Salto
Salto is in the citrus growing region of the Northern Interior of Uruguay, on the east bank of the Rio Uruguay. It is closely connected to the neighbouring Argentinian city of Concordia that lies across the river on the western bank. Salto has just under 100,000 residents.
Get in
By bus
There are regular buses from the Tres Cruces terminal in Montevideo, direct service arrives in 6 hours and costs 640 pesos (June 2012 price) per person. Buses are also available from other Uruguayan cities such as Paysandú and Artigas. Buses arrive at the 1 Salto bus terminal, which has food, luggage storage, tourist information, and an ATM, and is attached to the mall (Salto Shopping). Timetables are available at the terminal's website [dead link].
The bus from Salto to Concordia, Argentina is about 1 hour and 360 pesos (October 2019)...this border crossing is quick and straightforward. This bus does not run on Sundays, when the only option is a taxi. (June 2012)
Get around
There are local buses to the city's hot springs at Daymán every hour on the half hour; they travel along Calle Brasil, the fare is 14 pesos. They will deliver you to the water park or the front entrance of the main springs, where there are also several hotels, restaurants and trinket-sellers.
See
- 1 Salto Grande hydroelectric dam (20 km north of the city). This giant dam was built as a joint venture between the governments of Argentina and Uruguay.
- 2 Costanera. A path along the river, good for walking, fishing, or just hanging out. A popular spot to hang out and drink mate in the evenings.
- 3 Muelle Negro. An old dock with benches and nice views of the river. Watch your step, as it has some holes due to water damage.
- 4 Casa Horacio Quiroga (Museo Quiroga), Maciel and Av Gral Líber Seregni, ☏ +598 4732 5685. M–Sa 14:00–20:00. Former house of writer Horacio Quiroga, now a museum of his life and work.
- 5 Parque del Lago. Peaceful riverside park north of the dam with picnic benches and beautiful views of the water. Quiet in the winter but very busy in the summer.
- 6 Museo del Hombre y la Tecnología, Brasil 511. Museum of the history of technology.
- 7 Teatro Larrañaga, Joaquín Suárez 39. Historic theater.
- 8 Ateneo, Artigas 529. Historic cultural center opened in 1895.
Do
The famous healing thermal spa of Fuente Salto is just 6km north of the city.
The hot springs at Daymán are 6 km south, and are accessible by city bus (14 pesos, 25 min). There is a water park Acuamanía with a few slides, and a separate thermal spa which has three sets of pools of different temperatures plus various fountains and showers and a large grassy area for sun and lunch. Entrance costs 70 pesos Uruguayos for foreign travellers, rental of a locker costs 35.
Salto has a free, municipal zoo with almost everything except elephants. The conditions are not exceptional, but are better than at many South American zoos.
Buy
The main street in town is Calle Uruguay, which is pedestrian-oriented and has several shops and services including foreign exchange bureaux and banks with ATMs that accept foreign cards.
- 1 Salto Shopping, Av. Jose Batlle y Ordoñez 2265. Small mall that includes a movie theater and the intercity bus terminal.
Eat
Restaurants are also located along Calle Uruguay, there are a number to choose from. Some have outdoor seating.
- La Parrilla Calle Uruguay 928, tel. 24997
- A.E.B.U Calle Brasil 768, tel. 30606
- Cafeto. A nice little food truck with coffee and pastries at Plaza Treinta y Tres.
- La Tuerca. Best chivitos in town!
- La Trattoria.
Drink
- VJ (VJ Sunset). A restaurant/bar on the water with a nightclub across the street. There are a few other clubs nearby too.
- 1 Chopería Mastra, Uruguay 277, ☏ +598 4735 0370, choperiasalto@mastra.com.uy. Tu–Sa 20:00–02:00. Good selection of beers as well as snacks and other drinks, served under a partially open roof to local twentysomethings at casual clusters of tables, smoking, chatting, and playing the occasional party game.
- La Bambola. Popular dance club.
Sleep
- Tia Hotel, Calle Brasil 566 (several blocks east of boat terminal, one block from Uruguay street, the commercial heart of Salto), ☏ +598 73 2 65 74. Check-in: from 7am, check-out: 10am - noon. Very basic hotel between the boat station and the center, along the bus route towards Dayman hot springs. Low prices and private bathrooms, plus the option of air conditioning, make it agreeable to budget travellers. There is no breakfast. 300 pesos pp; 800 pesos per night for a very comfortable matrimonial bed in a room with bath as a single person as of June 2016.
- Gran Hotel Concordia, Uruguay 749. A historic hotel—the oldest in Uruguay.
- 1 Hotel Horacio Quiroga, Parque del Lago, ☏ +598 4733 4411, info@hotelhoracioquiroga.com. Riverside hotel and spa resort.
Cope
Consulates
Argentina, Artigas 1162.
Go next
The town of Bella Union lies 213km to the north on highway 3, while the city of Paysandu lies 121 km to the south on the same highway. Concordia, Argentina is right across the river.