Enjoy a unique and authentic cultural experience on the shores of the Río de la Plata, next to the old railway station of Colonia del Sacramento, in an open-air setting filled with history, identity, and tradition. In this emblematic place, where a local candombe group regularly rehearses, closely connected to the historic Barrio Sur —a key expression of Afro-Uruguayan heritage— you will connect with the soul of candombe, a rhythm recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. During the workshop, you will discover the three essential candombe drums —chico, repique, and piano— and learn about their role in community life, their rhythmic language, and their deep cultural and social meaning.

Your hosts, local musicians and candombe culture bearers, will share the history and origins of this tradition, born from Afro-descendant resistance and still alive in the identity of Colonia today. This is a hands-on, participatory experience: beyond listening and observing, you will have the opportunity to play the drums, learn their basic rhythms and codes, follow the beat, and feel firsthand the ancestral pulse that connects generations. The experience is completed with a warm moment of sharing, enjoying mate and traditional tortas fritas, just as locals do.

A vibrant, genuine and deeply immersive experience, ideal for travelers seeking to go beyond conventional tourism and connect with Uruguay’s living culture through its people, music and traditions.

Start time: 13:00 (flexible)

Duration: Approx. 1.5 hours

Language: English-speaking guide

Includes: Mate and traditional tortas fritas