Punta del Este Uruguay Tourism & Travel Information Hotels Tours Airport Transfers

Punta del Este					Uruguay

Punta del Este Travel Information

Punta del Este, Maldonado, La Barra & Jose Ignacio

Punta del Este includes the city of Punta del Este, La Barra, Maldonado, Punta Ballena & Jose Ignacio. (see map) This area receives a permanent inflow of foreign tourists mainly from Argentina & Brazil. Young people get together here every summer to enjoy a busy agenda of friends, discos, sports and events.

Punta del Este is famous for its night life. Discos, restaurants, bars & casinos are open all night long and it is common to visit several places during the night out. (see customer reviews)

Punta del Este is mostly built on a peninsula which divides the Atlantic Ocean and Rio de la Plata. A coastal avenue offer magnificent panoramic views of both sides (see pictures).

Maldonado is the county capital, with low rise construction and a quiet atmosphere that contrasts with Punta del Este skyline. Its location away from the beaches has preserved the city from fast development.

Punta Ballena is located 8 km west from Punta del Este. Its rocky beaches are not very popular with the exception of Chiringo, one of the busiest beach stations

La Barra has smaller, secluded beaches with a residential area of large houses and woods. Families prefer here because it offer a good combination of privacy during the day and several discos, bars, restaurants and pubs for the night.

Jose Ignacio is on the western extreme of Punta del Este. Its lighthouse is a landmark of the city and its Mansa and Brava beaches are also very well known spots. The area is also quiet and not too crowded during the day.

Punta del Este Hotels

Punta del Este hotels are mainly high and mid priced with categories ranging from superior 5 stars to modest 3 stars. Most hotels are located in the downtown area or close to the beaches.

Tourists seeking a quiet atmosphere should consider renting a house in José Ignacio or even Maldonado. Prices can be very high but their quality and infrastructure are generally very good.

Apartments are another good option in terms of comfort and location. The best buildings are located close to the beach and offer excellent panoramic views of the peninsula.

Punta del Este Tours

Punta del Este tours focus on beach and water activities, such as surf, jet ski and fishing. There are also several good areas for walking, jogging and biking.

Bikini & Manantiales are the best known beach stations - Paradores - where volley, gym, and beach sports mix with beauty contests, table games and drinks.

Most Paradores in Punta del Este have infrastructure: food, drinks, chairs, bathrooms and so on.

Maldonado has several public buildings around Plaza San Fernando: the Cathedral, Torre del Vigía and Paseo de San Fernando. There are shops along Sarandi Street.

Airport Transfer & Car Rental in Punta del Este

Airport transfer in Punta del Este is available from Laguna del Sauce (local airport) or the Carrasco Internacional Airport in Montevideo (130 km). There are domestic and regional flights connecting both airports with Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo.

There is a Buquebus ferry connecting Buenos Aires with Colonia del Sacramento (1 hour) and Montevideo (2.5 hours). Both options require bus transfer to Punta del Este.

Buses depart from Maldonado & Punta del Este to main cities of Uruguay, Argentina & Brazil.

Car rental in Punta del Este is recommended for tourists willing to visit the region or Montevideo since taxis are very expensive. Bikes and motorcycles can be hired to get around the city.

Tourist Information in Punta del Este

Tourist Information in Punta del Este can be obtained at Liga de Fomento y Turismo, on Calle 31 -Parada 1 in La Mansa beach - or at the Centro de Información Turística on Gorlero and 25th Street.

Punta del Este gets very crowded between Christmas and early February, causing hotel overbooking and long lines at restaurants, bars and attractions. We recommend avoiding this time of the year if possible (see Packages).

Punta del Este is one of the most expensive destinations in Latin America for hotels, restaurants and living expenses.