Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
office, free public bathrooms and luggage storage, as well as an emergency medical clin-
ic. A local bus, costing UR$16, leaves hourly from just in front of the bus terminal, and
makes a circuit around downtown.
BUSES FROM MERCEDES
The following destinations are served at least once daily.
COST
(UR$)
DESTINATION
DURATION (HR)
Buenos Aires
880
3½
Carmelo
147
2
Colonia
265
3
Montevideo
401
3½-4½
Paysandú
179
2
Salto
398
4
TOP OF CHAPTER
Paysandú
POP 76,400
On the east bank of the Río Uruguay, connected to Colón, Argentina by the Puente Inter-
nacional General Artigas, Uruguay's third-largest city is just a stopover for most travelers
en route to or from Argentina. The activity is on Plaza Constitución, six blocks north of
the bus terminal.
Founded as a mid-18th-century outpost of cattle herders from the Jesuit mission at
Yapeyú (in present-day Argentina), Paysandú gradually rose to prominence as a meat-
processing center. Repeated sieges of the city during the 19th century (the last in
1864-65) earned it the local nickname 'the American Troy.'
Despite its turbulent history and its ongoing status as a major industrial center,
modern-day Paysandú is surprisingly sedate. To see the city's wilder side, visit during
Carnaval or the annual week-long
beer festival
(held during Semana Santa).
Sights & Activities
Museo Histórico
MUSEUM
