Minas

Day Trips

Arrive at the Minas bus terminal and check into a charming boutique hotel near Plaza Independencia. Sample a freshly brewed café con leche and a couple of medialunas at a local café. Wander through the leafy plaza to admire the colonial facades and statues.

Share a grilled chivito at a traditional parrilla on 25 de Agosto street. Step into the Museo de la Cueva del Penitente to uncover regional history in a former Jesuit site. Browse artisan stands offering hand-stitched leather goods and gaucho hats.

Dine at a rooftop restaurant overlooking Cerro Artigas to savor a juicy T-bone steak paired with a glass of local Tannat. Stroll along well-lit avenues as pastel-colored buildings glow against the night sky. End the night with a craft beer at a cozy bar near Plaza Libertad.

Begin with breakfast at a traditional panadería sampling dulce de leche pastries. Join a guided walking tour around Plaza Libertad to explore the neoclassical cathedral and municipal buildings. Marvel at the cantera stone facades that define the city’s architectural style.

Enjoy a homemade empanada at a cozy café before heading to Casa de la Cultura to admire rotating art exhibits. Drop by the Museo del Arte e Historia to learn about local artists and regional customs. Wander through narrow streets lined with pastel-colored houses covered in bougainvillea.

Attend a live folklore performance at a small peña where locals gather to sing and dance. Order a steaming bowl of puchero at a family-run restaurant to warm up. Cap off the night with a nightcap at a historic cantina that has served Minuano wind travelers for decades.

Head to Parque Rodó for a brisk morning jog along its tree-lined paths next to the Laguna del Sauce. Spot native birds and enjoy the cool breeze off the water. Locate a shaded bench to sip maté and soak in the peaceful surroundings.

Have a picnic lunch of fresh cheese, salami, and olives purchased from a nearby mercado. Explore the artisan stalls at the park entrance offering handwoven ponchos and pottery. Take your time selecting souvenirs crafted by local Uruguayan artists.

Return to town and visit a nearby cervecería artesanal to sample two or three varieties of craft beer. Try a tasting flight accompanied by spicy patatas bravas. Relax on the outdoor terrace under string lights as local musicians jam softly.

Drive 30 kilometers east to Parque Salto del Penitente at sunrise to avoid crowds and catch golden light on the falls. Lace up hiking boots to follow a well-marked trail down to the base of the cascade. Feel the mist on your face as water tumbles from a height of over 10 meters.

Enjoy a riverside barbecue lunch at a protected picnic area with shaded tables. Swim in crystal-clear pools formed at the waterfall’s foot to cool off. Snap photos of the surrounding granite cliffs and birdlife before returning to the trailhead.

Head back to Minas and refresh at your hotel before dinner. Savor a slow-cooked lamb dish at a countryside estancia restaurant nearby. Share stories with fellow travelers under a canopy of stars in the rural quiet.

Set out early for the 40-minute drive to Cerro Arequita and start the ascent to its rounded summit. Pause at the cave chapel dedicated to the Virgin de Lourdes carved into the hill. Breathe in the panoramic views of rolling grasslands dotted with grazing cattle.

Descend to the Artisan Village of Pueblo Juanicó for a hands-on workshop making traditional pottery. Break for a lunch of tortilla de papa and local salad at a family-run eatery. Shop for handcrafted mate gourds and carved wooden spoons at the village market.

Return to Minas for a sunset walk along the riverside promenade. Stop by a pastelaría to sample tequeños with chimichurri sauce. Wind down at a boutique wine bar sampling a crisp Albariño from a nearby bodega.

Depart for Estancia El Rocío where a gaucho greets you with a warm hosanna and a cup of yerba mate. Join a group for horseback riding across the estancia’s eucalyptus-lined trails. Learn lassoing techniques from seasoned gauchos as they demonstrate roping cattle.

Gather with the ranch hands for a traditional asado lunch served around a communal table. Feast on juicy ribs, morcilla, and chorizo alongside roasted vegetables. Listen as local folk musicians perform live under the shade of a giant ombú tree.

Sip a digestif at the estancia’s wooden veranda while watching a fiery red sunset. Engage in chimarrão rituals and share stories by a crackling bonfire. Retire to a restored carriage room-turned-guest cottage for a rustic overnight stay.

Enjoy an early breakfast at the estancia before heading north to Pan de Azúcar National Park. Embark on the 12-kilometer trail circling the base of Cerro Pan de Azúcar to spot salamanders and magpies. Pause at scenic overlooks to photograph the distinctive granite dome rising above the landscape.

Delight in a packed picnic lunch near the park visitor center. Explore the small but fascinating tortoise habitat and herpetology exhibits. Take an optional guided tour through nearby dairy farms producing artisanal cheeses known across Uruguay.

Drive back to Minas for an evening stroll along Avenida Artigas. Stop at a pizzeria celebrated for its thin, chewy crust and fresh toppings. Unwind with a glass of Torrontés dessert wine at an open-air café.

Depart for the hilltop hamlet of Villa Serrana, famous for its unique stone cluster architecture. Wander narrow lanes lined with rocky bungalows designed by architect Julio Vilamajó. Pause at the Mirador de Piedra for sweeping valley views.

Venture to the nearby Pozos de las Ánimas to peer into deep, clear sinkholes surrounded by mossy rocks. Enjoy a simple lunch of empanadas and fresh fruit at a picnic spot above the cave. Visit the Guaviyú Cave to see natural rock formations carved by centuries of water erosion.

Return to Villa Serrana for sundowners at a hillside restaurant with a panoramic terrace. Toast the day’s adventures over a plate of revuelto gramajo made with local ingredients. Head back to Minas under a blanket of stars, accompanied by the soft hum of nocturnal insects.

Spend the morning at Quesería La Estrella where you observe cheesemakers crafting suave cuartirolo and mini queso Colonia. Sample creamy varieties fresh off the curd vat. Discuss aging techniques while sipping sparkling water infused with herbs.

Drive to the Museo de la Galleta to explore the history of Uruguay’s beloved biscuit tradition. Join a hands-on workshop to roll, cut, and bake a dozen maple-flavored galletas. Relish them warm as you chat with local bakers about secret family recipes.

Return to town for dinner at a modern fusion restaurant blending Uruguayan and Mediterranean flavors. Pair your dish with a full-bodied Tannat from a boutique bodega. Finish the night with a comforting dulce de leche flan and coffee at a quiet café.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and pack for check-out. Take a short taxi ride to Cervecería Cerro de Minas, a local microbrewery nestled at the foot of Cerro Artigas. Tour the copper kettles and learn about their artisanal brewing process.

Sample a flight of IPAs, stouts, and saison ales alongside wood-fired flatbreads topped with regional cheeses. Chat with the head brewer about sourcing local grains and herbs. Stock up on six-packs to bring home as souvenirs.

Hike up the well-lit path to the summit of Cerro Artigas in time for one last sunset over Minas. Unwrap a cold craft beer and toast your 10-day journey as the sky fades from orange to violet. Descend under lantern light, carrying memories of an unforgettable Uruguayan escape.