The capital of Lavalleja Department sits beneath the Mina Oriental hills. Its marble quarries and meat-processing plants drive the local economy.
Minas lies 75 miles southeast of Montevideo, surrounded by granite hills and valleys. You can hike to the 40-meter Salto del Penitente waterfall, swim in the mineral springs at Parque Salus, or follow trails to viewpoints across the rocky landscape. The city center has a 19th-century cathedral, while at Parque Rodó you'll find farm animals and walking paths. For a panoramic view of the region, climb the 250-meter Cerro Artigas.
Getting to Minas
Buses depart every two hours from Montevideo's Tres Cruces terminal to Minas, covering the 75-mile journey in about 2 hours. If you're driving, take the Pan-American Highway east from Montevideo - the trip typically takes 1.5 hours. Small aircraft serve Minas airport, though most visitors arrive by bus.
Parks and Green Spaces
At Parque Rodó, you can swim in public pools, play sports, or walk along shaded paths. Children especially enjoy the small farm area where peacocks, swans, and llamas roam freely. The park's stadium hosts two major events: Minas & Abril in April brings regional musicians to perform, while Semana de Lavalleja in October celebrates local culture with food and music.
Hills and Waterways
The granite hills around Minas rise up to 250 meters. You can walk to the top of Cerro Artigas on the city's eastern edge, where an equestrian statue of General José Artigas marks the summit. The Salto del Penitente waterfall, 16 kilometers east, drops 40 meters over granite rocks. Hiking trails lead through the woods around the falls. At Parque Salus, 9 kilometers west, you can visit the springs that produce Uruguay's popular mineral water.
Museums and Architecture
The Casa de la Cultura occupies the former home of Juan Antonio Lavalleja, displaying artifacts from early settlers and gaucho life. The 1892 Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception stands out with its neoclassical design, white walls, and twin bell towers. The Museo de Réplicas en Miniatura displays intricate scale models of buildings from across Uruguay and other countries.
Local Products
Local bakeries make alfajores using recipes that date back to the 1800s - these sandwich cookies come filled with dulce de leche and often coated in chocolate or powdered sugar. The Salus company has bottled mineral water from local springs since 1902. The granite and marble quarries that gave Minas its name still operate in the surrounding hills.
Surrounding Areas
In Villa Serrana, 25 kilometers northeast, you can see 1940s buildings designed by architect Julio Vilamajó set among the hills. The road to Aigua curves through valleys and past granite outcrops, with stopping points for photos. Near Cerro Arequita, several caves open to visitors, and at Isla de Ombues you'll find the largest group of Ombu trees in the world - some reaching heights of 12 meters.
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