Viví Rocha: de los palmares al mar

Imagine immersing yourself in a land where nature embraces you at every step, history whispers through the trees, and the local flavors connect you to the soul of the place.

Rocha awaits with breathtaking landscapes: ever-changing dunes that sweep your footprints away, swaying butiá [native date] palm groves, and a hypnotic ocean that stirs your emotions. Its history pulses in Indigenous legends, a rich coastal culture, and a living heritage in every town. In its flavors, you’ll discover native fruits, fresh seafood, and sustainable products that will make you feel home. Whether in your lodging or in every encounter, you’ll experience genuine hospitality and a comforting refuge where you’ll feel like family.

Come explore Rocha in a vibrant, authentic, unforgettable way:

ROCHA’S PALM GROVES: THE BICENTENNIAL BUTIÁ FOREST
Wander through a 70,000-hectare forest where butiá palm trees rise up to 9 meters tall, with silvery-green leaves that inspire awe and beauty. They are part of the Bañados del Este Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1976, and extend across a landscape of wetlands, Indigenous history, and living poetry. Each palm, over 200 years old, is a guardian of time, woven into legends, songs, and even the department’s coat of arms.

Looking for a culinary treasure? Try the fruit of the butiá palm: its sweet-and-sour flavor awakens the senses and forms the base of unique craft wines, liqueurs, jams, and sauces. Only here, among these palms, can you live such a unique experience.

AGUAS DULCES: HISTORY, BEACH, AND NATIVE ROOTS
A haven where the beach, nature, history, and culture come together. Discover the Brioso Lagoon, perfect for walks, sharing mate [native infusion], and birdwatching. Its natural beach, peaceful and serene, invites rest in an environment that honors the natural world.
Don’t miss the spring festivals dedicated to native fruits, featuring tastings, music, and workshops that will reconnect you with your roots. Trails wind through the Ombu or Elephant Tree Forest, offering the feeling of being in the heart of eastern Uruguay.

BARRA DE VALIZAS: BETWEEN DUNES AND LEGENDS
Here, golden dunes shift with the wind and the sea sings through its coves. Ride a horse, walk the trails to Cerro de la Buena Vista [Lookout Hill] and gaze toward the horizon, or feel free as you slide down on a sandboard.
Explore forests filled with shipwreck tales, maritime legends, and shrimp festivals where local fishermen share their traditions. The local cuisine, based especially on fresh shrimp, delivers the true taste of the ocean.

PUNTA DEL DIABLO: THE HEART OF COASTAL SPIRIT
A village that pulses to the rhythm of the waves: fishing, laid-back, and authentic. Lodgings offer sweeping sea views, and the cuisine reflects the region’s freshness. Here, the day begins with seagull songs and a sea breeze.
Intimate cafés, sunsets on the sand, and a warm, welcoming community make this corner a slow-paced, close, and memorable experience.

LA PALOMA: SEA BREEZE, SURF, AND NATURE
The “Surf Capital” features the century-old Santa María Cape Lighthouse and seasonal whale watching from July to October at its scenic overlooks.
Try surfing, windsurfing, or kitesurfing, then unwind at lodgings with heated pools, perfect year-round. When appetite strikes, enjoy local fish, seafood, and meats, or visit the “Sabores de Rocha” [Rocha Flavors] fair in September, blending cuisine and sustainability.

CHUY & BARRA DEL CHUY: BORDER, SHOPPING, AND NATURE

CHUY
Experience the vibrant blend of Uruguay and Brazil in a border town of fluid frontiers, mixed flavors, and blended accents. Enjoy homemade food rich in regional identity and comfortable lodgings for rest after a day of exploring.

BARRA DEL CHUY
A natural retreat where you can relax on the beach, stroll through the woods, or sip mate on a deck. And if you’re up for it, cross over to Chuy for tax-free shopping: fashion, electronics, wines… a dual experience of rest and retail therapy.

Rocha is closer than you think… and it’s waiting with open arms. Come, discover its palm groves, walk its trails, explore its coast, taste its flavors, and rediscover a Uruguay that beats in every corner.

More info at https://www.escapatearocha.uy/ and https://turismorocha.gub.uy/