Ola Uruguay Real Estate and Investments

Situated on the shores of the Negro River, which geographically divides Uruguay in two halves, is the town of Paso de los Toros. This charming destination, the second largest city in the Department of Tacuarembó, is the birthplace of the famous Uruguayan writer and poet Mario Benedetti. It is also famous for its tonic water. Called “Paso de los Toros” after its hometown, and invented by Rómulo Mangini, this drink is unquestionably Uruguayan.

This city’s main tourist attraction is Dr. Gabriel Terra Dam, also known as Rincón del Bonete. This contention dam was the first hydro-electrical dam to be built in the country. It features an artificial lake, which occupies around 120,000 hectares, where fishing and other nautical sports can be enjoyed.

A number of campsites surrounding the city are equipped with everything you need to spend a few days in the thick of the outdoors. Bars, restaurants, recreation areas, playgrounds, courts, and fields for playing various sports, along with bathroom and shower facilities, are some of the services provided. This is a beautiful area surrounding the meandering Negro River.

Upon entering the city and after crossing the river over Centenario Bridge, you can stroll along wide 18 de Julio Avenue toward the downtown area, enjoying its vast gardens, which feature a magnificent view of the city.

From a distance, the unique architecture of Santa Isabel parish can be seen. Built in a rich Gothic style, it is one of the sights that should definitely be on your must-do list.

Paso de los Toros used to be a very large rural estate owned by the Bálsamo family. As time went by, it gained importance due to the fact that it was alongside the shallowest part in the Negro River, and therefore, the chosen place for crossing. It came to be called “Paso”, which means “passing”. This was also the spot used by cattle raisers to lead the bulls bred in Northern Uruguay across the river on their way to Montevideo, to the cattle port known as Cerro. This is how the city came to be known as Paso de los Toros (the passing of the bulls).

After the settlement of the local dwellers and the population boom, the Santa Isabel parish was built, and a deal was made to call this place “Santa Isabel de Paso de los Toros”. For such reason, the dwellers are referred to as “isabelinos”.

Some time later, bridges were built to cross the river, allowing more transport and better communication between the north and the south of the country. Immigrants from all over the world began to settle and build up businesses, or work the fields or the local industry. This was around the time that Italian Rómulo Mangini emerged. With his vision and dedication, he invented a formula for the famous tonic water, a natural and unique product that crossed many borders to reach the world from this small city.

To get to Paso de los Toros from the city of Tacuarembó, the capital of the department, take Route 5 heading south and travel the 140 kilometers to the city entrance.

The information in this article has been reproduced here with the permission of www.welcomeuruguay.com.