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Before you go
Your trip to Paysandú.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Paysandú – Paysandú Capital
How to get there
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Aeropuerto Internacional Tydeo Larre Borges (PDU) 6 km
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Terminal de Ómnibus de Paysandú 1 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
From Montevideo, about 380 km by road, by car or by bus from the Tres Cruces terminal. From Argentina, via the General Artigas bridge that connects Colón with Paysandú. The city has a regional airport, Tydeo Larre Borges; regular flights to Paysandú are rare, so most travelers arrive by land. Confirm schedules before traveling.
How many days
One day for the center: the basilica, the Teatro Florencio Sánchez and the Monumento a Perpetuidad. Two days to add the Termas de Guaviyú; three to include the Meseta de Artigas.
When to go
From October to April, with long warm days; December to February is the hottest period. From June to August it is cold and can frost, and the hot springs become busier. Rain falls throughout the year. During Semana de Turismo, in March or April, the Semana de la Cerveza fills the city.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
In the center, no: the attractions are a few blocks from each other. For the Termas de Guaviyú and the Meseta de Artigas, a car makes access easier; there are buses along Route 3 to the hot springs, but the meseta does not have direct public transport.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Paysandú
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Morning
Basilica and historic center
Start with the basilica of Nuestra Señora del Rosario y San Benito de Palermo, rebuilt after the siege of 1864–1865, which houses a Walcker organ from 1906. Walk the streets of the center, near Plaza Constitución, where many 19th-century buildings are located.
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Afternoon
Monumento a Perpetuidad
Walk to the old cemetery on Montecaseros Street. Allow about an hour for the mausoleums, the Italian marble sculptures and the 1859 chapel; if there is a guided visit, take it.
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Late afternoon
Uruguay River and chajá
Go to the bank of the Uruguay River to watch the late afternoon over the Argentine shore. Along the way, try the chajá, the dessert that was created in a pastry shop in Paysandú.
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Evening
Florencio Sánchez Theatre
If there is a performance, see a play or concert at the Florencio Sánchez Theatre, opened in 1876. If not, stop by the illuminated façade at the corner of 19 de Abril and 18 de Julio.
2 days in Paysandú
Day 2
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All day
Guaviyú Hot Springs
Follow Route 3 north to the Guaviyú Hot Springs, about 60 km away. Spend the day in the warm pools of the Guaraní Aquifer and walk the trail along the Guaviyú stream.
3 days in Paysandú
Day 3
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Morning
Artigas Plateau
Continue on Route 3 to km 453 and take the access road to the Artigas Plateau. See the 1899 monument, the viewpoint over the river cliffs, and the interpretation center at the Casona del Patriarca.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
What to do in Paysandú?
Visit the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Rosario y San Benito de Palermo, the Florencio Sánchez Theatre and the Monument to Perpetuity in the center; to the north, the Guaviyú Hot Springs and the Artigas Plateau. And try the chajá, the city’s dessert.
Why is Paysandú called "La Heroica"?
Because of the siege the city endured between December 1864 and January 1865, during a Uruguayan civil war. The city's defense gave rise to the nickname.
Is Paysandú near Argentina?
Yes. On the other side of the Uruguay River lies the Argentine city of Colón, connected to Paysandú by the General Artigas Bridge. border requirements depend on your nationality and travel document: confirm before you travel.
What is the Paysandú Beer Week?
A popular festival that began in 1966 at Plaza Constitución and today takes place on the banks of the Uruguay River during Tourism Week, featuring shows, a craft fair and food. Dates change each year.
Does Paysandú have hot springs?
The department has thermal centers. The closest to the city is Guaviyú, about 60 km north via Route 3.