The eastern spit of land separating the Atlantic Ocean from the Rio del la Plata (see this interactive map from Expedia) was once known to sailors and fishermen as Cabo Santa María. Today, called Punta del Este this area is known worldwide as a scenic resort area with miles of beautiful beaches, luxury hotels and restaurants, glittery nightlife and an upscale summer population.
For decades Punta del Este was an exclusive resort for wealthy South Americans, and it is still expensive, but not as much as famed European and US resort areas. The city and resort appeal has attracted multiple governments to hold summit meetings there.
A new casino, more luxurious restaurants and hotels, never ending sports acitivities, plenty of natural attractions, shops, nightclubs and a temperate climate beckon to international travelers. Refer to this interactive map of Punta del Este. The local pines scent the air and add to the sense of relaxation. Check today's weather.
To get to Punta del Este, check flights from your area to Montevideo or other locations in Uruguay. You can also browse for hotels and car rentals.
An hour and a half by car from Montevideo, Punta del Este offers twenty miles of pristine beaches. You'll need a car to visit them all or discover your favorite. Mansa, or gentle beach, is on the bay side, while the one facing the Atlantic is Brava. Photo. These are terrifically crowded during the summer season, which begins in December and ends in March. Locals use other beaches, notably to La Barra del Maldonado, a beautiful inlet that flows from the back bay area of Maldonado out to the Atlantic Ocean. One of the city landmarks are the Dedos, fingers, in the sand at Playa Brava. See this photo and you'll see why.
La Barra is also the center of youth oriented activities, from daytime sports on the fine sandy beach to all night discos. To get to this small village, you cross an unusual bridge shaped like an easy roller coaster. With all the water surrounding Punta del Este, sailing is popular and large marinas attract an international flotilla. Photo and another of the Puerto Buceo Yatch Club Pocitos.
Punta del Este offers a relaxed life style. It is geared to vactioners who get a late morning start. Hotel dining rooms and services may be open before noon, but the rest of the city may not be. Dinner's are late, at 10 PM or later, and discos go until dawn, allowing revelers to see both the sun rise and set over water. The Cipriani Lido at the Cipriani Punta del Este Resort in La Barra is one of the hottest spots in town. Consult this list of hotels for availability, rates, amenities, location, activities and other specific information. Large map.
Attractions
- From Plaza San Fernando, visit the Diligencia de Castells Capurro
- the neo-Classic Catedral San Fernando, dating from 1895 and now an historic monument
- Cuartel de Dragones , military headquarters constructed between 1771 and 1797
- Marco de los Reyes in the Plaza Torre del Vigía. This white and rose marble marker was created in Lisbon in 1753 and erected to mark the division between Spanish and Portuguese holdings in South America according to the 1750 Treaty of Madrid.
Do you have comments or questions about Punta del Este, called the Jewel of Uruguay? If so, post them in the South America for Visitor's Forum.
Do you suppose the residents of St. Tropez refer to it as the Punta del Este of France?
Buen viaje!
(From About.com)
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