About
Soriano is a department in the southwest of Uruguay, bordering Argentina across the Uruguay River. It is a rural part of the country, and its landscape and economy are shaped largely by agriculture, which is the region's best-known feature.
The land and its work
Soriano is known for its agricultural production, and a visit here tends to be about the working countryside rather than a dense run of sights. Fields, farms and the rhythm of rural life define much of the department, and travellers who enjoy seeing how a region earns its living will find it a quiet and absorbing place to spend time.
Mercedes, the capital
The departmental capital is Mercedes, a historic colonial town. Its colonial character is the main reason many visitors come into the department, and a stroll through the town offers a sense of its older streets and the settled life that grew up around them. Mercedes works well as a base for exploring the surrounding department at an unhurried pace.
Planning a visit
- Plan for a slower, countryside-focused trip rather than a city itinerary.
- Base yourself in Mercedes to see the colonial town and reach the rural areas around it.
- Its position on the Argentine border makes it a natural stop for travellers moving between the two countries.
