15-Day Uruguay Road Trip of the Protected Areas

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Colonia del Sacramento is a picturesque town located on the eastern bank of the Río de la Plata. In Uruguay’s oldest city, you can enter the historical centre and be charmed by the UNESCO World Heritage site that feels like it has frozen in time. During your time here, you can wander around its narrow cobblestone streets, admire spectacular sunsets by the riverfront, indulge in local gastronomy, or visit small boutiques and art galleries.

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Today, you'll drive from Colonia del Sacramento to Fray Bentos. On the way, there are several stops to enjoy. Narbona winery is one that you can stop at for a wine, cheese and bread tasting as well as a tour of the winemaking processes by an enologist. Fray Bentos sits on the eastern bank of the Uruguay River and in 2015, UNESCO added it to its World Heritage List as part of the Fray Bentos Industrial Heritage Landscape.

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Today, you'll drive northeast into the department of Tacuarembó, to your next accommodation, located in Valle Eden. If you wish, you can make a detour to the east to the Grutas del Palacio and the Localidad Rupestre de Chamangá (two protected areas). Grutas del Palacio is a natural formation of sedimentary rocks, which were deposited about 70 million years ago. The Chamangá Reserve covers over 12,000 hectares and is home to the largest concentration of cave paintings in Uruguay.

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Today, you will head north to the Department Rivera, to your accommodation very close to the nature reserve, Valle del Lunarejo. There are several places of interest on the way to stop at including Laureles where you can get in touch with nature at a variety of open-air pools which you can swim in. Before you arrive at your lodge, you can visit the city of Rivera, known for its gastronomic offers, hotels, casinos and shopping centres.

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The protected landscape of Valle del Lunarejo is located in the extreme northwest of the department of Rivera. There are five different trails you can explore to discover Valle del Lunarejo: Cave of the Indian Trail, Cerro Boquerón hiking trail, Paredones hiking trail, Balcones de Lunarejo hiking trail and the fern trail. All of the trails vary in length and difficulty so pick the right one for you and you'll be on your way.

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Today you will set off in a southeasterly direction to the department of Treinta y Tres. There are several sights on the way which you can stop off at including the Cerro Largo Department and its capital city, Melo, which is characterised by a cultural mix typical of the border towns. Its carnivals are famous and very much influenced by the rhythms of the neighbouring country. You may also want to stop at Quebrada de los Cuervos, the national park and gorge, before arriving at your Estancia.

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There are many experiences waiting to be lived at Los Plátanos. You can go hiking, trekking, on photo safaris, have picnics in the bush, bathe in the streams and even go birdwatching. If you're looking to learn more about the area, you can visit neighbouring towns and absorb their charms. You can also learn about local history at the interactive museum of the Female Vow in Cerro Chato.

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Today, you'll drive from Valentines to La Coronilla which takes around 4.5 hours. After breakfast, you will set off southeast to the Estancia Guardia del Monte. This estancia is located on the borders of the Laguna de Castillos, a beautiful lagoon for nature lovers. There are, once again, many stops on the way which you can enjoy including San Miguel National Park, Bosque de Ombues and Laguna de Castillos before you arrive at your hotel in time for dinner.

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Today, your day is at leisure. There are many activities on offer to take part in at the Estancia or in the surroundings. The Cabo Polonio National Park is an area of scenic beauty that still preserves typical features of the original Uruguayan Atlantic coast. This coastal area is characterised by its diverse beauty, including sandy beaches, rocky areas, dunes, coastal forests, small swamps, oceanic environments and islands.

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Today, you'll drive one hour along the coast in southern direction to the beach resort of La Paloma. Along the way, to extend your journey, you can stop at Punta del Diablo, originally a fishing village and now a popular beach resort for tourists. You can also make a stop at Fortaleza de Santa Teresa, which was built in 1762 by the Spanish from huge granite blocks. Around the fort, a 1000-hectare park by the same name protects numerous native and exotic animal and plant species.

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You'll travel further south today to the most famous seaside resort of Uruguay, Punta del Este. Located on the Atlantic coast, Punta del Este is often referred to as “The Pearl of the Atlantic”. The seaside resort boasts many beaches, homes, yachts, harbours, high-rise apartment buildings, and fancy restaurants, bars, and clubs. It is definitely one of South America’s most glamorous places and fills up with international visitors during the summer.

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Today, you'll set off west from Punta del Este to the capital city of Uruguay, Montevideo. The drive takes a couple of hours with stops in Piriapolis and at the SOS Fauna Marina Rescue Centre if you wish. In Montevideo, you can discover the Uruguayan capital’s European flair and an appealing mix of architectural influences reflected in its modern skyscrapers and historic buildings. In the centre, you'll appreciate the vibrant street art, old theatres, cosy tango bars and buzzing nightlife.

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Today, you'll have the entire day free to spend as you wish in Uruguay's capital. You can explore the city on your own or join a city tour. The boulevards leading to the historic city centre are lined with palm trees and historic buildings, making it look like a scene from Europe. The city revolves around the main square, Plaza de la Independencia, which was once home to a Spanish citadel. From the plaza, you can find your way to the old town with its art deco buildings and classic landmarks.