Laguna de Castillos

The Laguna de Castillos is located 15 kilometers east of Uruguay, in the city of Castillos. It is a section of the UNESCO-designated Bañados del Este (East Marshes) Biosphere Reserve. Due to its significance to ornithology, it has been declared as an Important Area for Bird Conservation. Laguna de Castillos spans 8,000 hectares and has a maximum depth of only 5 meters. It is considered as one of the most beautiful lagoons of Rocha as well as one of the best lakes to visit in Uruguay. This stream's sandy bar near its mouth has an open-and-closed regime that permits seawater to intermittently enter the lagoon. This causes fluctuations in the salinity and clarity of the water, which promotes the growth of a diverse range of biological species.

A tourist destination known for its substantial cattle ranching, Barra Grande is located inside the protected area and to the north of the lagoon. Due to the fact that this property gets the contribution of all the waters in the North of the lagoon basin, you may quickly go through a range of ecosystems, including marshes, meadows, ceibal trees, and albardón forests. The estancia Guardia del Monte, which has been designated a historical landmark and is bounded by the Monte de ombes, is situated on the lagoon's banks. Its historic main house is there. There are several sights to see and things to do, including bird viewing, canoeing, sport fishing, horseback riding, and vehicle rides, as well as guided tours of the local forest. One of the nicest postcards featuring the Laguna de Castillos and the Atlantic Ocean in the background can be found around kilometer 246 along Route 9. A 6-kilometer road leads to Cerro Agapito (Agapito Hill), which offers a panoramic view of the lagoon and the Cuchilla Carbonera, a little further on at km 251. habitat for 256 recognized bird species, with bird spotting being one of the most popular pastimes there.

Location: Castillos