Where luxury and nature meet

Punta del Este is internationally recognized as one of the top resorts in the Americas and the most exclusive in the region. It is located in the department of Maldonado, just an hour and a half from the nation’s capital. Luxurious summer residences, high-rise beachfront apartment buildings, huge yachts in the harbour, luxury hotels and restaurants make this resort the most glamorous in the Americas. Not surprisingly, it has been chosen as a summer destination by celebrities like the designer Ralph Lauren, former footballer Zinedine Zidane, Metallica frontman James Hetfield or the Colombian Shakira. Around the city visitors will find a wide range of recreational activities including showrooms, restaurants, pubs, clubs, Antique shops, art galleries, cinemas, theatres and a thriving nightlife. This city resort is frequently chosen to host large and luxurious parties, fashion parades for prestigious brands and a wide range of large-scale cultural offerings like the International Jazz festival, the International Film Festival and exhibitions by renowned contemporary artists. Punta del Este is also a unique natural destination. With over 20 kilometers of coastline and high hills overlooking the sea, the resort also offers charming places and landscapes for those who come in search of absolute peace and tranquility. The meeting point of its two most famous beaches, Playa Mansa and Playa Brava, marks the end of the Río de la Plata and the start of the Atlantic Ocean. The resort has grown westward forming Punta Ballena and eastward creating La Barra and José Ignacio. The diversity of its coastline and its fine white sands make it an ideal destination for sports such as surfing, windsurfing, jet-skiing, motorboating, sailing, fishing and yachting. On land, tourists can also find special areas for other sports such as polo, golf, tennis and rugby. In short, Punta del Este is synonymous with an endless array of alternatives to meet the needs of the most demanding and heterogeneous tourists.

Gorlero and Calle 20

An outdoor shopping trip where the most recognised international brands, from Christian Dior to Benetton, converge with first rate traditional Uruguayan products. One of the most important points in the city is Avenida Gorlero, the resort’s main street. The tourist life in Punta del Este was born in this street and in it you can find shopping malls, restaurants, cinemas, casinos, shops and many other attractions.

Casapueblo
This Mediterranean-style house sculpture, made by the Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró, is located 20 minutes from Punta del Este and has become an architectural icon of the resort. The peculiar building currently serves as a modern art museum and on summer evenings it plays host to many cultural activities.

Museo Ralli (Ralli Museum)
A highly recommended display of the work of Latin American contemporary artists of great relevance to the present. The museum, located in the Beverly Hills neighbourhood, also boasts a number of sculptures by Salvador Dali and an exclusive sample of the work of British artist John Robinson.
Fundación Pablo Atchugarry (Pablo Atchugarry Foundation). The cultural space created by Pablo Atchugarry, the renowned Uruguayan sculptor based in Italy, allows tourists to have a peculiar encounter with the art creation process. Along with its exhibition rooms, Atchugarry has his workshop where, between December and March, he works on his great Carrara marble creations.

Trips to isla Gorriti and isla De Lobos (islands)
Getting to know these natural surroundings, next to the peninsula, is a must for tourists in search of their dream location. Isla Gorriti, located opposite the port of Punta del Este, has two beautiful beaches, Puerto Jardín and Playa Honda. The latter is located on the far side of Punta del Este, and has a beach bar as well as a scattering of barbecues to be freely used by tourists. Isla De Lobos, meanwhile, hosts the largest colony of sea lions in South America and is located opposite the ocean beaches of Punta del Este, 12 km from the coast.