1 ★ Unmissable
Real footprints from three kinds of dinosaur
Sauropods, theropods and ornithopods left their marks more than 150 million years ago, on sandstone from the Tacuarembó Formation. Real fossils, not replicas.
Home Dinosaur Route
Culture · Science · Family The Dinosaur Route · Tacuarembó, Uruguay
27 km · 22 min from El Arrayán No fixed hours · self-guided site Free entry Accessible · tactile replicas Great for families
Why it's worth it
Real fossil footprints over 150 million years old, discovered in 2009 by a team from the Faculty of Sciences (UdelaR) led by Dr. Daniel Perea. Uruguay's first paleontological site museum, declared a National Historic Monument — real science, not replicas, with free entry and no fixed hours.
The original find was on October 12, 2009, in Cuchilla del Ombú, when the team identified three groups of footprints — sauropods, theropods and ornithopods — about 40 cm across, on sandstone from the Tacuarembó Formation. In 2013 the site was declared a National Historic Monument, the country's first paleontological one.
Before you plan your route
This attraction is east of the city of Tacuarembó, along Route 26 toward Melo. Valle Edén, on the other hand, is to the west. It's best not to combine them in the same day — that means crossing the city twice. Each one deserves its own outing.
What to see and do
What you can't miss
Hover over each card for the detail.
1 
2 Walkthrough
The covered lookout and its walkways
A covered structure with elevated walkways lets you take in the site without stepping on the footprints. It includes tactile replicas, designed for kids and for visitors with visual impairments.
3 Self-guided
Bilingual signage with QR codes
Panels in Spanish and English explain each trail, with QR codes linking to documentary videos about the find and the Jurassic period in Tacuarembó.
4 Sculpture at the entrance
Dinocándido, the dicraeosaurus
A 3-meter-tall, 11-meter-long sculpture by artist Mauro Arbiza (Paso de los Toros), advised by the paleontologists who found the original footprints.
Getting there
Access and routes
From El Arrayán
Route 26 east (toward Melo), leaving the city of Tacuarembó, to Km 262.5 in Cuchilla del Ombú. It's well signposted, both on Google Maps and on site. Total: 27 km · 22 min by car.
From Montevideo
Route 5 north to Tacuarembó (~370 km, 4 h). From the city, Route 26 east another 27 km to Km 262.5. (Exact stretch to be confirmed.)
Practical info
Before you go
- Hours
- No fixed hours
- Entry
- Free
- Guided?
- Self-guided · no permanent staff
- Duration
- Short · at your own pace
- Best time
- Year-round, daytime (no artificial light on site)
- Good for kids?
- Yes, with accessible tactile replicas
- What to bring
- Water, sunscreen and comfortable shoes
- On-site services
- None — self-guided site with no services
- Historic Monument
- Yes, since 2013 · Uruguay's first paleontological one
- Managed by
- Municipality of Tacuarembó, with the Faculty of Sciences (UdelaR) and MEC
Alejandro and Yanet's tip
Since it's free and has no fixed hours, the best plan is to stop by on the way: if you leave Tacuarembó on Route 26 heading east (toward Melo), it's right on your route without much of a detour. It's always a hit with kids — and now you can also get a photo with Dinocándido, the dicraeosaurus at the entrance.
— Alejandro and Yanet · hosts at El Arrayán
Combine with 
Round out your day
The visit is short. Combine it with other attractions near El Arrayán.
Tacuarembó Museums
Three museums in the city, on your way back. Regional history and paleontology.
4 km · 8 min Iporá Lake Resort
River beach and campground 9 min from El Arrayán. A good plan for the same day.
5.6 km · 9 min Laguna de las Lavanderas
2 min on foot from El Arrayán. Home of the Patria Gaucha festival.
600 m · 2 min Frequently asked questions
What people ask
Is entry to the Dinosaur Route free?
Yes, it's an open, self-guided paleontological site, with no ticket booth or permanent staff. Entry is completely free, no booking needed.
Is there a fixed schedule to visit it?
No. Since there's no staff on site, there are no opening or closing hours — you can visit any time. It's best to go during the day, with natural light, to make the most of the signage and photos.
What can you actually see at the site?
Real fossil footprints in situ, over 150 million years old, on sandstone from the Tacuarembó Formation — not replicas or statues (except Dinocándido, the sculpture at the entrance). Three groups were identified: sauropods, theropods and ornithopods.
Is it good to visit with kids?
Yes. The site was designed with accessibility in mind: it includes tactile replicas of the footprints, made for both kids and visitors with visual impairments.
What is Dinocándido?
It's the sculpture at the entrance of the site: a dicraeosaurus 3 m tall and 11 m long, by artist Mauro Arbiza (Paso de los Toros), with scientific input from paleontologists Pablo Toriño and Daniel Perea.
Are there restrooms or any other services on site?
No. It's a self-guided site with no permanent staff or services. Bring water and sunscreen, and use the restroom before leaving Tacuarembó or El Arrayán.
El Arrayán
Coming with the kids to see the dinosaurs?
Stay at El Arrayán, 22 minutes from the site, and take the chance to explore the rest of Tacuarembó too. Direct booking on WhatsApp, hosted by Alejandro and Yanet.