On April 23, 2026, UNESCO officially designated Manantiales Serranos, a vast protected area in the Lavalleja department of southeast Uruguay as a new new Global Geopark. This designation representing a milestone for the South American country highlights over 500 million years of geological history, featuring ancient mountain range, metamorphic rocks, and vital water springs, boosting local sustainable tourism and environmental conservation.
The distinction also implies its classification as a geological and heritage site of scientific, historical and cultural relevance with international projection. The designation also represents a strategic opportunity for the country’s tourism development. In particular, it promotes the diversification of the offer through experiences linked to geotourism, aimed at an increasingly aware visitor profile, interested in nature, environmental education and respect for the territories.
In this framework, the recognition strengthens public conservation policies and promotes responsible hetitage management models, alitgned with the principles of sustainable development.
The Manantiales Serranos geopark covers more than 2.000 square kilometres in Lavalleja department in southeast Uruguay, characterized by a rugged countryside, granite hills, caves and rivers.
The geopark includes key areas such as the city of Minas, the municipality of Solís de Mataojo, Villa Serrana, Salus Park and the Aguas Blancas area. Its territory is defined by ancient mountain ranges, rocky outcrops and valleys, with over 80% composed of metamorphic and igneous rocks,with in addition critical aquifer systems and natural springs.
The Manantiales Serranos geopark offers geotourism, hiking, rural tourism, adventure activities like ziplining and climbing as well as educational experiences and nowadays recognized by UNESCO as a new global geopark it becomes a key conservation area, providing visitors opportunities for learning and experiencing natural, 500 - million - year old landscapes.
Lavalleja Government said that this international recognition puts Uruguay on the global map of sustainable tourism and highlights what makes this territory unique: its geological wealth, its landscape, its culture and, above all its people. Geoparks are not just places to visit, they are spaces where science, education, and responsible tourism meet, where the geological past of the territory, because a concrete opportunity for development for those who inhabit it today.
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Thanks a lot to read and note.