Laguna Garzon

Laguna Garzón divides Maldonado from Rocha, and until 2015 the only way across was a raft carrying two cars at a time. The bridge that replaced it, designed by Rafael Viñoly, is a ring: traffic goes round a circle rather than straight across, which forces drivers to slow to walking pace and turns the crossing into a viewpoint over the lagoon and the ocean. Pedestrian walkways run round the outside of the ring.

The main sights

• The circular bridge - a ring-shaped crossing that forces traffic to slow.
• The walkways - pedestrian paths round the outside of the ring.
• The lagoon - the water body dividing Maldonado from Rocha.
• The birdlife - waders and waterfowl on the lagoon shallows.

When to go

December to March is the busiest. The bridge is open year round. Sunset from the ring is the popular time.

Good to know

It is a bridge and the visit is a stop rather than a destination. Parking at either end is informal and fills in summer. The surrounding shore is being developed rapidly.

Nearby

Jose Ignacio is west, and La Paloma is east.