TOURIST INFORMATION

La Costa de Oro

Instead of hills, you find trees. But is maintains the same white sands surrounded by forests in which the sun shines through the pine and eucalyptus trees, just a few kilometers from Montevideo.

'Costa de Oro' (Golden Coast) is the name given to Rio de la Plata’s coast in the Department of Canelones. Along those coasts there exists a chain of seaside resorts which have been growing through time until becoming another Uruguay’s attractive feature. “Costa de Oro” goes from Montevideo’s exit to Solis stream, which constitutes Department of Maldonado’s access entrance. The long chain of white-sand beaches, with quiet or agitated waters is extremely pleasurable.

Sixty-eight kilometers where more than thirty-eight seaside resorts appear between sand and trees that courageously fight against the dunes and the wind. The coastal area’s forestation, which took place before its urbanization, transmits quietness and tranquility. Those who enjoy noise can find within more urbanized centers such as Solymar, Lagomar, Costa Azul or La Floresta all the services required, even a Casino where to spend some money. This coastal zone has been the providential expansion for thousands of Uruguayans who built in the place their getaway and holiday houses and who gradually decided to move permanently to the comfortable zone which consequently registered an unusual demographic growth thank to the development of all types of services.

During summer it is usual to find rental offers of nice and comfortable houses (to be rented for the whole season or just for a month) which are eagerly used by tourists and inhabitants of Montevideo who are aware of privilege it implies to be able to 'recharge batteries' surrounded by nature and also enjoying the area’s typical or international gastronomy and the services provided by bars, sweetshops, etc. Costa de Oro can be divided into zones with different characteristics: the first zone is the most urbanized one, since many have preferred this resorts’ peacefulness to the city’s bustling activity. Until Solís creek (where resort El Pinar is located) the services are multiple and the transit continuous. Less than 20 kilometers from Montevideo and using excellent highways these beaches can be visited, to enjoy just an afternoon or the whole season. From km 34 to Km 57, in Costa Azul resort, an area isolated from the city can be found, which meets the requirements of those who enjoy peacefulness but counting with an adequate infrastructure. Pinamar, Salinas, Marindia, Fortín de Santa Rosa, Atlantida, Parque el Plata, Las Toscas, La Floresta and Costa Azul, located in the heart itself of Costa de Oro, are examples of this. The resorts have been basically born due to the influence of the transit from Canelones, Minas and all the surrounding cities and towns. Farm producers, industrial businessmen and neighbor tradesmen have given their generous support for this beautiful area’s conformation.

Tourists will be able to find numerous and organized camping places, restaurants, hotels and all types of services. Finally towards the east there are some seaside resorts which present wilder vegetation and are surrounded by pine trees and eucalyptus, though without neglecting services. Bello Horizonte (especially indicated for surfers), San Luis, Los Titanes, La Tuna, Araminda, Santa Lucía del Este with its quiet beaches and fishing boats, Cuchilla Alta with its cliffs on the sea, Jaureguiberry on the department’s limit on km 81 and Solis Resort in the department of Maldonado are some of the outstanding places in this area.

Atlántida
It is the busiest resort in the 'Costa de Oro'. Just 45 kilometres from Montevideo, Atlántida has a zoo, an amusement park, ice-cream shops and many other sorts of entertainment for children. The beaches are very popular and there are sports activities for all ages. There is also a busy nightlife with cinema, casino, numerous restaurants and discos where you can dance till dawn.

Oceanic Coast

Rocha Its oceanic coasts, actually the entire department, are the places in which nature reveals itself in the liveliest and most exuberant way, with lagoons and swamps full of flora and fauna. Hundreds of kilometers of unexplored beaches and dream places like Punta del Diablo, Cabo Polonia, Valizas or La Barra del Chuy, or first quality resorts such as La Paloma, La Pedrera and La Coronilla.

Being an area of large farming extensions, lagoons, palm trees groves, indigenous forests and a rocky coast on the Atlantic, Rocha contains several virgin natural attractive spots. Some of its resorts have achieved international status. Here life goes by in the most absolute freedom, under the summer’s burning sun and the moderation of intermediate seasons. If the rocks form coves or small bays the ocean becomes quiet, but the stony walls also receive the ocean’s fury and produce the eternally attractive spectacle of huge waves being pulverized against the rocks. In a place once characterized by small demographic groups, today we can find very comfortable tourism centers.

The main of these, La Paloma, is located into an large cove and being protected by high and old pinewoods, it preserve the its primitive conformation’s charming features. The growing demand of people who escape from the rush and the routine is met by adequate hotel services and a significant number of simple but comfortable houses, characteristic of resorts without affectations or sophistication. We now find a seals’ village.

Although all these coasts are considered to be one of the most outstanding fishing places due to its abundance and species variety, worth visiting and maybe staying for a few days in some of its cottages, this is Punta del Diablo, a place dedicated to the traditional shark processing. The littoral zigzags. Curious sand dunes elevate up to 70 meters and change their shapes with the wind. Further away, in Cabo Polonio, a desolated but beautiful scenery. Sand, dunes, and typical pushcarts without which it is impossible to get to certain points. And then, the seals’ colonies intonation their choirs on the rocks. Usually tourists explore Rocha’s area in search of emotions, in order to enjoy the wild beauty of a wild environment, barely walked. It is not strange to go along very long and wide white and soft sand extensions without getting to see its end. But as nothing is monotonous in this region, the coast if full of rock variations, quiet water refuges, and here and there, tiny settlements.

Fortresses and forts dated from colonial times, well preserved and turned into museums, tell us the story of the times in which the Spanish and the Portuguese fought over the dominion of the Plata’s region. Santa Teresa Fortress, on the coast, is located next to a park with thousands of centenarian trees, exuberant vegetation, exotic birds and pools surrounded by flowers. San Miguel Fort, drawbridge type, is near the Brazilian border and towards the interior. From high above a huge native forest can be observed. Palm groves and lagoons are still practically virgin.

La Paloma

We find this small and wonderful resort on Rocha’s Atlantic coast, in Uruguay. Having interesting tourist offers, the quality of its oceanic beaches make this natural paradise unique.

It is the most popular resort in the Department of Rocha. This may well be because of the variety of its beaches. 'La Balconada' is the most popular amongst young people, who flock to it to applaud the sunset.

'Los Botes' is a peaceful beach where fishing boats lie. 'El Cabito' is ideal for young children because of its tame waters. 'Solari' is the surfers' favourite.

Family groups prefer 'La Aguada', 'Costa Azul' and 'Antoniópolis'. Appart from its beaches, 'La Paloma' has busy day and nightlife with many bars and restaurants, shops, its casino and discos.

RELATED LINKS: