Laguna Merín

One of the largest freshwater lakes in the world, this vast lagoon that borders Brazil runs for about 200 kilometers (124 miles). While guinea fowl, herons, and swans congregate on the silken beaches, catfish and silverside flourish in the tranquil waters, making them ideal for fishing. The rice plantations that abound in the wetlands surrounding the lagoon support the local economy. The lake comes to life in the summer. A yearly folklore festival, the glitzy Queen of the Lake competition, and thrilling water sports draw large crowds of visitors. Strong winds and rolling sands make Laguna Merín the ideal location to practice windsurfing or kiteboarding.

The Laguna Merín has a lot of potential for tourists and athletes. Most of its coastline is made up of pristine, shallow, sandy beaches, which make it the perfect place for families to enjoy themselves in the summer. Sports fishermen will find a wide variety of fish that are of a fair size, including the greater silver in the winter, los pintados in enormous schools starting in September, the wolf fish in the summer, and several varieties of catfish all year long. A characteristic that would excite any ornithologist or amateur ecotourist is the coexistence of numerous wild creatures and hundreds of different bird species due to the area's large beaches, natural forest, and hundreds of square kilometers of impenetrable marshes and wetlands. The lagoon is ideal for water sports, especially those involving sailing because the wind is nearly continuous throughout the year.

Location: Border between Brazil and Uruguay