Punta del Este is a glamorous upscale beach resort jutting out on a small peninsula at the southern tip of Uruguay.
A stroll along the oceanfront promenade, Rambla Williman, reveals many unspoilt beaches scaling two opposing coastlines. Playa Mansa traces the calmer waterfront of Rio de la Plata while the sand dunes of Playa Brava are lashed by Atlantic Ocean waves, favoured mostly by surfers.
Most of the elite and well-heeled from South America descend upon the yacht marina at Playa Mansa before heading to the exclusive town of La Barra to lounge on Bikini Beach, closely pursued by a fleet of paparazzi. The small fishing village of Jose Ignacio is a quieter and more scenic alternative, nestled along the Ruta 10 beyond La Barra on Playa Brava. Partially submerged in the sand at Playa de los Dedos is an enormous hand sculpture, ‘Monumento al Ahogado’, a stark warning to swimmers of the strong currents that yield from there-on eastwards.
The small island of Gorriti lies just offshore with deserted beaches and a pine-clad interior beside the remains of an 18th-century fortress. A further boat ride away leads to Isla de Lobos, home to a large colony of sea lions that welcome visitors with an enthusiastic barrage of deafening barks. Other nautical activities here include fishing, surfing and sailing or for those preferring land-based interests, a number of 18-hole golf courses are dotted in and around Punta del Este.
Snaking dramatically through the peninsula, Gorlero Avenue is lined with numerous galleries, restaurants and designer boutiques to keep even the most earnest shopper entertained. Furthermore, an evening stroll around the Feria Hippie craft market on Plaza Artigas offers a superb myriad of jewellery, crafts and leather goods at which to marvel.
Our classic self-drive route through Uruguay unveils the highlights of this often-overlooked nation. From strolling the old dockside markets of Montevideo to cheese and wine pairing in Carmelo, we can curate a fully-tailored trip bursting with extraordinary experiences.
Navigate between sleepy fishing villages and traditional estancias, roam colonial towns, sip your way around vineyards and stroll along the Atlantic.
Embark on a private journey through the highlights of Uruguay, travelling along the nation’s southern coast between the eclectic capital of Montevideo and tiny hamlets without electricity. One of the underdogs of the South American culinary scene, Uruguay boasts world-class wine, delicious olive oils and artisan cheeses that can be sampled whilst exploring its traditional estancias, colonial towns and striking coastlines.
A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.
It wasn’t part of the script, career plans were quite different but after four global trips visiting such exciting destinations, travel became a passion that eventually led to me entering the industry. The more I have travelled the greater the desire has been to see and do more.
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