The Barón de Mauá International Bridge spans the Yaguarón River between Río Branco on the Uruguayan side and Jaguarão on the Brazilian side. Built between 1927 and 1930, it has 85 arches and 2,046 pilings — an impressive piece of construction for its era, particularly in this remote corner of South America. The bridge replaced a much earlier crossing and for decades it was the only road link between the two countries in this region.
Crossing the bridge on foot is free and straightforward. The views along the river are pleasant, especially at dusk. On the Uruguayan side, the duty-free zone begins almost immediately beyond the bridge — alcohol, cosmetics, electronics, and food at prices that attract Brazilians in large numbers on weekends. On the Brazilian side, the colonial architecture of Jaguarão, including its handsome 19th-century theatre, is worth a brief exploration.