mineral water where visitors can swim. The area includes a tourist look-out point which offers a restaurant, where visitors can hire horseback rides, trail hiking tours and adventure sports rides.

Cerro Arequita (Arequita Hill): A geological curiosity that does not go unnoticed.
Visitors can go inside and see its numerous grottos. At the base of the hill another tourist spot; El Mirador, which offers homemade meals and guided tours. Nearby is the municipal campsite with cabins and full services and another possibility is the campsite at the base of the Laguna de los Cuervos, smaller and more family oriented.

Reserva Natural de Salus (Salus Natural Reservation).
A forest entangled with various native species and paths of wild ferns and rosebushes that create an atmosphere of enchantment. One of its main attractions is the mythical Fuente del Puma (Puma Fountain). The name comes from a legend that claims pumas were the animals that guarded this pristine spring of mineral water. Tourists can choose from several guided tours of different degrees of difficulty and duration.

El Valle del Hilo de la Vida. (The Valley of the Thread of Life). Archaeological remains, beautiful mountain landscapes and a very special energy are combined in this natural refuge just 8 kilometers from Minas. One of the most distinctive marks in the area are the stone mounds located in energetic spots, which are ideal for families interested in mystical sites. The valley has a rustic-style tourist center built with stones where visitors can have lunch or a snack in total harmony with nature.

Wineries and vineyards
Uruguay enjoys a privileged geographical position that enables it to be a leading country in the production of wines. Located between parallels 30 and 35 (south latitude), Uruguay shares the location of the best wine regions of Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Its clay soil, balanced sunshine, rain and temperatures are optimal conditions for the vineyards growing on its gentle rolling land.

Wine lovers will find a great variety of wineries in Uruguay offering tours, wine tastings and hosting special parties and events. To enjoy this experience we recommend contacting the Wine Tourism Association of Uruguay (ATEU), also known as Los Caminos del Vino (The Wine Roads), and especially visiting those establishments registered with the Ministry of Tourism.

All seasons have their charm for wine tourism in Uruguay. For example, in March, the country’s main tourist wineries open their doors to share the best of their crops during the Harvest Festival. During this festival, visitors can get a quick introduction to the production activity and equipped with scissors and a basket, they can experiment the pleasure of harvesting on their own.

In winter, between May and June, wineries propose tourist to enjoy one of the most traditional and perfect pairings: lamb and Tannat, as well as various artistic performances and activities that complement the food and wine proposals.

Mining Safari in Artigas
One of the most innovative proposals that Artigas offers is the Mining Safari, a guided tour of the quarries located in the region El Catalan, where geodes of amethysts and agates of international interest for their size and intense purple are extracted. Tools, training and safety equipment are provided for visitors who wish to experience collecting their own semiprecious stones. Back in the city, tourists can visit several workshops where raw stones undergo industrial processes and/or are crafted for trade. The safari is about 5 hours long and covers around 150 kilometers along National Road 30 and scenic byways along the fields where the mines are. The journey is appropriate for tourists to be surprised by the flora and fauna of the area, visit quaint general stores and enjoy typical products..

Enjoying Colonia’s nature and rural ranches
Colonia offers a charming experience in nature unlike any other, attractive and varied in nature, offering several options for rural tourism. Enjoy a typical “asado con cuero” (Uruguayan barbecue, cooked within the cow’s skin) or other Criollo delicacies. Visit tourist “tambos” (milking yards), go on a horseback ride and breathe in the fresh and healthy air around you, all while appreciating rural tradition. The rural establishments of Colonia combine agro-tourism, healthy living, ecology, Criollo gastronomy, and rural traditions. A beautiful coastline extends from the Real of San Carlos (historic bull-fighting arena) to the Anchorena Park, containing noteworthy areas like Barrancas, a perfect place to spot fossils from the Marine Era.