Founded in 1817, Salto was a cattleman's town throughout most of its history. The ruins of two meat processing plants where predominantly beef was processed and salted before being shipped to Cuba and Brazil tell the tale of its past. Situated near the Uruguay River just across from Argentina in the north-western part of the country, the city has grown exponentially in recent decades, following the building of a nearby hydroelectric dam.
For travellers, Salto is a great base for exploring the nearby thermal pools but it is also a destination in its own right with a number of fine museums and opportunities for exploring the shores of the Salto Lake by horseback.
