Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The
bus terminal
( 4432-4526; cnr Misiones & Niza)
is a few blocks back from the beach.
COT and COPSA run frequent buses to Montevideo (UR$153, 1½ hours) and Punta del
Este (UR$96, 50 minutes).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Around Piriápolis
North of town is
Castillo de Piria
( 4432-3268; Ruta 37, Km4; 10am-3:45pm Tue-Sun
Apr-Nov, to 6pm Dec-Mar)
, Francisco Piria's opulent former residence. At the time of
research the upper floor was closed for renovations, but the ground floor, with Spanish-
language displays on the history of Piriápolis, remained open to the public. About 1km
further inland, hikers can climb Uruguay's fourth-highest 'peak,'
Cerro Pan de Azúcar
(389m). The trail (2½ hours round-trip) starts from the parking lot of the
Reserva de
Fauna Autóctona
(Ruta 37, Km5;
7am-8:30pm)
, narrowing from a gradual dirt
road into a steep path marked with red arrows.
The privately operated
Sierra de las Ánimas
( 094-419891;
www.sierradelasanimas.com
;
Ruta 9, Km86; admission UR$50; 9am-sunset Sat & Sun, plus
Carnaval & Easter weeks)
is just off the Interbalnearia (coastal highway), 25km toward
Montevideo from Piriápolis. There are two good hiking trails, each three to four hours
round-trip: one leads to the 501m summit (Uruguay's second-highest), the other to the
Cañadón de los Espejos
, a series of waterfalls and natural swimming holes that are es-
pecially impressive after good rainfall. Other activities include mountain biking and
camping. Coming from Montevideo by bus, get off at Parador Los Cardos restaurant and
cross the highway. In cold or rainy weather, call ahead to verify it's open.
SOS Rescate de Fauna Marina
( 094-330795;
www.facebook.com/s.o.s.faunamarina
;
Punta Colorada; admission UR$100; by appointment)
, a few kilometers south of Piriá-
polis along the coastal road to pretty Punta Colorada, is Uruguay's premier marine-anim-
al rescue and rehabilitation center. Run entirely by volunteers, its emphasis is on educat-
ing schoolchildren, who can assist with daily feedings and observe penguins, sea lions,
turtles and other rescued wildlife (advance notice requested).
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
