Tacuarembó: Beaches, Dunes and Stargazing

On the Río Negro, San Gregorio de Polanco is known as the “Golden Peninsula.” The nickname refers to the clean sandy beaches and extensive dunes along its shores. The landscape around the town is also shaped by large, man-made pine and eucalyptus forests, together with the beaches. This combination of sand, water and planted forest gives San Gregorio de Polanco its distinctive character.

A landscape between river and reservoir

Water also shapes the surroundings at Rincón del Bonete. The artificial lake covers 12,000 hectares of water and is described as the country’s largest-capacity reservoir. The reservoir is home to the Reserva Acuario del Uruguay, a conservation project for native freshwater biodiversity.

The Arroyo Jabonería is eight kilometers long; its clear water flows over rocky ground. The 100-meter-long “Gregorio Simón Viera” suspension footbridge spans the stream. Crossing it offers views of a landscape characteristic of the Valle. The surrounding area also features the Marmitas Gigantes: hollowed sandstone formations roughly one meter in diameter and depth.

Museums and technological history

The Museo Histórico Casa Muga (MUHCAM) is located in a former general store from the early 20th century that belonged to the Muga family. Its collection includes more than 400 archaeological pieces. Segundo Ademar “Pocho” Muga Prieto, a local resident, assembled the collection over several decades. The museum’s story thus connects a specific place with the long-standing collecting passion of a local resident.

The Represa Rincón del Bonete is a hydroelectric power plant owned by UTE and opened in 1945. Víctor Sudriers, Adolfo Ludín and Julio Vilamajó were involved in the construction of the facility. Visitors can tour the former Sala de Mando with its photo gallery; the UTE museum on the second floor houses historical objects and institutional mementos.

Valle Edén’s railway heritage is also on display. The former Estación de Trenes de AFE preserves the water tank once used to supply steam locomotives. This surviving structure recalls the station’s former function and adds a tangible detail to the region’s museum and technological history.

Valle Edén: directions and stargazing

Valle Edén is located at kilometer 208 of Ruta 26, 23 kilometers from the city of Tacuarembó and 18 kilometers from the town of Tambores. The stated distances may vary depending on the measurement point. Cerro Cementerio lies one kilometer before the entrance to Valle Edén. Graves carved in stone and wood are found on its slopes; burials there began in the 19th century.

In July 2026, the Ministry of Tourism and the Intendencia de Tacuarembó opened an astrotourism lookout on the green space next to the Museo Carlos Gardel in Valle Edén. Guided stargazing and astrophotography experiences in Valle Edén include observing the Moon through telescopes, identifying lunar craters, and locating constellations and planets. Led by experts, these activities give the region a distinctive astronomical focus alongside its landscapes and history.

When planning a hotel stay, the different character of each place can help guide your choice: San Gregorio de Polanco combines a riverside landscape with museum history, while Valle Edén brings together stargazing, railway heritage and striking landforms. The distance information for Valle Edén also provides a specific reference point in relation to the city of Tacuarembó and Tambores.

Discover more destinations: Tacuarembó, Durazno, Río Negro, Tacuarembó, Soriano, San José, Treinta Y Tres, Salto.

For the main travel overview: Uruguay.