Sightseeing in Punta del Este - what to see. Complete travel guide

Punta del Este is one of the most picturesque resorts in Uruguay. This city is situated in a truly scenic area – the place when the Rio de la Plata River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Local nature is like a magnet that attracts tourists from all over the world to this fabulous region, and excellent beaches covered with white sand together with crystal clean ocean make a vacation here truly unforgettable. Besides that, there are many parks in the vicinity of Punta del Este. These green areas are perfect for outdoor recreation. Both citizens and guests of the city visit local parks to enjoy fresh air and silence or to make a family picnic or a barbecue with friends. When comparing Punta del Este to other Uruguayan cities, it is easy to notice a striking difference. Punta del Este is a clean and charming city with a developed infrastructure.

Explorers reached this part of Uruguay for the first time at the beginning of the 16th century. That being said, the actual colonization of the territory started only two centuries later. Until that time, Punta del Este was nothing but an endless desert with dunes being its only decoration. In 1896, Antonio Lussich bought almost two thousand hectares of land here. Lussich planted different trees and bushes in the area. In total, thousands of eucalyptuses, pines, and acacias were planted in different parts of the province. The city of Punta del Este was founded in 1907, but the settlement officially became a city only fifty years later.

The first infrastructure in Punta del Este appeared yet in the 19th century thanks to the efforts of Francisco Aguilar. After the establishment of the settlement, the first ceramic factory in the region opened in Punta del Este. When Aguilar became the province’s governor, the first schools, churches, and administration buildings appeared in the city. Nowadays, all these buildings have become popular landmarks. The 20th century was the “golden age” for the Uruguayan region. Many people around the world heard about the miraculously beautiful city on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Because of this, the city’s authorities decided to turn Punta del Este into a high-class resort. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Before heading to the beach, all guests of the city try to visit one of the best-known Uruguayan symbols - La Mano or the Fingers of Punta del Este. This unusual monument was installed on one of the local beaches – Brava – in 1982. Chilean artist Mario Irarrázabal is the author of the unusual sculpture. Nowadays, the Fingers is the most popular spot among both citizens and guests of the resort, so the area near the monument is always crowded. Initially, the artist wanted to make a monument dedicated to people who died in the ocean. The monument’s five fingers look like they are penetrating the sand abyss, trying to reach the light, snatching at something, and saving oneself from the inevitable death.

The beach itself is perfectly suitable for all fans of active recreation. High waves are not rare near Brava, so many visitors grab surfboards and head to ride the waves. There is a rental office that also offers everything needed for scuba diving. If you simply want to relax and sunbathe, you can always rent sun loungers and umbrellas. Brava is always crowded during the tourist season. There are guests from all parts of the world here, but the Brazilians are usually the majority. Numerous cafes and restaurants along the coastline offer refreshing beverages, various cocktails, and local delicacies.

Are you searching for a place to relax together with children? Mansa Beach is an ideal destination for family vacationers. This coastal area is famous for its pleasant and calm atmosphere. Mansa Beach is situated in the north-eastern part of the city. As this beach is located not far from the place where the river meets the ocean, near the port, this coastal area is deprived of high waves and big storms. The water near Mansa Beach has a yellowish color because of the high content of clay in the bottom. The beach is covered with sand, so it is comfortable to relax here without any sun loungers. Of course, it is possible to rent them right on the beach.

Every year, Punta del Este hosts a wine festival that brings together many wine experts and professional sommeliers. If you arrive in the resort city at the end of January, you will be able to attend one of the grandiose celebrations that take place in Punta del Este. Winemakers from all parts of South America come to this Uruguayan city to sign long-term contracts, establish new business relations, and meet industry experts. At a glance, it feels like this is an insider event that is not interesting for a leisure tourist. However, there are attractions for everyone. All visitors are welcome to try new varieties of wine brought from different countries and communicate with famous people.

Tourists from many countries can get to Punta del Este by making a connecting flight with a stop in a large European city. After that, they need to fly to the only airport in Montevideo – Carrasco International Airport. Upon arrival, get on a bus that goes to Punta del Este. The ride will be approximately one hour long. Of course, tourists can always find a taxi that will take them to the resort city from the capital.