Good Morning Buenos Aires is pleased to present you this article on the various attractions of Punta Del Este, Uruguay. Good Morning BA has been proudly serving the expat and international community of Buenos Aires Argentina since 2007 offering the very best in Buenos Aires New and Information, Events Listings, Buenos Aires Guides, a Services Directory, Blog Directory, Discount Program and more.

Local Attractions

Punta Del Este is an ideal travel destination for the entire family as it is known as one of Latin America’s safest locations. With its many beaches, parks, museums and historic sites Punta Del Este offers something for everyone.

One of Punta Del Este’s claims to international fame is its many beaches. The village offers a variety of different kinds of beaches with some sporting fine white sand while others offer course golden grains. Some of its beaches offer strong currents and waves which are wildly popular with sports enthusiasts. Other beaches are ideal for families with their calm solitude. La Barra is one of the most popular beaches for water sports enthusiasts while La Posta Del Cangrejo Beach is one of the more popular beaches for families with children. Other noted beaches include: La Tahona, popular with teenagers, Gorriti Island, Montoya, La Punta, Jose Ignacio, La Mansa, La Brava and La Barra.

Local attractions include the Punta Del Este Lighthouse with its crystal illumination panels imported from France; Gorriti Island, a natural port and favorite amongst water sports fans; Gorlero Avenue, the town’s main street which is filled with casinos, cinemas, galleries, restaurants and shops; and Artigas Square which is home to a popular handicraft market known as the Feria Artesanal.

For the family, there is the Parque El Jaguel, a children’s playground complete with wooden play equipment and animal figures. There is the Municipal Zoo (Parque Municipal Zoologico) which includes many interactive exhibits. And another zoo (Zoologico Pan de Azucar) with a large selection of native animals in natural settings.

Area Attractions

The quiet little village of José Ignacio has recently become an exclusive hideaway for people from all over the world. Facing the Atlantic Ocean, this rustic town has become the choice location for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life preferring instead to commune with nature. The high point of the town is its many seafood restaurants which have been praised by gourmet lovers from all over the world.

La Barra, a former fishing village, is located just a few miles from Punta del Este and is home to chic art galleries, colorful houses, flea markets, restaurants, pubs and the some of the area’s best nightlife.

Once a very small fishing village, La Barra now is the chic place to go for vacations and the "in place’ to go to enjoy a thriving nightlife. La Barra is also home to many noted beaches to include: Bikini, El Chorro, Manantiales, Montoya and Punta Piedras.

Maldonado, the capital city of Maldonado Department (province or state), is a lovely colonial town of about 50,000 that is filled with museums, libraries, private and public universities and a thriving commercial district.

Punta Ballena, known for its spectacular sunsets, is also famous for Casapueblo, the former home of noted Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró. Located about 20 minutes from Punta Del Este it is a must see for visitors to the area. Originally built as homage to the artist’s son, one of the 16 survivors of the famous crash of Uruguayan Flight 571, Casapueblo is not just a home, but also a citadel that includes an art gallery, museum and hotel. During the summer months it hosts classical music concerts. Visitors to Punta Ballena can also enjoy the nearby Arboretum Lussich, trekking, surfing and windsurfing.

Restaurants & Nightlife

Punta Del Este offers visitors a wide variety of restaurants and nightlife. Here you will find outstanding international cuisine to include Arab, Chinese, French, Italian and Spanish restaurants. You can also enjoy local favorites such as pizzas, chivitos (a typical Uruguayan sandwich) and parrilladas (barbecue places or steakhouses). Prices range from about US$7.00 for a fast food combo to US$100.00 or more for fine gourmet cuisine. A normal classic restaurant will charge between US$20.00 and US$30.00 for a good meal. One will never had difficulty finding a good place to eat in Punte Del Este, but if going to a more expensive restaurant it is advisable to book in advance.

Here are some of the local favorites:

View Point Gourmet: With one of the nicest views of the Island Gorriti, View Point Restaurant is known for its Mediterranean cuisine created by Chef Roberto Connio.

El Garzón Restaurant by Francis Mallman y Finca La Anita: The cuisine of El Garzón is based on regional products to include seafood. The wine list includes Uruguayan wines as well as Argentine wines with a special selection of Finca La Anita wines of varied vintages.

Moby Dick: Stepping into Moby Dick, one is immediately struck by its similarity to an Irish pub with its wooden décor and great selection of fine beers. Located in front of the harbor, Moby Dick is one of the areas most famous discos and is legendary for its night life. The club has a terrace which is ideal for hot summer nights and is a great option for late night drinks and live music.

Tequila: Tequila is known as one of the most exclusive discos in the Punta Del Este area. Located in nearby Barra just a few yards from Montoya Beach, Tequila is the hot spot most often selected from celebrities from all over the world. During the summer months, Tequila is open 7 nights a week and offers electronic music well into the wee hours of the night (morning in fact). You better get there early though because due to its exclusive nature, some nights it remains almost impossible to get inside no matter what price one is willing to pay to enter.