Cidade Turismo
Uruguay

Before you go

Your trip to Salto.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Salto – Salto Capital

How to get there

  • Aeropuerto Internacional Nueva Hespérides (STY) 7 km
  • Aeropuerto Internacional de Carrasco (MVD) Ciudad de la Costa · 500 km
  • Terminal de Ómnibus de Salto 2 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

From Barra do Quaraí, via Bella Unión, it’s 147 km along Ruta 3. From Quaraí, via Artigas, about 210 km via Rutas 4 and 31. From Rivera, roughly 335 km via Rutas 5 and 31. From Montevidéu, around 500 km via Rutas 1 and 3. The bus station is next to Salto Shopping. The dam’s bridge links Salto to Concordia. Confirm before buying.

How many days

One day is enough for downtown, the Muelle Negro and an afternoon in Daymán. With two days you can include the Represa de Salto Grande, Casa Quiroga and Salto Chico. With three days, set aside a full day for the Termas del Arapey.

When to go

All year. From May to September the hot springs are busier, with average lows around 7 °C in July. From December to February average highs exceed 30 °C, and Acuamanía is in season. Avoid Semana de Turismo if you don't like crowds.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Not required. The center can be explored on foot, and there is a city bus to Daymán and buses from Salto to Arapey Monday to Saturday. The dam has a tour with transport departing from Daymán. A car makes it easier to combine the dam, Salto Chico and Arapey in the same itinerary.

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 Salto
  1. Morning
    Cathedral, Plaza Artigas and Teatro Larrañaga

    Start at Plaza Artigas, enter the Catedral Basílica San Juan Bautista and follow Calle Uruguay to the façade of Teatro Larrañaga.

  2. Afternoon
    Afternoon at the Termas del Daymán

    Go by car or by city bus to Daymán, 10 km away, and spend the afternoon in the pools of the municipal thermal park.

  3. Late afternoon
    Muelle Negro and Costanera

    Return to the riverfront, walk along the Muelle Negro and the Costanera Sur and watch the sun set over Concordia.

  4. Evening
    Dinner in the center

    Dine at a restaurant in the city center or on the costanera. Uruguayans usually have dinner after 9:00 p.m.

2 days in Salto

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Represa de Salto Grande

    Take the guided tour of the dam, booked in advance, with a viewpoint, engine room and crossing of the international bridge.

  2. Afternoon
    Casa Quiroga and Salto Chico

    On the way back, visit Casa Horacio Quiroga, which opens in the afternoon, and follow the Costanera Norte to the rapids of Salto Chico.

  3. Late afternoon
    Muelle Negro

    End the day at the Muelle Negro, the old iron railway pier on the Río Uruguay.

  4. Evening
    Salto center

    Stroll around the illuminated Plaza Artigas and have dinner in the center.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Cathedral and Teatro Larrañaga

    Visit the Cathedral, Plaza Artigas with the monument to Artigas, and Teatro Larrañaga, from 1882.

  2. Afternoon
    Termas del Daymán or Acuamanía

    Spend the afternoon at the Daymán thermal park. In season, from September to March, travelers with children can opt for Acuamanía.

  3. Late afternoon
    Thermal bath at dusk

    Stay in the pools until late afternoon, when the air cools and the hot water makes more of a difference.

  4. Evening
    Night in Daymán

    Dine at one of Daymán's village restaurants or return to downtown Salto.

3 days in Salto

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Historic center

    Plaza Artigas, Cathedral and Teatro Larrañaga, with a walk along Calle Uruguay.

  2. Afternoon
    Casa Quiroga and Salto Chico

    Visit Casa Horacio Quiroga in the afternoon and follow the Costanera Norte to Salto Chico.

  3. Late afternoon
    Muelle Negro

    Late afternoon at the Muelle Negro and on the Costanera Sur, facing Concordia.

  4. Evening
    Dinner in the center

    Dinner in Salto's center, unhurried.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Represa de Salto Grande

    Guided visit to the dam from the Uruguayan side, with prior booking.

  2. Afternoon
    Termas del Daymán

    Head to Daymán and spend the afternoon at the municipal thermal park or, in season, at Acuamanía.

  3. Late afternoon
    Pools at dusk

    Enjoy the warmer pools at the end of the day.

  4. Evening
    Night in Daymán

    Sleep in Daymán to leave early the next morning heading north.

Day 3

  1. Morning
    Road to Arapey

    Take Ruta 3 north and the Camino Raúl Gaudín to the Termas del Arapey, about 90 km.

  2. Afternoon
    Arapey thermal park

    Spend the afternoon in the pools of Arapey's municipal thermal park, surrounded by countryside.

  3. Late afternoon
    Banks of the Río Arapey

    Walk to the Río Arapey, with rapids over basalt, and see the tomb of the 1903 soldier.

  4. Evening
    Night in Arapey or return

    Stay overnight in Arapey or return to Salto, a little over an hour's drive.

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

Can you go from Salto to Concordia, in Argentina?

Yes. The bridge over the Represa de Salto Grande connects the two cities. Bring identification and check migration requirements before crossing.

Where is it better to stay: in Salto's center or in Daymán?

In Daymán, if you want to use the thermal baths several times a day. In the center, to have restaurants, shops and walks within walking distance.

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