The Best 10 Things to do in Punta del Este

The Best 10 Things to do in Punta del Este

Punta del Este is the most important seaside resort in Uruguay, where many travelers come every summer, especially from Argentina, Brazil and Chile. Its central beaches are filled with people looking for fun, good quality of service and sea with waves for surfers.

The main beaches in Punta del Este are La Mansa and Playa Brava but there is much more. Punta del Este is a highly urbanized area, with modern architecture buildings built in front of the sea, shopping malls, restaurants, luxury hotels (Trump Tower hotel is the newcomer to Playa Brava), a casino and several attractions to enjoy after a day at the beach.

Now, affluent Brazilians, Europeans, and Americans continue to buy up homes, fueling a local real-estate boom, and wealthy Argentines are opening wineries, organic–olive oil estates, and dairy farms crafting artisanal cheeses and dulce de leche. The peak social season, from Christmas to mid-January, is quick and frenzied—a whirl of rosé-soaked lunches and glamorous cocktail parties—but both before and after, a leisurely calm prevails here, with the warmth lingering through March.

Just in time for the start of Uruguay’s summer, we recommend the best activities and things to do in Punta del Este.

#1 Take a leisurely bike ride with a local guide

Enjoy the sights as your ride around this famous peninsula’s promenade and beaches. You’ll be guided along safe paths and visit Mansa Beach, where sea lions can often be seen. You’ll also see the city’s symbolic lighthouse, dating back to 1860.

Another highlight, is the Church of Our Lady of the Candelaria, a beautiful sky-blue-and-white Victorian structure as well as Four Seas point, Punta Salina - where a battle between German and British ships took place in 1939. You’ll also see English Beach, Emir Beach, Punta Vapor and the iconic monument known as The Hand. You’ll make stops along the way to allow for photo opportunities.

#2 Run around the peninsula

An excellent way to get to know Punta quickly is to get your running shoes on. The majority of the town is located on a peninsula and, when the sun is shining, there's no better way to spend an hour than by running the paved coastal pathway.

#3 See a wonderful sunrise at Brava Beach (Fierce Beach)

Playa Brava is an uninterrupted stretch of beach for about 5 miles (8 kilometers) along Punta del Este’s Atlantic Ocean coast. It includes paradas (stops) with amenities such as paradores (beach bars) and watersport rentals.

In this beach you will discover public art, rolling waves, surf schools and wonderful sunrises at this family-friendly beach on Punta del Este’s Atlantic coastline.

The medium-sized waves make Brava Beach popular with surfers. At Parada One (the beach’s southernmost point) or Parada Four, rent bodyboards, surfboards and standup paddleboards. Group and individual lessons are also available. If you want to swim, do so between the areas marked by the lifeguards, who patrol the beach from mid-December to mid-March.

#4 Stroll along Mansa beach

Beaches are often named for their principal attributes, and such is the case with Playa Mansa. Mansa means "calm" in Spanish, and the waters are typically placid here, ideal for families with children and swimmers who prefer smooth-as-glass seas over surf's-up breakers. In contrast to another Punta del Este beach, Playa Brava (Fierce Beach), Mansa's water is usually warm, and the soft sands are perfect for a long walk. Plenty of bars and food kiosks will keep you satisfied.

#5 Visit Uruguay Wine country and taste premium Tannat wines

3-uruguay-essential-uruguay-wine-and-culinary

Uruguay has a blossoming wine industry that produces wine of the finest quality. Near Punta del Este there are some family-owned bodegas producing exciting and experimental new blends. You can take a wine tour and taste wines made from the world’s healthiest grape, Tannat, grown in Uruguay. There are many good boutique wineries that produce wines of international recognition such as Vina Eden, Garzon winery, Bodega Alto de la Ballena and Bodega Oceanica in Jose Ignacio. These wineries produce not only Tannat but also Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sirah that have been rated highly by several important critics.

#6 Buy Fresh seafood and have a drink at the harbor (a must-do!)

One of the highlights for us in Punta is strolling along the working harbor. Fishermen gut, scale and slice the catch of the day, sea-lions mooch around trying to get some left-overs, albatrosses swoop down upon you whilst the boats of millionaires float next to battered fishing vessels.

Visit during the morning or afternoon and, as well as enjoying the atmosphere, you'll be able to pick up some excellent fresh shrimp, scallops or fish for lunch. There are also a number of restaurants dotted along the harbor where you can enjoy a lunch deal in the sun, or just settle for a glass of local wine with a beautiful view.

#7 Play Golf at the best Golf Clubs of Uruguay

Take a break and enjoy the best and most exclusive golf courses in Uruguay. Cantegril Golf club (considered the best golf course in Punta del Este) and Club del Lago’s golf course (baptized by master Roberto de Vicenzo as “La Augusta de Sudamérica,”) have a driving range, putting green, electric cars, golf clubs rental, a pro-shop and a snack bar overlooking holes 9 and 18. Club del Lago Golf Course offers a unique topography with three circuits of golf in 20 holes, that allow 3 different circuits.

Ideas specializes in tailor making exceptional golf tours, creating golf travel packages to suit your individual requirements and budget. With Ideas golf tour, everything is covered from the moment you arrive.

Contact our Golf Specialists and they will help you plan a golf tour customized for you.

#8 – Be a polo player for a day!

Learn how to play polo and discover the secrets of one of the most exclusive sports in the world. It is not necessary to know how to ride a horse, nor do you have to have previous experience in polo. You will learn how to ride a horse, hold the mallet and hit the ball. You will end up sharing a mini polo match that will make you feel like a professional player!

#9- Visit Casapueblo in Punta Ballena

Casapueblo is internationally known as one of the most awe-inspiring and eccentric buildings Uruguay has to offer. Located in Punta Ballena ( a short ride to Punta del Este), this was the home of Uruguyan architect Carlos Páez Vilaró. This eye-catching structure is now a modern art museum filled with the late artist work. (Died in 2014). Supposedly Vilaro built this structure in shapes reminiscent of seashells along the beach. This place is truly stunning.

#10- Visit an unique Art Museum and Sculpture Park

One of Uruguay’s best-known artists, sculptor Pablo Atchugarry, runs a museum, gallery, and sculpture park on 62 acres in El Chorro, north of the beachfront town of Manantiales. Temporary exhibitions occupy the lofty, sunlit gallery at the foundation’s entrance; its permanent collection of works by Atchugarry and other artists fills another space behind the main workshop, spilling out onto the sculpture park’s expansive greens.

One last thing…

For this list to be complete, we must mention its people. Uruguay’s mild climate seems to have shaped the character of its native people. In this sense, the kindness and warmth of Uruguayans, and the excellent service infrastructure the country offers, make visiting this beautiful location an even more pleasant experience.

Planning a trip to Punta del Este?

Reach out to our Trip Specialists for a free consultation. We are glad to help you design a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Punta del Este.

José Ignacio, Uruguay / Relaxed getaway

José Ignacio, Uruguay / Relaxed getaway

Beginning in November and running through February, Uruguay’s José Ignacio transforms from a sleepy fishing village into a buzzing haven for surfers and international jet-setters swapping their winters for South America’s summer season. It’s a lively and social scene indeed, but for those seeking a quieter, smooth respite from the stresses of urban life, it’s still very possible to enjoy this popular coastal destination while keeping a low profile. From a secret beach club on a secluded island to a yoga studio with massage therapy on the menu, here are some ways to relish in José Ignacio’s more laid-back offerings.

Stay: Bahia Vik

Flanked by two beaches on either side, José Ignacio is a tip of land that pokes out into the ocean. Brava Beach, known for its tremendous waves and ideal surfing conditions, makes it a popular destination for beachgoers. Just a five-minute walk across the peninsula is Mansa Beach, Brava’s sleepy, less raucous counterpart—and the better side for sunset views. Visitors seeking anonymity and a more intimate hotel experience away from the madding crowd will find sanctuary at two-year-old Bahia Vik. Comprising a main guesthouse and 11 private bungalows overlooking Mansa Beach, each dwelling is uniquely designed, both inside and out, using different materials such as wood, steel, and black zinc.


Around sunset, most guests flock to the hotel’s restaurant, La Susana, a breezy, cabana-style setup situated just off to the side of the property, where locals and visitors come together over fresh ceviche and the spectacular vistas.

Relax: The Shack Yoga

Locals, expats, and in-the-know visitors drop by this airy, beautifully soothing yoga studio for its popular open-level Vinyasa-style classes (Hamptons regulars may already be familiar with its Bridgehampton location). For an even more relaxing take on bodywork, make an appointment for a deep-tissue or Shiatsu massage, or perhaps a Reiki treatment.

Eat: El Mostrador de Santa Teresita

This stylish breakfast and lunch counter offering delicious and wholesome seasonal salads and daily seafood specials has a tendency to fill up during afternoon hours, but its off-beach location inherently lends a quieter, more laid-back feel.

Corner of Las Garzas and Las Calandrias, José Ignacio, Maldonado, Uruguay

Eat: Parador La Caracola

An afternoon-turned-evening at this remote beach club situated on a petite island is one of José Ignacio’s more special and exclusive experiences: The exact address is emailed after reservations are booked, and transportation involves taking a private boat (provided by your hosts). Once you’ve arrived, relax with a glass of the signature white wine sangria and a fantastic spread of tapas, salads, and grilled fish and enjoy feeling like you’re thousands of miles from civilization.

Eat: Namm

Commonly known as the “tree house,” this Asian-influenced restaurant serves up fresh sashimi and sushi alongside traditional Uruguayan meats and seafood dishes, and is tucked away in a forest on the edge of town—and unless you’ve been there before, don’t be surprised if you get lost trying to locate it. The rustic open-air bamboo and teak dining room, with its hanging lanterns and flickering glow of candlelight, really does feel like an aloft hideaway (and you’ll be thankful it’s not an easy spot for crowds to find).

Ruta 10 at approximately kilometer 185, José Igancio, Maldonado, Uruguay

Eat: Ferona Social Club

The gastronomic entrepreneur Fernando Gómez, the artist Guillermina Banfi and the chef Richard Guadalupe changed the course of their Ferona cocktail bar to set up a kitchen-grill in the garden, an art and clothing fair, and a small barbecue where Vaipa, the bartender, serve drinks. After 5 pm, in addition, he plays a live band.

The menu was inspired by the still life, with small plates made with local products. The focaccia bread basket with fried egg, the cause of mussels and the braised lamb empanadas made with homemade dough stand out.

Albatros y Las Toninas, La Juanita.

Eat: Marismo

Not too far from Namm is this restaurant, beloved among chic locals and those in the know. At Marismo, a secluded candlit setting, you’ll dine alfresco in the most literal sense: There’s nothing but the moon and stars overhead and the sand beneath one’s feet. Chefs cook everything—meat, seafood, vegetables—on wood-fire grills in the style of a traditional South American asado, while guests meander between tables and the scattered campfires.

Ruta 10 at approximately kilometer 185, José Ignacio, Maldonado, Uruguay

Eat: Chiringuito

Inspired by the French beaches of Biarritz of yesteryear, Francis Mallmann returned to the José Ignacio lighthouse with a chiringuito, a beach stand to have lunch or spend the day. Shaded chairs, tents and comfort on the sand are part of the hallmark of this new space created within the real estate development Costa Garzón, by Alejandro Bulgheroni.

Flowers, the perfume of the sea and a relaxed and attentive service are also part of Mallmann’s charm. On the menu are beach drinks and wines from Bodega Garzón. From the kitchen, the steak eye burger and smoked bacon stand out in a homemade milk bread and a bowl of cream ice cream with red fruits made at the moment.

Ruta 10 km 185.5, 20402

 

Note that..

 

  • By protocol, the number of guests allowed has been reduced and, as a consequence, there are also fewer waiters. This situation is a reality in all restaurants and requires a team that compensates for the absence with good energy, and a relaxed and understanding diner.
  • The tables feature elegant jars of alcohol gel.
  • Do not fill yourself with the bread basket, the fish are one of the strengths of La Susana.
  • Marcelo Betancourt, executive chef of Vik Retreats, was one of the first cooks in the East to bet on organic products, his vegetables are some of the best in the area.

Take a Ride: Horseback Riding at Estancia Vik

You don’t have to be a guest at Estancia Vik, a sprawling property under the same ownership as Bahia Vik, to relish in its breathtaking views on horseback. Just a 10-minute drive inland transports you from the beach to a magnificent ranch house surrounded by fields and mountains, with gauchos waiting at the stable to lead you on a ride.

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