Being in Punta del Este, Uruguay, my opinion is that it is the most beautiful beach-city or beach resort in all Latin America. As for natural beauty, I cannot say that it is better than Brazil or the Caribbean. But nowhere else in the world have I seen a more beautiful combination of nature, sea, the rustic of older fishermen-village that once was, and the luxury and beauty of probably the most sophisticated beach resort in South America. The impressiveness of the enormous houses and flats is stunning, but mainly because of the beauty of the design, where the local style demands that houses and buildings are not enclosed by high walls or gates. Privacy just provided by beautiful trees, plants and grass-dunes.
Punta del Este is a destination where the rich can go around freely without the usual fear they feel in their hometowns or bigger cities. Where their children can just walk around, and the only concern is to be careful when they cross the street. Carlos Slim, the Mexican tycoon, is one of the big entrepreneurs that choose to have a house here in order to come spend some weeks vacation in Summer.
Although the locals prefer Autumn, Winter and Spring as the best time in the year because of the tranquility and peace, tourists prefer to go in Summer. But the high season is categorized in three main parts:
- From 1st of January until 15th of January is the most expensive season. This is when the city is more alive by far, and the center of fashion and high-end partying in the continent. The richest tourists go at this time, and the prices are the highest and most expensive.
- From 16th of January until the 31st of January is the second most expensive time to go.
- From February 1st until February 15th would be the third most expensive time.
- From mid December until end of December, and from 16th of February until end of February.
- Beginning of December and March would be the cheapest month from the high season. The rest of the year is not high season anymore.
What to see and visit when you are in Punta del Este?
- On your way to Punta del Este, coming from the West, go through Punta Ballena and enjoy the view from on top, when you pass by car along the road. Then make a short detour taking the exit to the right, and watch the dusk from the sightseeing place at the peninsula of Punta Ballena (this is right before reaching the Laguna del Diario lagoon where Punta del Este is.
- Visit the memorable Casa Pueblo in Punta Ballena. This house belongs and was built by the famous Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró. The name of the house means "town-house", because it's so huge and has been increased during the decades, and looks like a small town itself. The entrance of from the street side, but the most of the house is seen from far away, as it has many levels that are all at the ridge-edge, enjoying one of the best views in the whole area. You can pay a fee and go inside watch the amazing style of the house. Tourists usually go before dusk in order to watch the dusk from there, which is specially amazing.
- Visit the most beautiful and luxurious neighborhoods in the whole continent, and walk or drive through the neighborhoods of San Rafael, Beverly Hills, Cantegril and Pinares.
- Visit the Peninsula, the old Punta del Este, where the first families settled down over a hundred years ago, and founded the Punta del Este that little by little grew into what is now. At the Península you can also see the mark that officially shows where the Río de la Plata ends and where the Atlantic Ocean begins.
- Walk along Gorlero the old-style main street of the center of Punta del Este that runs East-West. The main street keeps the style of olden days, despite the high-end shops that are there.
- On the coast, right in front of the Punta del Este bus terminal, visit the probably most representative sculpture of Punta del Este: "Los Dedos" (the Fingers), which looks like a gigantic hand dug inside the sand, and trying to come out. Or like a drowned man with only half hand out of the water trying to survive in his last effort.
- Drive along the coast all along the Mansa and the Brava, (both sides of the Peninsula).
- Cross the Wave-shaped bridge of La Barra and visit this amazing resort that once was only a fishermen-village. Today it is the center of partying and night-life of all Punta del Este. Visit the many beaches, the forests, the many neighborhoods until José Ignacio, and don't miss the night-lie there.
- At La Barra, don't miss a breakfast or tea-time at "Medialunas Calentitas". Don't miss their local croissants, which arguably are the very best in the region. If you can't find the place, ask anyone in the city and he will know where it is. Today there are several shops, but the very first one is located at "Las Palmas", the old commercial center of La Barra.
- At La Barra (just after the bridge) visit the "Museo del Mar".
- Behind Punta Ballena, visit the Arboretum Lussich, the tree and plants reserve created by one of the founders of the area, and who was also, according to Jorge Luis Borges, the creator of the poetry style called "Poesía Gauchesca". There is also a museum there.
- A few kilometers further from the Arboretum Lussich you can reach the Lapataia, the most famous dairy farm that produces the Dulce de Leche goods and sweets that are so popular in the region. The famous dairy farm, which is also a touristic site where you can go have tea and eat dairy products, belongs to the princess Letitia D'Aremberg, who has been a visionary and entrepreneur in Punta del Este for many decades.
- Near the Peninsula, visit the Hotel Conrad, where the most sophisticated and high-end events take place. You can go have tea there if you are not staying at the hotel, are you can go and see the biggest and finest casino in Latin-America.
- Visit the Museo Rally, where you can also see some productions from Dalí and Picasso.
- Don't miss eating some see food at any of the high-end restaurants that are located near the Yachts harbor. Also, don't miss the Uruguayan beef at some local restaurant.
Punta del Este is a destination where the rich can go around freely without the usual fear they feel in their hometowns or bigger cities. Where their children can just walk around, and the only concern is to be careful when they cross the street. Carlos Slim, the Mexican tycoon, is one of the big entrepreneurs that choose to have a house here in order to come spend some weeks vacation in Summer.
Although the locals prefer Autumn, Winter and Spring as the best time in the year because of the tranquility and peace, tourists prefer to go in Summer. But the high season is categorized in three main parts:
- From 1st of January until 15th of January is the most expensive season. This is when the city is more alive by far, and the center of fashion and high-end partying in the continent. The richest tourists go at this time, and the prices are the highest and most expensive.
- From 16th of January until the 31st of January is the second most expensive time to go.
- From February 1st until February 15th would be the third most expensive time.
- From mid December until end of December, and from 16th of February until end of February.
- Beginning of December and March would be the cheapest month from the high season. The rest of the year is not high season anymore.
What to see and visit when you are in Punta del Este?
- On your way to Punta del Este, coming from the West, go through Punta Ballena and enjoy the view from on top, when you pass by car along the road. Then make a short detour taking the exit to the right, and watch the dusk from the sightseeing place at the peninsula of Punta Ballena (this is right before reaching the Laguna del Diario lagoon where Punta del Este is.
- Visit the memorable Casa Pueblo in Punta Ballena. This house belongs and was built by the famous Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró. The name of the house means "town-house", because it's so huge and has been increased during the decades, and looks like a small town itself. The entrance of from the street side, but the most of the house is seen from far away, as it has many levels that are all at the ridge-edge, enjoying one of the best views in the whole area. You can pay a fee and go inside watch the amazing style of the house. Tourists usually go before dusk in order to watch the dusk from there, which is specially amazing.
- Visit the most beautiful and luxurious neighborhoods in the whole continent, and walk or drive through the neighborhoods of San Rafael, Beverly Hills, Cantegril and Pinares.
- Visit the Peninsula, the old Punta del Este, where the first families settled down over a hundred years ago, and founded the Punta del Este that little by little grew into what is now. At the Península you can also see the mark that officially shows where the Río de la Plata ends and where the Atlantic Ocean begins.
- Walk along Gorlero the old-style main street of the center of Punta del Este that runs East-West. The main street keeps the style of olden days, despite the high-end shops that are there.
- On the coast, right in front of the Punta del Este bus terminal, visit the probably most representative sculpture of Punta del Este: "Los Dedos" (the Fingers), which looks like a gigantic hand dug inside the sand, and trying to come out. Or like a drowned man with only half hand out of the water trying to survive in his last effort.
- Drive along the coast all along the Mansa and the Brava, (both sides of the Peninsula).
- Cross the Wave-shaped bridge of La Barra and visit this amazing resort that once was only a fishermen-village. Today it is the center of partying and night-life of all Punta del Este. Visit the many beaches, the forests, the many neighborhoods until José Ignacio, and don't miss the night-lie there.
- At La Barra, don't miss a breakfast or tea-time at "Medialunas Calentitas". Don't miss their local croissants, which arguably are the very best in the region. If you can't find the place, ask anyone in the city and he will know where it is. Today there are several shops, but the very first one is located at "Las Palmas", the old commercial center of La Barra.
- At La Barra (just after the bridge) visit the "Museo del Mar".
- Behind Punta Ballena, visit the Arboretum Lussich, the tree and plants reserve created by one of the founders of the area, and who was also, according to Jorge Luis Borges, the creator of the poetry style called "Poesía Gauchesca". There is also a museum there.
- A few kilometers further from the Arboretum Lussich you can reach the Lapataia, the most famous dairy farm that produces the Dulce de Leche goods and sweets that are so popular in the region. The famous dairy farm, which is also a touristic site where you can go have tea and eat dairy products, belongs to the princess Letitia D'Aremberg, who has been a visionary and entrepreneur in Punta del Este for many decades.
- Near the Peninsula, visit the Hotel Conrad, where the most sophisticated and high-end events take place. You can go have tea there if you are not staying at the hotel, are you can go and see the biggest and finest casino in Latin-America.
- Visit the Museo Rally, where you can also see some productions from Dalí and Picasso.
- Don't miss eating some see food at any of the high-end restaurants that are located near the Yachts harbor. Also, don't miss the Uruguayan beef at some local restaurant.
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