Choose from 8 Fun Things to Do in Punta Del Este
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Casapueblo
Located 13 kilometers from Punta del Este, Casapueblo is the former summer home of Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró and today is a hotel, museum and more. The structure itself is a work of art — the result of 36 years of construction and careful design. Built into the cliffs, Casapueblo is reminiscent of the whitewashed buildings in Santorini, with a twist of modern art.
Even if you’re not planning on staying in the hotel, Casapueblo and the city of Punta Ballena is a popular day trip from Punta del Este. Visitors get a real insight to the artist’s life and 50 years of work. Casapueblo is the home to Vilaró’s studios and today the gallery and museum house his works, complete with photos and a short film about his life. Casapueblo also attracts visitors for the amazing ocean views, which are especially breathtaking at sunset. A highlight of a visit is the nightly Sun Celebration that takes place at sunset on the decks of the museum overlooking the ocean. Viewing the sunset can get very crowded, especially in the summer, so it’s best to arrive early. The restaurant at Casapueblo is the ideal place to have a special meal and take in the million-dollar view.
Practical Info
The Casapueblo is located in Punta Ballena. It is open every day of the year from 10 a.m. until sunset. Admission is 150 pesos.
Address: Museo – Taller de Casapubelo, Punta Ballena 20003, Uruguay
Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. to sunset
Admission: 150 pesos
From $ 10
Mansa Beach (Playa Mansa)
Mansa Beach, or Playa Mansa, is a popular spot on Uruguay’s Atlantic coast in the southeastern part of the country. Although the area sees a very residential population, the influx of summer tourists definitely keeps the beach booming, where there are two types of coastline: brava (fierce) and mansa (tame).
Mansa Beach extends from the Chilean Beach up to the Port of Punta del Este. The bay is quiet with very calm waters and thick sand, while the water goes from deep to shallow as you approach Punta del Este Port. At the beach you’ll find a fishing club and a nearby wooden bridge to cross for beautiful views of the bay, Gorriti Island and the peninsula.
Practical Info
All beaches in Punta Este are public, but be wary crossing to Brava beaches if you are traveling with young ones given the risk for high waves. At Mansa Beach, there are spots to buy food and rent watersports equipment, sun chairs and sunshades.
Address: Punta del Este, Uruguay
From $ 32
La Barra
A small fishing town about six miles north of the Punta del Este peninsula, La Barra has been converted into a tourist area with colorful houses, flea markets and antique shops. Despite its popularity with the younger crowd in search of nightlife, La Barra attracts a number of wealthy visitors, including movie stars and models.
Punta del Este has plenty of notable beaches, and La Barra is no exception. Don’t miss Bikini Beach or the popular Montoya, Manantiales, Punta Piedras and El Chorro beaches nearby. Visitors also seek out La Barra’s hot nightlife. The area gets quite busy after dinner, especially around 2 a.m., when the younger crowd hits La Barra to check out the various pubs and discos.
La Barra also has a number of good restaurants if you’re looking to dine in the area and not stay out until sunrise. Choose from traditional Uruguayan eats, sushi places and even Italian restaurants.
Practical Info
Route 10 is the main road to La Barra and features the Puente de Barra de Maldonado, a bridge famous for its flexible design. To visit La Barra from the peninsula, you will need to have a car or means of transport, as buses are not very frequent and taxis usually require a reservation. In town, expect club prices to rise in summer, especially during late December and early January and on weekends. After January 15, you will see a drop in prices, although the area is still quite crowded.
Address: La Barra, Uruguay
From $ 32
Punta del Este Yacht Club
Because Punta del Este is known as the “Monaco of South America,” it would only make sense to visit the city’s famous Punta del Este Yacht Club. While a bit pricey, the restaurant here will really make you feel like you’re living the high life. Mix the classy ambiance and delicious food with a glass of pinot, a bit of jazz music and a multi-colored sunset, and you’ll truly be experiencing the best Punta del Este has to offer. The balcony offers great ocean views, and you can watch the many yachts and sailboats as they dock and set sail. The staff at the yacht club are very welcoming to visiting sailors, and several regattas, including the Rolex Cup, are hosted here throughout the year.
Address: Calle 13 esquina 12, Punta del Este, Uruguay
From $ 32
Punta del Este Cruise Port
Punta del Este is a sophisticated and fashionable beach resort reminiscent of the French Riviera. Impressive mansions line the coast and wealthy tourists come from all over South America to enjoy the beaches and nightlife.
How to Get to Punta del Este
Once your cruise ship docks, you will be taken ashore by tenders. The city center is about 10 blocks from the pier. Taxis may be hard to come by, so you may need to be prepared to walk into town if your ship doesn't offer transportation.
One Day in Punta del Este
Without a doubt, the main attraction in Punta del Este are the outstanding beaches. Mansa Beach, Brava Beach and Gorriti Island are some of the most popular and many visitors simply spend their time in Punta del Este enjoying the surf and sun. Brava Beach is ideal for surfing, while Gorriti Island is great for windsurfing and diving. Bikini Beach is the place to go if you're trying to spot a celebrity or two.
If you are looking for cultural attractions, start by visiting the Casa Pueblo, a museum-residence just outside of town that somewhat resembles a giant sculpture. Then head back into town to visit your pick of the Museo del Mar (Marine Museum), the Uriburu Museum of Contemporary Art, the Museum Ralli, which also showcases contemporary Latin American art, or Maam, a museum featuring the private art and archaeology collection of Uruguayan artist Paez-Vilaro. You might also stop at the Candelaria Church, the most important Catholic church in the city.
Regardless of how you spend the earlier part of your day, don't forget to do a little shopping before you leave. The main shopping area centers around Avenida Gorlero, with shops specializing in leather goods and jewelry. If you are looking for art, pay a visit to the Plaza Artigas, where you will find a variety of arts and crafts, or head to La Barra to check out its galleries.
Port Information
The local currency is the Uruguayan peso. Credit cards are widely accepted, but ATM's may reject foreign cards. Spanish is the official language, but you may find a few English speakers within the city.
How to Get to Punta del Este
Once your cruise ship docks, you will be taken ashore by tenders. The city center is about 10 blocks from the pier. Taxis may be hard to come by, so you may need to be prepared to walk into town if your ship doesn't offer transportation.
One Day in Punta del Este
Without a doubt, the main attraction in Punta del Este are the outstanding beaches. Mansa Beach, Brava Beach and Gorriti Island are some of the most popular and many visitors simply spend their time in Punta del Este enjoying the surf and sun. Brava Beach is ideal for surfing, while Gorriti Island is great for windsurfing and diving. Bikini Beach is the place to go if you're trying to spot a celebrity or two.
If you are looking for cultural attractions, start by visiting the Casa Pueblo, a museum-residence just outside of town that somewhat resembles a giant sculpture. Then head back into town to visit your pick of the Museo del Mar (Marine Museum), the Uriburu Museum of Contemporary Art, the Museum Ralli, which also showcases contemporary Latin American art, or Maam, a museum featuring the private art and archaeology collection of Uruguayan artist Paez-Vilaro. You might also stop at the Candelaria Church, the most important Catholic church in the city.
Regardless of how you spend the earlier part of your day, don't forget to do a little shopping before you leave. The main shopping area centers around Avenida Gorlero, with shops specializing in leather goods and jewelry. If you are looking for art, pay a visit to the Plaza Artigas, where you will find a variety of arts and crafts, or head to La Barra to check out its galleries.
Port Information
The local currency is the Uruguayan peso. Credit cards are widely accepted, but ATM's may reject foreign cards. Spanish is the official language, but you may find a few English speakers within the city.
Address: Punta del Este, Uruguay
From $ 53
Los Dedos Playa Brava (La Mano en la Arena)
Brava Beach (Playa Brava) has golden sands and surf-worthy waves, but the star attraction is Mario Irarrázabal’s La Mano (The Hand). Punta del Este’s best-known landmark, the gigantic sculpture of a hand reaching up out of the sand—los Dedos means “the fingers”—is meant to symbolise a drowning swimmer and warn of the beach’s notorious waves.
The Basics
Most Playa Brava visitors make a beeline for La Mano, which is found at Parada 4, and a photo stop at the sculpture is often included on city tours of Punta del Este. The beach itself is also a great spot for surfing and water sports, and there are a number of outlets where you can rent stand-up paddleboards or bodyboards.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The waves can be strong at Brava Beach, so swim only in designated areas and at times when the lifeguards are on patrol.
- There are a number of beach bars, restaurants, and kiosks along the beach, and sun loungers and parasols are available to rent.
- Playa Brava is a popular place to learn to surf, and there are several surf schools along the beachfront.
How to Get There
Brava Beach is located on the Atlantic Coast of Punta del Este, Uruguay, and can be reached on foot or by a short taxi ride from the town center. The Los Dedos sculpture is located at Parada 4, at the far western end of the beach, about a 5-minute walk from Punta del Este’s bus and ferry terminals. Buses run up and down the beachfront regularly.
When to Get There
The most popular time for swimming and water sports is during the summer months (mid-December to mid-March), when lifeguards patrol the beach. It’s no secret that sunset is an atmospheric time to visit, so for the rare, crowd-free photo, it’s best to make an early start and get there for sunrise.
Beaches of Punta del Este
Punta del Este’s second main beach, Playa Mansa, runs along the Rio de la Plata coast, offering gentle waves more suitable for swimming and activities including snorkeling and Jet Skiing in summer. East of Playa Brava in La Barra is Bikini Beach, lined with beach bars and nightclubs and best known for its nightlife. Farther up the coast, the beach town of José Ignacio also has miles of sandy beaches with great surf.
Address: Punta del Este, Uruguay
From $ 32
Artigas Square
Artigas Square, or Plaza Artigas, is the spot to hit in Punta del Este if you have an interest in arts and crafts, as it plays host to the arts and crafts fair, where a number of artisans and painters showcase their work.
Typically you will find anywhere between 150 and 200 stalls with Uruguayan artists exhibiting a variety of items for sale. It’s the ideal spot for visitors to learn more about Uruguayan culture and for artisans to showcase their work to inquisitive travelers.
Vendor offerings at Artigas Square cover everything from clothing to cartoon drawings, while some of the most popular items include leather goods, textiles, paintings, woodwork and sculptures. Also look for valuable jewelry made from gold, silver and semi-precious stones found in the northern part of Uruguay.
The plaza is named after General José Gervasio Artigas, a national hero of Uruguay, and the square’s craft fair started on July 22, 1967. It has grown from a local market to a “must-visit” tourist spot, but despite its popularity with tourists, the vendors are traditional artisans from Uruguay.
Practical Info
The arts and crafts fair at Artigas Square takes place every night during the summer months and only on the weekends during the winter. Artigas Square borders Avenida Gorlero between Calle 25 and Calle 23.
Address: Avenida Gorlero, Punta del Este, Uruguay
From $ 32
Gorlero Avenue
Gorlero Avenue, or Avenida Gorlero, is the main street in the Punta del Este region of Uruguay. It was named after the first mayor of Maldonado, Juan Gorlero, and is the only street in the area that got its name from a person. All other streets are referenced by street number, while avenues are known by their order from 5000 on.
Here you will find a bulk of Punta del Este’s prime tourist businesses, including cafes, restaurants, bars, art galleries, cinemas and casinos. In addition, there are a number of banks and exchange houses. During the summer tourist season, Gorlero Avenue is noted for its numerous live performers and artisans. Look for the “living statues,” jugglers, photographers and various handicraft artists set up along the avenue.
The street was remodeled in 1998 to make it friendlier to pedestrian traffic, so today its sidewalks are wider and lighting and seating are ample.
Practical Info
Gorlero Street is about 10 blocks long and easily walkable. It starts at 31st Street and extends to 15th Street. If you are driving to the area, park on a lateral street and walk the entire stretch.
Address: Avenida Gorlero, Punta del Este, Uruguay
From $ 32