Canelones

Understand

Dairy farming is a major industry.

See

This region is home to both of Uruguay's UNESCO World Heritage sites: the old city in Colonia and the meat-packing complex in Fray Bentos. Montevideo's old city is also famous. Beyond that, there are lovely little towns scattered through the region's farmland, as well as beaches on the shores of the enormous river.

Drink

Uruguay is becoming known for its high-quality wines, though the country produces far less than the regional powerhouses of the wine industry, Argentina and Chile. The Rio de la Plata region is the epicenter of Uruguay's growing wine industry. By far, the bulk of grape production is in the Department of Canelones, especially along the route between Montevideo and the city of Canelones. Travelers who would like to visit a Uruguayan winery and sample its wines could do an excellent wine tour by driving between the two nearby cities and then looking eastward to the many other wineries in the western part of the Department of Canelones.

Red wine made from the Tannat grape is the most prevalent style, though other red grapes grown near Canelones include Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot and Marselan. White grapes are also grown but in smaller numbers. The most common white grape varietal is the Albariño, which is more common close to the Atlantic coast.

Eat

Parts of the region are known for dairy production—try the cheese in Colonia del Sacramento and Nueva Helvecia!

Stay safe

Certain neighborhoods in Montevideo and some of its suburbs are best avoided, but other than that, the region is safe.

Go next

Buenos Aires Province, right across the river in Argentina The beaches of Uruguay's Atlantic Coast, where the water is blue! Haven't see enough cows yet? Head to the largely agricultural Central and Northern Interior of Uruguay and you're sure to see plenty more...