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Punta Del Este - neighbohoods
Centro/Peninsula Downtown Punta del Este is the main commercial area located in the old part of the city, the original settlement on the tip of the peninsula. The main attractions are traditional mansions, a boulevard that wraps around the peninsula, La Rambla, offering unparallel views of the ocean, and the harbor where modern yachts and local fishermen’s boats tie up. Here you can see the friendly harbor mascot, a fully-grown sea lion, who comes to feed on fish scraps. Several beaches line the peninsula, like El Emir, Playa de los Ingleses on the east side, Las Mesitas and Muelle de Mailos, on the west side, all within walking distance of restaurants, cafes, and designer boutiques. An easy bicycle ride gets you just about anywhere in this area.
This zone parallels the Playa Mansa - it faces the sunset. Protected from the Atlantic winds by the peninsula, this beach has a milder climate and calm waters, and is therefore favored by families with small children. The area has apartment buildings and many homes with lush secluded gardens. It is a quiet neighborhood, yet not too distant downtown.
San Rafael, El Golf, and Cantegril This residential zone is shaded by eucalyptus and pine trees. Large homes with expansive, manicured gardens spot the neighborhood. It has an “old world” appearance, for many of these homes have had the same owners for three generations. The oldest country club in Punta, Cantegril Country Club, is located here. It is open year round, offering golf, pool, tennis, and equestrian sports. The neighborhood is situated a few blocks from the beach on the Playa Brava. So named for the best location to spot whales entering the Rio de Plata estuary, it lies northwest of Punta del Este. For the most part, this neighborhood of large single family homes is adorned by pine and eucalyptus trees. Home to the Lussich Arboretum and Casapueblo, this rock bluff is the highest promontory near Punta. It is also used by hand gliders during the summer months and is witness to spectacular sunsets.
The neighborhood of Pinares is named after the pine tree forest characteristic of this area. Favored by Uruguayans from the capital city (Montevideo), it is secluded and quiet. The beach faces the Mansa side of Punta. Pinares consists mainly of houses or chalets, as they like to call them in Punta del Este; there are few apartment buildings. The neighborhood is generally more economical than others, such as La Barra or José Ignacio.
Garnished by immense and luxurious villas and mansions, this neighborhood, located in the western periphery of Punta, is removed from the beach. Homes sit in huge gardens; structural details peeking through thick green cover hint at the style and size of the home within. The private Foundation Museum Ralli dedicated to contemporary Latin American artists is located here.
Rincón del Indio The last neighborhood before crossing the undulating bridge to La Barra, Rincón del Indio extends from Parada 22 on the Playa Brava side, until the Maldonado creek. Overlooking the beautiful wavy beaches on the Atlantic Ocean, and protected by an extensive barrier of dunes, modern luxury condominium buildings and single-family homes with expansive gardens characterize this area. The proximity both to La Barra and downtown Punta del Este strategically places this neighborhood in an ideal location. Çtop
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Punta lighthouse
Peninsula from the bay
view from Punta harbor
Modern Punta - View from Playa Mansa
Sunset over Punta
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