Experiences that transform the soul and develop the local
Over the last few decades, tourism has become one of the main drivers of the world economy, playing a fundamental role in the socioeconomic development of countries, generating income, creating companies and jobs, and developing infrastructure. At the same time, the trend of community and sustainable tourism is gradually growing in Uruguay.
The paradigm of sustainable tourism is a strategic line that Uruguay is building on a daily basis, in line with the principles enshrined in the so-called “Sustainable Tourism Charter” of 1995, agreed upon at the World Conference on Sustainable Tourism, with the participation of members of various United Nations agencies and programs. In its first point it established: “Tourism development should be based on criteria of sustainability, that is, it should be ecologically sustainable in the long term, economically viable and equitable from an ethical and social perspective for local communities”, a vision that was later ratified and expanded by the World Tourism Organization.
Sustainable tourism is based on a circular flow, on the one hand it allows the tourist to escape from the routine and massification of travel to open up to a world of experiences and adventures. On the other hand, it provides new sources of employment and revalues, cares for and promotes nature, culture, history and identity. In this green economy, everyone benefits. We share some suggestions so you can join us.
• Red Ánimas (Maldonado and Lavalleja)
His proposal invites you to watch the moon rise from the top of the mountains, visit and meet producers, artists and artisans in their homes and workshops in a hill environment, as well as an open-air museum in the sun or walk through the twilight of the mountains. In addition, you can visit places full of history and beauty with guides, technicians and “baqueanos”. For 7 years this multidisciplinary group, made up of neighbors, professionals, technicians, experts, entrepreneurs, producers, guides, artists, among others, has been committed to Alternative Tourism in Pan de Azúcar-Sierra de las Ánimas.
It was selected by the Small Grants Program (SGP) in 2017, implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Ministry of Tourism, executed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), with the support of the Civil Society and the University of the Republic in which environmental management and ecotourism projects are trained and empowered. Funding is provided by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Ministries of Tourism and Housing and Land Management of Uruguay.
Contact and meeting point to be arranged: + 598 99 340 958 / F: Red Animas / info.redanimas@gmail.com
• Tinambú Ecolodge – Paso Centurión Tours (Cerro Largo)
It is a venture that offers guided walks focused on the observation of more than 260 registered birds and recognition of native flora and fauna in the area of Paso Centurión, Sierra de Ríos, Rincón de Paiva and La Gloria in the department of Cerro Largo. It has ecological lodging – built with natural materials from the area (wood and earth) – where home-cooked vegetarian meals are prepared. The project, which is supported by the National Agency for Development, uses ecological processes throughout its operation, having dry toilets and composting waste, a wetland for purifying gray water, an organic vegetable garden, and a family apiary from which they obtain honey for the consumption of visitors, and with the wax collected they produce eco-friendly reusable packaging.
The Protected Landscape Paso Centurión and Sierra de Ríos, is a place where several ecosystems are combined, giving rise to a great diversity of environments composed of ravines, riparian forests with characteristics of sub-tropical forest, natural grasslands, wetlands, grasslands, palm groves and espinillares, thus allowing the existence of a huge biodiversity. The area was declared a Protected Landscape by the National System of Protected Areas (SNAP) in 2019, and previously, as a Departmental Reserve by the Departmental Board of Cerro Largo.
This, along with other ventures such as Las Quitanderas, offering horseback riding, hiking, local gastronomy and lodging in homestays or camping, is supported by the PPD-MINTUR for the generation of a new community-based ecotourism offer, carried out by a group of neighbors in the area.
• Nautical adventure (Montevideo and San José)
At 40 minutes from the capital city of Montevideo to the West at the height of the town Santiago Vázquez a group of baqueanos have two boats to make nautical strolls by the river Santa Lucía or Isla del Tigre, in addition to knowing the ravines of Melilla. The boats La Bandida and El Yacaré, allow you to live a nautical adventure and appreciate the native fauna and flora. Once there you can go hiking, sport fishing, guided tours of the town, lunch on the islet or camping.
Contact for circuit design and management Ecoturismo La Barra
Washington Vila + 598 094 917 064 / brama@adinet.com.uy
Adventure Only Uruguay: F: soloaventurauruguay / + 598 94 459 826 / + 598 96 032 393 / sacu.viajes@gmail.com
• Ambá (Rocha)
20 kilometers from the city of Rocha, between the town of Aiguá and the capital of the department, is the area of the Sierra de Rocha where an interdisciplinary group merges to offer a comprehensive proposal to visitors and school groups. There, on Route 109 at kilometer 26, the non-profit civil organization Ambá is in charge of the preservation, promotion and awareness of the value of this natural space where it is possible to observe more than 130 species of birds and more than 20 species of mammals. There you can see specimens of guazuvirá, foxes or tatú.
The lucky ones can find different mammals such as the wild cat, pajonal cat or the yaguatirica (also known as margay), a very special feline that lives in the area and has the ability to rotate its hind legs and climb trees as if it were a monkey.
Among their proposals they offer a two-day expedition for hiking, recognition of native flora, recognition of fauna traces, bird watching, camera traps, night safari, visit to water wells and bush regeneration.
Uruguay has the highest per capita consumption of yerba mate in the world, and many people are interested in learning about its origin and process. Rodrigo Patrón, coordinator of the field work and the education program in Ambá, explained that this is why an innovative itinerary was created: “The yerba mate trail”. “There are trees that are more than 100 years old and hiking is done around them, which are 20 meters high and some of them are not reached to hug”. The initiative takes place between one and two days, you learn about the production process, drying of yerba mate and you will take away a mate mate ready to use.
Another modality is the “Ambá Experience” which consists of visiting the Regeneration Center and participating in the tasks of the nursery, species protection, installation of camera traps, as well as participating in courses and workshops on: permaculture, bamboo construction, yerba mate, fauna monitoring, among others, and in the future there will be a Rescue Center where the visitor can attend, care for and then return the animals to nature. They also offer horseback riding for hours or up to 3 days of expedition through a previously agreed circuit.
Contact: info@amba.org.uy / Mobile phone: + 598 99 980 237
F: ambauruguay/ IG: ambauruguay/
In Uruguay it is possible to driving electric cars , with the peace of mind of finding several recharging points throughout the country. In order to use them, it is necessary to request online card that allows access to the chargers installed at ANCAP service stations and on public roads.
