Places / South America / Uruguay
Punta del Este
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At a glance
- Country
- Uruguay
- Region
- Maldonado
- Population
- 10,000
- Best time to go
- December to March
- Main airport
- Laguna del Sauce (PDP)
- Coordinates
- 34.97°S, 54.95°W
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Overview
Punta del Este juts out on a narrow peninsula where the Río de la Plata meets the Atlantic. On one side lies the calm Playa Mansa, on the other the surf of Playa Brava.
In January it becomes South America's summer playground, full of Argentine and Brazilian holidaymakers, beach clubs and late nights. Outside the season it's sleepy and many places close, but the beaches and sunsets are just as good.
Things to see
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Photo: Duncan Cumming duncan, CC-BY-2.5 La Mano
Giant concrete fingers rising from the sand of Playa Brava, the resort's best-known photo stop.
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Photo: Talkingheads, CC BY-SA 3.0 Casapueblo
Artist Carlos Páez Vilaró's whitewashed, Mediterranean-style home and gallery clinging to the cliffs of Punta Ballena.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Fedelop, CC BY-SA 4.0 The port
Yachts, fishing boats and sea lions waiting for scraps at the fish stalls on the peninsula's tip.
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Photo: mriaco ( NaBUru38's mother), CC BY 3.0 Playa Mansa
The sheltered, gentler beach on the bay side, best for swimming and watching the sunset.
Things to do
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Photo: Jimmy Baikovicius from Montevideo, Uruguay, CC BY-SA 2.0 Boat trip to Isla de Lobos
Sail out to an island home to one of the largest sea lion colonies in the region.
Find tours -
Photo: Marcelo Campi, CC BY-SA 3.0 Sunset at Casapueblo
The terrace fills up at dusk for the view across the water, often with a short reading as the sun goes down.
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Photo: GiFontenelle, CC BY-SA 4.0 Visit José Ignacio
A low-key, upmarket fishing village along the coast, known for its lighthouse and beach restaurants.
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Photo: Wilfredor, CC0 Surf at La Barra
Across the wave-shaped bridge, La Barra has surf beaches, galleries and a more bohemian feel.
Where to stay
The Peninsula
Walkable to the port, beaches and restaurants. Practical, though busy in high season.
Hotels in The PeninsulaLa Barra
Bars, boutiques and surf beaches, popular with a younger crowd.
Hotels in La BarraJosé Ignacio
Quiet, stylish and expensive, for those who want to escape the crowds.
Hotels in José Ignacio
Getting around
Local buses link the peninsula with La Barra and Punta Ballena, but a car or bike makes it easier to explore the coast. Taxis are widely available in summer.
Laguna del Sauce airport is about 20 minutes from the peninsula by road. Buses from Montevideo take around two hours.
When to go
High season runs from late December to February, peaking in January, when everything is open and busy. March and early December are calmer and still warm. Winter is quiet, cool and windy.
Plan your trip to Punta del Este
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.