Uruguay travel blog by Mark Berman -
November 2019
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The Rocha Department has a lot more to offer than the city itself. The department has coast, beaches and fishing villages to explore - go
to La Paloma (31kms from Rocha). The city has a few old colonial buildings and facades in the streets around the main plaza. Coming from Maldonado by
bus I spent a few hours in Rocha (city) before continuing my travels on this day up to Punta del Diablo. I explored the streets of
Rocha trying to find things to photograph but only really found a few buildings - nothing substantial. Did I miss something?
What You Should Do In Rocha
Clearly, being in the city of Rocha itself is not the right place to be to enjoy what the Rocha department has to offer. Of
course it's good to see the city, but if you are in this part of Uruguay hire a car and take the coastal road from La Paloma north to
Aguas Dulces, a distance of only 62kms. Spend the day exploring the coastal area, beaches and villages. Starting at Rocha Lagoon
beside La Paloma the beaches are Playa La Serena, Playa Anaconda, Playa Los Botes, Playa El Cabito, Playa La Balconada and Playa
Las Rocas. Then at the point is the lighthouse - El Faro del Cabo Santa Maria. Then more beaches - Playa del Faro, Playa Bahia
Chica and Playa Bahia Grande. Then is the yacht club and port of La Paloma (yes we are still in La Paloma!). There are a lot of
camping areas around this area (yacht club / port) of La Paloma. Northward from here is Playa La Aguada, Playa Costa Azul, Playa
Antoniopolis, Playa Arachania, Playa del Barco, Playa del Desplayado, Playa Punta Rubia, Playa Santa Isabel, Playa de OceanÃa del
Polonio, Playa Costa de Oro and Playa Sur. In Cabo Polonio there are sand dunes, a wildlife reserve - Reserva de Lobos Marinos de
Cabo Polonio (sea lions) and a national park. Next is Playa Norte, Playa La Calavera and Playa Cerro Buena Vista before the bridge
crossing over Valizas Stream which flows from the sea to Castillos Lagoon. There are activities to enjoy in Barra de Valizas on
the northern side of the stream. The local beach is Playa Barra de Valizas and in Aguas Dulces - Playa Aguas Dulces. Sounds like a great day trip to me or even better, stay the night along the way. Next time for me!
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Stone facade with large portholes, flowers and leaves and arched door in Rocha.
Pink building looks like a castle, beautiful antique facade in fine condition in Rocha.
Antique facade with a lot of detail, has an aged look but is very attractive, Rocha.
Long, tall and white, the doors of Rocha, nice stone design at the top.
