Santiago Vázquez, nuevo punto panorámico y recreativo de Montevideo
It is the only town in Montevideo, known for its lush natural beauty, located on the banks of the Santa Lucía River next to the iconic Puente de la Barra. Both visitors and locals describe its sunsets as “unforgettable.”
With a population of 3,800, it features an ecological center including a natural harbor for sports boats, a regatta course, wetlands, native woodlands, and marshes. Beyond its natural heritage, the town also holds cultural significance as the place where renowned Uruguayan musician Alfredo Zitarrosa spent part of his childhood and adolescence.
LOOKOUT AND CANOEING
The town now offers new services, including a 15.5-meter-tall lookout tower with a total of 74 steps leading to the top, providing views of the channel bar, the Santa Lucía wetlands, the urban layout of Santiago Vázquez and its green areas. It is located at the end of Isla del Tigre street, where you will also find playgrounds for children.
On La Guardia street, the Nautic and Canoeing School of Santiago Vázquez offers both classes and one-hour canoe and kayak rides for tourists. These activities are part of Caminos del Agua, an ecotourism project run by the school that helps fund recreational and social programs for children and teens from various local social projects.
Additionally, through Montevideo’s Participatory Budget program, the site has just opened new facilities including locker rooms with showers and bathrooms, an independent accessible restroom, an office, and an accessible wooden deck that promotes sports in the area.
Other options include guided tours of the town or a trekking experience through Santa Lucía Wetlands, also organized by Caminos del Agua. While guided tours are available, visitors can also explore the area on their own, using the Caminos del Agua app or via Google Maps, where an online guide provides information about each attraction.
SANTA LUCÍA WETLANDS
The surroundings of Santiago Vázquez are home to a coastal saline wetland ecosystem covering over 20,000 hectares, bordered by vast native woods. The influence of water from the River Plate gives these wetlands their brackish character.
They are the only brackish wetlands in South America, the largest and most important in Uruguay, and they host vast biodiversity, including over half of all native bird species found in the country. For these reasons, the area has been included in Uruguay’s National System of Protected Areas.
Useful Information
Location of Canoeing School: La Guardia, 12600 Santiago Vázquez, Montevideo
Instagram: @caminosdelaguauy
Contact: (+598) 91 335 990 / (+598) 97 442 101
PUNTA ESPINILLO
Very close by is Punta Espinillo, known for its large wooded area and a small, rocky beach suitable for swimming. It includes a park area with services for spending the day, such as open barbecue pits, playgrounds, sports areas, a café, and a free camping area with cabins available during the summer season.
Useful Information
Park location: Cno. 2do. Sanguinetti
Admission: free
Park office phone: (+598) 2312 0667
