Punta del Este is a coastal town in Uruguay and is often mentioned by Argentines and Uruguayans alike as a place to go in the summer to get away from the city life of Buenos Aires or Montevideo. This town is located where the Rio de la Plata (the river that both of these cities are on) empties into the Atlantic Ocean. As a result, some of the best things to do in Punta del Este include exploring the beaches that line the river or the ocean where you can relax and catch some sunshine while in South America.
Punta del Este is a summer vacation town for people in the region, especially from Brazil or Argentina. During other seasons, the town has few full-time residents. (This means that if you visit during the off season, the town will feel emptier and you may find some shops with shorter hours. However, after Christmas, every high-rise condominium fills with families and friends, looking to take advantage of these world class beaches, the sunshine, and the various things to do in Punta del Este that attract visitors from all over the world.
A 4 Day Itinerary with the Top Things to Do in Punta del Este
This is an example itinerary for those who want to spend around 4 days exploring the best things to do in Punta del Este. Obviously, if you want to spend more days relaxing at the beach, extend the itinerary or remove some of days of exploring the area.
Day
Evening
Day 1
Arrive in Punta del Este
Walk around the town of Punta del Este
Watch the sunset at either Los Dedos de Punta del Este or the Muelle de Mailhos
Day 2
Spend the whole day at one of the beaches in Punta del Este, either on the river side or the ocean side of the town
Head to CasaPueblo in the late afternoon to explore the unique house and watch the sunset
Day 3
Spend the whole day visiting the small town of Jose Ignacio
Day 4
Depart Punta del Este or check out some of the other activities to do in the town including swimming with sea lions or visiting Isla Gorriti
Logistics for Discovering the Top Things to Do in Punta del Este
How is Punta del Este organized?
There are three sections to Punta del Este:
- Playa Mansa: This is the beach and coast towards the west of the town. It is on the river (although the water here mixes with the ocean) and is typically a calm beach area.
- Playa Brava: This is the beach and coast towards the east of the town. It is on the Atlantic Ocean and while the water here may be rougher and have more waves, you will still find many people who are confident swimmers refreshing themselves in the water.
- The Peninsula: This is where the concentration of restaurants, bars, and shopping of the town is located and is between Playa Mansa and Playa Brava.
Where to Stay
The town itself is relatively small, with a large concentration of restaurants located on the peninsula between the river and the ocean. You will want to stay along one of these coasts but close to the peninsula. A 20-minute walk is easy in this town so try to map your accommodation options to determine how far they are from the concentration of restaurants in the peninsula. There are a number of hotels, hostels, and short-term rentals available. Another thing to look for with your accommodation is beach service. It is very common that condos and hotels provide beach chairs and umbrellas for use on the beach.
Where and What to Eat in Punta del Este
The majority of restaurants are located on the peninsula in Punta del Este. You will find an assortment of variety, including pizza spots, cafes, and fancy restaurants. Because you are on a coast, the seafood in this town is very good and you can often find fish and shellfish at many restaurants in the area.
Besides seafood, the traditional food in this area includes milanesa (breaded and pounded chicken or steak), chivito, (a sandwich with steak, ham, egg, lettuce, tomato, and mayonaise – you can learn more about it here), and parrilla (barbeque meat). The cafes also have a number of pastries and cakes that are delicious. Do not skip out on the popular Uruguay treats with dulce de leche or delicious gelato.
How to Get to Punta del Este
From Buenos Aires
You will take the ferry + bus combination through Buquebus or Colonia Express.
From Colonia del Sacramento or Montevideo
You will take a bus. If you are not in Montevideo, you will have to take a bus to Montevideo and transfer to a second one to get to Punta del Este
From Anywhere Else
You will fly into Montevideo and take a bus through a bus company directly from the airport. You can purchase this ticket online only when you land in Montevideo so you do not have to worry about delays. (There is wifi at the airport.)
Renting a Car to Visit the Various Things to do in Punta del Este
It is possible to appreciate and see the area without renting a car. However, if you are looking to go to some beach towns further from the crowds of Punta del Este, we would recommend renting a car for a few days. If you want to rent a car, you can do it directly in Punta del Este or in Montevideo or Colonia del Sacramento when you arrive there. There are a number of international companies in the town as well as some smaller local options to rent from.
Day 1: Things to Do in Punta de Este, the Town
It will take you some time to get to Punta del Este, no matter where you are coming from. We recommend spending the day walking around the town where you will find a number of shops that range from boutique to luxury. There are a few things to do in Punta del Este that highlight the town which you can see on this day or spread them out throughout your stay.
Punta de la Salina
This is the tip of the peninsula and the point where the river officially flows into the ocean. You can visibly see the merging of the two bodies of water. This is a great place to start a nice walk along the water from this point towards either side of the peninsula. You can walk along the coast and see the skyline or homes that line the coast. It’s a nice way to see the region and breath in the fresh coastal air.
Puerto de Punta del Este
On the peninsula is the official port and dock for the town. It is a working port for fishermen and you can buy some incredibly fresh seafood here. You can also see some seals waiting near these fish vendors for treats and scraps. The old red fishing boats docked in the water make for some beautiful photos. You can also walk through the docks and see the boats and yachts of the area.
Los Dedos de Punta del Este (Sunset destination)
We recommend visiting the Dedos de Punta del Este around sunset. This is when you will see the fewest number of people here because the cruise ship visitors will have returned to their ship. This large concrete sculpture is painted in the same color as the surrounding sand, making it look like fingers emerging from the sand. It is one of the most famous landmarks in the area and often one of the first photos that comes up when you search this destination.
Muelle de Mailhos (Sunset destination)
This is a small concrete dock that protrudes out into the river. Because of the direction it is facing, it is one of the best locations in Punta del Este to see the sunset. Find a seat on the dock or on the shore and watch the sun fall below the horizon. After the sun sets, find a restaurant in the area for a nice seafood dinner. This is one of the best things to do in Punta del Este on a beautiful summer evening.
Day 2: A Relaxing Beach Day
For the second day of exploring the top things to do in Punta de Este, you will take the day to relax and enjoy the incredible beaches that Uruguay has to offer. These are some large world-class beaches and you cannot go wrong with the side of Punta del Este that you choose to visit.
If your accommodations do not come with beach service, try to rent beach chairs and an umbrella in town. (Many condos and beachside hotels have a beach service that includes chairs and umbrellas. You can look into this when you reserve you accommodations for Punta del Este. The sun is really strong in this part of the world, so at the minimum, do not forget your sunscreen! You can always buy some at any pharmacy in town.
The Blueprint Travelers Beach Staples
CasaPueblo
Two hours before sunset, make your way to Casapueblo. Casapueblo is an architectural beauty designed by artist, Carlos Páez Vilaró. This is one of the top things to do in Punta del Este as its striking architecture along the water offers amazing sunsets. You can hire a cab to take you there but you should also ask them to return after sunset to pick you up. It will be hard to get an Uber to pick you up from there.
Casapueblo will get crowded, so getting there early will ensure you a spot to watch the sunset. If you are lucky, you can try to get a seat at the café patio. Otherwise, there are other spots where you can stand to watch. You can always get a drink from the bar and enjoy it anywhere in the building. During the sunset, a poem written and recorded by the artist is played. It is a dedication to the sun and its departure during the sunset. You can purchase tickets in advance here.
The entry fee includes a small video about the artist who built this amazing structure (subtitled in English) and a small museum of his artwork. He built the whimsical structure of the building himself to accommodate the growing number of guests who wanted to visit him, this destination, and later his home.
If you want to take photos of the architecture and design of this place with fewer crowds, wait a few minutes after the sunset ceremony. People will try to leave the terrace as quickly as possible and you will have all the views you want for the next 30 minutes before the building closes.
Part of Casapueblo is a beautiful hotel that you can stay at. It has large sprawling grounds and a restaurant where you can privately reserve a table to watch the sunset as a hotel guest.
Day 3: Jose Ignacio
For your third day exploring the things to do in Punta del Este, you will head to a nearby beach town that is much smaller than Punta del Este, Jose Ignacio. While you can get there by bus (read about how to navigate the buses in Punta del Este here), the bus schedule can be infrequent and you would have much more flexibility and independence if you rent a car to explore this quaint beach town. This is also a great town to stay in if you are visiting the area and want a more secluded beach getaway.
If you choose to take the bus, you leave from the main bus station in Punta del Este and will take about an hour to get to Jose Ignacio. On your route there, you will go over Puente de la Barra, a unique bridge shaped in a few waves. There are a few towns between Punta del Este that have beautiful beaches as well. You can always stop at these towns (La Barra and Manantiales) as well to explore them and see their beaches and take in the coastal vibe of Uruguay.
Jose Ignacio has two beaches, similarly to Punta del Este. Playa Brava is the beach with rougher waves but it is a large, expansive beach. This is the more popular beach for people to hang out on because of its size. On the other side of Jose Ignacio is Playa Mansa, a calmer beach. It is much smaller and more secluded than Playa Brava. Unlike the beaches of Punta del Este, Jose Ignacio has few restaurants and cafes to try, making it a great town for those looking for a beach vacation escape.
After your day at the beach and exploring the town, head back to Punta del Este, either by bus or car.
Day 4+: Departure
This is a condensed itinerary to visit this area and see the various things to do in Punta del Este. You can, of course, spend as many days as you want at the beach and there are other beaches in the area that you can explore and visit. You can read more about some of the other activities to do in the area below.
After you’ve had the chance to relax and rejuvenate yourself at the beach, it is unfortunately time to leave. If you are leaving by bus, you will return to the main bus station to wait for your bus.
Other Things To Do in Punta del Este
The itinerary above is how we suggest spending a long weekend in this beautiful destination. However, if you have more time, there are a few other activities and locations that you can add onto your itinerary of different things to do in Punta del Este and beyond to help round out your trip to your satisfaction:
Punta del Diablo (2 days)
In order to go to enjoy Punta del Diablo, we recommend staying overnight to get the most out of the destination. It is three hours away from Punta del Este and, while it is accessible by bus, it may be easier to go there with a car.
Because Punta del Diablo is further from Montevideo, it will be much quieter than Punta del Este. On the way, you can stop at Cabo Polonia, a town that is extremely sustainable and has no electricity. Enjoy taking in the nature that surrounds you, and because these towns are much smaller and further from large cities, you will have great views of the stars without light pollution.
Swimming with Sea Lions (1 day)
If you are more interested in some adventure and wildlife spotting, you can take a tour through the waters near Punta del Este and snorkel with sea lions in the area. Some companies simply approach the animals and allow you to interact with them from the boat and some will help you get into the water with them.
Isla Gorriti (1 Day)
Just off of the shores of Punta del Este is a small island, Isla Gorriti. There are ferries that can take you to the island directly from the town, which has some small beaches and will allow you to have a great view of Punta del Este from a different perspective.
