Visiting Punta del Este Uruguay

Punta del Este is the playground for the jet-set and is known for its beautiful sandy beaches.

Courtesy of vincealongi.com

What to do in Punta del Este?

• Punta del Este offers rentals for boating, jet skiing and windsurfing, just to name a few. La Barra beach is especially popular with those that enjoy not only water sports but fishing as well.

• Museo Ralli is definitely worth a visit while you are in Punta del Este. This wonderful museum’s focus is mainly on the modern arts. Here you can find works of art by world renowned artists such as Salvador Dali, Chagall and Miro. What’s even better is that admission for visitors to the Museo Ralli is absolutely free! If you are on somewhat of a tight budget but you thoroughly enjoy the arts, this is a great place to go.

• The Museo del Mar Sea Museum is a great place for the entire family. Here you can find a wide variety of unique specimens such as whale skeletons and seashells. Also, there is an entire exhibit here that is dedicated exclusively to a pirate theme that is both fun and fascinating.

• A visit to Casa Pueblo -in nearby Punta Ballena- is an absolute must. Designed by the Uruguayan sculptor and painter Carlos Paez Vilaró, Casa Pueblo is considered by many to be a living sculpture. Vilaró originally started working on this sculpture back in 1958 and completed it 36 years later. The wait, however, was well worth it because Casa Pueblo is truly an absolutely stunning work of art. Inside Casa Pueblo, one can view many beautiful ceramics, sculptures and paintings that were created by Vilaró.

Punta Ballena

Getting Around Punta del Este

Most of Punta del Este is situated on a peninsula that juts out into the ocean. Much of the perimeter can be reached by foot, but to get to La Barra o José Ignacio you’ll need a better way to get around. Renting a car is going to be your best option to see all that Punta del Este has to offer.

Buses are an option but they are not very frequent and taxis are quite expensive compared to taxi service in the rest of the country. You’ll notice that hitchhiking is quite common for young people due to the fact that night clubs are some distance apart. Remember that Punta del Este is very safe, but normal precautions should always be taken. Scooters and mopeds can typically be rented for US$10/hour or US$45/day at several places.