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For information about neighborhoods and vicinity:
General Information Founded as a fishermen village in 1907, Punta del Este has become an internationally renowned summer resort, a favorite getaway of Argentineans, Brazilians, Paraguayans, and, increasingly, Europeans and North Americans. Beautiful white-sand beaches, world-class hotels and restaurants, inexhaustible nightlife, and a variety of outdoor activities give Punta del Este (nicknamed Punta) a solid reputation as the playground of the “rich and famous.” Spend the day in the water, in the afternoon savor the delicious local cuisine in one of the many budget or highbrow restaurants, in the evening join the nightlife revelry. Entertainment is non-stop, going up and down the coast from Punta to José Ignacio. Follow the crowd or find privacy in one of the endless beaches. Punta invites healthy activity during the high season and relaxed pleasure when the crowd returns home. With the high season over, the city becomes tranquil. Since the summer months extend nearly half the year, there is ample opportunity for communion with the surrounding natural beauty. This relaxed lifestyle has inspired many to settle in Punta. Businessmen, artists, architects, authors and hospitality workers keep the community going off-season. Punta del Este city sits on a peninsula that juts out where the Rio de la Plata joins the Atlantic Ocean. The west side of the resort town is referred to as the Playa Mansa. The beaches on this side are protected from the rough tides and winds of the ocean. During the winter, approaching March, orcas and humpback whales find their way into the Rio de la Plata bay, just off the beach, to feed on the rich aquatic life. They can be spotted best from Punta Ballena. On the eastern side of Punta, known as Playa Brava, the Atlantic Ocean pounds the beaches that extend north all the way to Brazil, a four hour drive. On the Atlantic side, up the coast lie three towns, part of the aggregate community. La Barra, Manantiales, and José Ignacio, ocean-side villages, have become summer resorts outside Punta del Este. The miles-long beaches that join them offer solitude and privacy. Punta has grown out from the peninsula and now merges with the nearby city Maldonado. The oldest buildings, a mix of colonial, Victorian, and Tudor architecture, evolved into modern comfortable housing as neighborhoods were established inland. The buildup during the last part of the 20th century was along the coast in the nearby towns, where an eclectic mix of modern architecture prevails. The homes are built to last, made of concrete, cement, and stucco, many with old exposed wood beams and enclosed patios. In the last few years, talented young architects have moved to Punta to join the building boom. ÇBack to top
Attractions The Lussich Arboretum extends over 2,000 hectares northwest of Punta. It was the property of Antonio Lussich, a poet and successful ship salvage businessman. Over 100 years ago, he planted a forest of exotic tree species collected from five different continents. The forest grew beyond everyone’s expectations and now features birch, carob trees, 200 species of eucalyptus, bamboo, elm, magnolia, and maples interspersed with local trees. It is considered by some the seventh most important forest of its kind in the world. His residence, a colonial home, has been turned into a museum managed by the municipality. The house is open to visitors, and a stroll below the forest will delight any naturalist. Guided tours are available. It is free and open to the public from 8 am to 8 pm during the summer and 9 am to 6 pm in the winter.
Casapueblo is located near the arboretum on a rock bluff in Punta Ballena. This white whimsical building is the inspired dream of Uruguayan artist Carlos Paez Vilaró, who said he wanted to create a sculpture big enough for him and his friends to live in. It has become one of the tourist symbols of Punta del Este. The complex has grown to incorporate a club/hotel, the older residence is a private art museum open to the public.
Isla de Lobos, the sea lions’ lair, is visible from the tip of the Punta peninsula. Discovered in 1516, it became the exclusive hunting grounds of the king of Spain. Sea lions were harvested for pelts and meat up until 1996 when this practice was banned by international conventions. Now a favored tourist attraction, this colony of sea lions and southern fur seals is one of the largest in South America. Tours to the island are organized several times daily from the Punta harbor, though restrictions prevent landing and strolls amongst the animals. In the early morning, before embarking on a tour, watch these wild ocean mammals feed on fish scraps tossed by the local fishermen at the embarkation site.
Tambo “El Sosiego” Lapataia is a working dairy and petting zoo, this popular attraction caters to families on a rainy day. The tambo (dairy) produces the famous and very sweet dulce de leche Lapataia. This caramel-like delicacy is a favorite sweet in South America. Here it is served in pancakes, ice cream, and the ubiquitous Alfajores. During January Lapataia hosts an international jazz festival now in its 12th year. Famous musicians from 21 countries have participated in this three-day festival. ÇBack to top
Uruguayan art is surprisingly good and inexpensive compared to international standards. The introspective disposition of the native character seems to nurture a healthy artistic and creative inclination. Uruguay is known for its painters. Many are still influenced by the master Joaquín Torres García, a pioneer of South American modern art, whose work is characterized for a subdued palette and geometric designs.
Galleries dot the landscape like mushrooms. The trendiest ones are located in La Barra and José Ignacio. Trench Gallery, Galería Sur and Galería de Las Misiones with a stylish building in José Ignacio are worth visiting. Several artists make their home in Punta and generally open their studios to the public. Museo Ralli and Museo Casapueblo are private collections turned museum, both sit on the outskirt of town.
Many hotel choices are available from economy to luxury. Two casino hotels offer some of the most luxurious accommodations, the Conrad in Punta and the Mantra in La Barra. As with most resorts, hotels fill up during the peak season, and room prices fluctuate depending on demand. It is advisable to make reservations for the summer season well in advance.
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Punta peninsula neck
Punta view from Playa Brava
Punta Peninsula and Puerto
Punta Centro
Detail Lussich colonial home
Casapueblo
Casapueblo (detail)
Galería de las Misiones garden, José Ignacio |
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