Things to Do in Punta del Este Uruguay: Attractions + More

There are loads of things to do in Punta del Este Uruguay for any budget. Punta del Este is a city situated on a little peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean in the southeast of Uruguay. What is a smaller beach town in the winter totally comes alive with partygoers in the summer, when it becomes what I’ve been told is the “St Tropez of Latin America.”

I was here in the winter (June), so I didn’t see it at its highest point, but was still able to check out all the different parts of the city and honestly, the quieter vibe was kind of perfect for exploring on foot without the summer crowds.

The peninsula faces the Atlantic ocean in the east, which is perfect for catching a few swells when they come in and for sunrises over the ocean. On the west, it faces a huge bay. This is where the protected harbor and beachside boardwalks are, and also a perfect sunset over the water as well. Sunsets and sunrises over the ocean? Yep, Punta del Este is heaven.

Pin this to remember all these Punta del Este attractions!

As part of my one week Uruguay itinerary, I spent three nights in Punta del Este, but two of my days were spent road tripping along the Uruguayan coast. This left me pretty much one day to explore all the things to do in Punta del Este.

I honestly thought this was plenty of time to explore the city center and little peninsula on foot, but there are definitely a few things I would have also done had I had more time.

So, I have first listed things to do in Punta del Este Uruguay in one day. These points are listed in order – you walk along the east (Atlantic) side of the peninsula, around the plaza at the end, and back around to the western harbor side – like a loop!

After that, I have included some extra tours and places to visit and explore in Punta del Este if you have more time – I recommend more time here so you can road trip and to do extra activities like boating and surfing!

Things to do in Punta del Este in One Day: Self-Guided Walking Tour of the Attractions

The next few Punta del Este attractions are all organized in order into a self-guided walking tour. Make sure to give yourself enough time to visit them all! Make sure to bring sun protection, water, and comfortable walking shoes for travel.

Los Dedos + Sculpture Area

Los Dedos is an incredible and famous hand sculpture on the beach of massive fingers emerging from the sand. Apparently, it is meant to depict man’s emergence into nature. There are lots of different sculptures around the area and in the grass areas on the street, which were all done by artists from different Latin American countries and all have deeper meanings.

La Virgen

If you keep walking along the same coastline from Los Dedos, you’ll see an altar-type thing right on the rocks. This is the Ermita de la Virgen de la Candelaria, a small shrine to Punta del Este’s patron saint. There are lots of notes and dedications from people who say the Virgin has helped them too. It’s really pretty.

Playa El Emir/Shipwreck

Just north from La Virgen you’ll find Playa El Emir, which was I guess named after a rich Turkish guy who moved there. You’ll also find a shipwreck of an old boat that was sold to Argentina after being a US warship in WW2 and eventually met its fate crashing on these rocks on a foggy day.

Stand at the Point of 4 Seas

It’s called something like that in Spanish, but right at the thinnest part of the Punta del Este peninsula, there’s a 4-way intersection street where you can stand in the middle and see the sea at the end of all four streets!

It’s technically the Atlantic Ocean on two of these sides and the Rio de La Plata/harbor on the other two. Nonetheless, it’s pretty unique to see the sea in every single direction you look.

Visit the Lighthouse

Right in the middle of the point and not too far from the intersection of four oceans, there’s a lighthouse right next to a beautiful blue old Catholic church. Both are things to see in Punta del Este that are worth checking out, and if nothing else are a good photo op and a bit of a different and old-school vibe than the rest of the city.

See the Intersection Point Between the Rio de La Plata and the Atlantic Ocean

Ok, so I guess only people from Argentina and Uruguay might say this, but the space between the two countries is occupied by the Rio de la Plata, the widest river estuary in the world.

Technically speaking, Punta del Este is the point where the river officially becomes the Atlantic Ocean. There is a little viewing area at the farthest point of the peninsula, which is also the southernmost point in Uruguay.

Go to the Punta del Este Port, Eat Some Fresh Seafood, and Look for Sea Lions

Once you make your way back along the east side of the peninsula from the point, you’ll reach a small beach lined by restaurants, and the harbor. Along the harbor, there are tons of fishermen selling their fresh catches and selling them along the waterfront. It’s a great place to grab some food to cook for dinner and enjoy the scenes.

Oftentimes sea lions will be milling around, splashing, begging for food, barking, and occasionally scaring the heck out of little children. I say this because when I was there, fisherman were casually feeding the birds when, out of nowhere, a MASSIVE sea lion launched himself onto the dock and nearly took out a couple toddlers. It scared the hell out of me but it was hilarious. This is definitely a fun place to check out!

Punta del Este Shopping

If you find your way back into the town from the waterfront, you’ll find yourself in the shopping center of the city. Calle 20 (El Romanso) and extensions thereof is the high-end shopping street of the city.

Like I said, this is quite an affluent town and it has the shops, hotels, and parties to prove it! If you want to do some real shopping, this is the place to do it.

Feria Artesanias Artisanal Market

If you don’t quite have the funds for El Romanso or if you want something a bit different, there’s an artisanal market a block over that has tons of interesting and handmade items. It’s right in the main square of town that is surrounded by palm trees, and you can find some real gems in there.

Eat Some Ice Cream

Gelateria Arlecchino has the best ice cream in town, right in the center of the peninsula! Take a break from explorations to enjoy a cold treat.

La Vista Viewpoint +Rotating Restaurant

Now that you’ve made it back to the end of the peninsula again, it’s time to find the best view of the city! La Vista has a rotating restaurant and viewpoint on top, plus a small art gallery downstairs worth a peek before you head up. The rotating floor takes about an hour and ten minutes to complete a full 360-degree turn, so plan to linger over a meal or drink to see the whole city. Heads up that there’s now an entrance fee to go up even if you’re just there for the view, not just for dining, so budget a little extra for this stop.

Walk the Rambla for the Sunset

If you aren’t tired of walking just yet, you should double back along the coast and find a nice spot along the western Rambla to watch a perfect sunset. Punta del Este Uruguay is AMAZING for sunsets. The entire west side of the peninsula faces the sunset over the water (and Isla Gorriti) and the entire bay turns incredible shades of blue and pink at the end of the daylight.

I wouldn’t be able to choose the BEST sunset spot, but maybe one of the little piers that sticks out over the water would provide the best view. Honestly though, everywhere. Join the hoards of Uruguayans enjoying the sunset moment and drinking mate.

Visit the Museums in Punta del Este

Of course, I must list a few museums while talking about things to do in Punta del Este Uruguay… here are some you can check out! I popped into the Ralli Museum on my walk and loved wandering the quiet galleries after being out in the sun all day, it’s a nice contrast to the beach-and-sculpture energy of the rest of the peninsula. I didn’t make it out to Museo del Mar in La Barra this time, but it’s high on my list for next time if you’re into all things ocean.

• Ralli Museum – Art Museum featuring in-depth exhibitions of both Latin American and International artists
• If you’re into art and sculpture, don’t miss the Pablo Atchugarry Foundation just outside the city center. It’s a stunning open-air sculpture park with massive white marble sculptures by Uruguayan artist Pablo Atchugarry scattered across the grounds. The indoor gallery rotates exhibitions by international and Latin American artists. Admission is free, and it’s the kind of place you can easily spend a couple of hours wandering. It’s not in the city center, but trust me, it’s worth the trip out to see dozens of trippy, fascinating, and massive installations scattered around the park. The light out there, especially in the afternoon, is incredible.
• Museum of the Sea (Museo del Mar) – a museum about all things ocean. Located in La Barra.
• Galería del Paseo – Contemporary Latin American art gallery in Manantiales, showing work from a rotating roster of Uruguayan and international artists.

Things to do in Punta del Este Uruguay if You Have More Time

These are a few extra things to do in Punta del Este that didn’t quite fit into a walking tour schedule but are great to do just the same. You can squeeze them into Punta del Este in one day, or add them into your itinerary for 2-3+ days too (with plenty of beach time).

City Tours / Free Walking Tours in Punta del Este

There are free walking tours of Punta del Este if you want a guided version of the route I walked above. I actually did one and loved it, the guide was incredibly dedicated and seemed to know more about PDE’s history than I thought was possible to know about one small peninsula. I still think about a few of the stories he told. If you want someone to fill in the history and stories behind each spot, it’s a great option.

Rent a Bike and explore the Boardwalk

The Rambla (boardwalk along the water) is walkable, but it might take a little while. You can explore much more on two wheels! I always say biking is the best way to see a city, and renting one for a few hours could be the best way to orient yourself to the many beaches and sights along the peninsula of Punta del Este.

You can also turn the walking tour above into a biking tour and see all the things to do in Punta del Este in just an hour or two.

Take a Boat Tour of Isla Gorriti/Isla de Los Lobos

From Punta del Este you’ll see two islands: Isla de Los Lobos and Isla Gorriti. Isla de Los Lobos is actually home to the third tallest lighthouse in the world and the largest population of sea lions in Latin America. You can see this island and lighthouse from the entire eastside of Punta del Este, or take a boat tour to get closer.

Gorriti was an old leader who was exiled to that island because he wanted to retire and refused to protect families that were placed in Punta del Este to grow the city. Then, it was named after him!

Go Wine Tasting

Did you know Uruguay is actually quite a prolific wine region?! Yeah, me neither, but when in Rome why not taste the Roman wine?! Those are definitely words I live by in any wine region, or let’s be honest, anywhere with anything cool to do.

Uruguay is most famous for their red wine varietal called Tannat, but if you take some wine tours from the city you can try even more. Check out these tours:

• Bodega Garzón Wine Tour with Lunch
• Punta del Este & Jose Ignacio Wine Tours

Punta del Este Surf Lessons

The eastern side of Punta del Este, Uruguay, faces the Atlantic coast, and I guess sometimes there are waves on that side. They have surf lessons all up the entire coast in lots of the small towns. The water looked like a lake when I was there but I guess sometimes the surf perks up.

Visit the Casapueblo

Casapueblo is an incredible work or architectural genius located just about half an hour from Punta del Este. The artist, Vilaró, designed this building which is now a hotel, museum, and perfect spot for sunset. This is honestly one of my favorite buildings I’ve ever visited. It’s influenced the architecture style I love most, and I fully intend to build my own version of a villa like this one day. You can’t miss it while here.

• Rent a car to see Casapueblo from Punta del Este
• You can also book your ticket early to secure your spot. 

Rent a Car and see the Whole Coast

As I mentioned in my Uruguay Itinerary and Uruguay road trip guide, I rented a car for 3 days and drove from Montevideo to Punta del Este and back again, so I could see everything possible in the short time I had. I highly recommend doing this  – even just for a day – so you can see the smaller and more quaint beach towns along the Atlantic Coast.

Check out my guide to driving in Uruguay first of all, and then check rental car rates here for both automatic and manual cars.

Day Trip to Jose Ignacio

If you’ve got a car and want to escape the Punta del Este crowds, make the 40-minute drive northeast to Jose Ignacio. It’s a tiny fishing village that’s turned into a low-key foodie destination, with a string of beachfront restaurants (La Huella is the most famous) and a gorgeous lighthouse. The vibe is way more relaxed than Punta del Este, and the beaches are just as beautiful. Go for lunch, stay for sunset, and you’ll see why people rave about it. It’s a great one to add onto a road trip along the coast.

And the Last Thing to do in Punta Del Este… PARTY!

They don’t call this the San Tropez of Latin America for nothing! I would say it’s like Miami meets St Tropez meets Latin America. If you’re here in summer, you can find lots of awesome beach parties and bars going wild at night. You can even check out some music festivals in South America!

There’s a strip of bars that are actually very close to the harbor, where the party starts off in the summer months. Ther all have outdoor patios and balconies open to the summer air. For a rooftop scene with a view, check out HUMA Rooftop Bar & Lounge, and Ovo Beach is the spot if you want a full beach club and disco experience.

There are also a lot of clubs along the beach up in the next town over, La Barra. La Barra is just up the coast and is a super trendy area of restaurants, cafes, and nightlife too.

Where to Stay in Punta del Este Uruguay

As always, I will recommend both a comfort and a budget accommodation to suit all kinds of traveler needs. I got to visit some of the most popular hotels in the city, that I was told are known to host the elite partygoers in the summertime.

But personally, this time I stayed in a boutique hotel/hostel chain called El Viajero, which has private rooms as well as dorms.

Punta del Este Comfort Accommodation:

• Boutique Hotel: Awa Boutique + Design Hotel – Beautiful boutique hotel + spa just outside the Peninsula
• Fancy Hotel: The Grand Hotel Punta del Este – exceptional hotel right on the beach
• Centrally Located: Enjoy Punta del Este (The Conrad) – often considered the best hotel in the city, The Conrad is also located perfectly. It books up fast, though – get to it!

Punta del Este Budget Accommodation:

• Pastora Suites & Hostel Punta del Este: I stayed here. Pastora (Prev El Viajero) is just at the base of the peninsula, and within walking distance to pretty much everything. There’s a strip of restaurants and kioskos just down the road, but the cool thing about this hostel is that it has it’s own bar and restaurant too, so you don’t even have to leave! They have private hotel rooms and also dorms, a super cool and social common area, a pretty solid free breakfast, and of course a bar/restaurant if you don’t feel like cooking in the hostel kitchen.
• F&F Hostel: A super chilled out hostel with a large open common area and a pool. Just a bit farther removed from town but still walking distance.
• Tas D Viaje Hostel + Surf Camp: Centrally located and has a surf camp option if you are interested in surfing while here! Also has both dorm and private rooms.

Vacation Rentals: There are also some nice Airbnb options in Punta del Este, La Barra, and even Jose Ignacio, a tiny little beach town full of beautiful massive houses. Staying outside the city could be a great option if you rent a car.

How to get to Punta del Este Uruguay

By Bus: Uruguay is very well-connected by bus, and the Punta del Este terminal is right at the base of the peninsula. There are connections twice an hour to Montevideo, and also to other destinations up the coast like Cabo Polonio and Punta del Diablo.

Rent a Car: I rented my car with Hertz Uruguay, which has offices in Colonia, Montevideo, and Punta del Este. If you want an automatic car, Rentalcars.com has a specific section for automatics (but rent manuals, too)!

Budget Rental Car also has offices in Punta del Este. I thought this was the best way to get around and see all the points of interest. Just make sure to know my tips before driving in Uruguay and try to split costs with other travelers if you’re on a budget because gas is pricey.

By Plane: Punta del Este also has an international airport, with the cheapest flights to and from Brazil and Argentina. Check this Skyscanner widget to see where to find the cheapest flights.

Have you pinned me yet? 🙂