Punta del Este

The 'Monaco of South America': a seaside resort with the famous Hand sculpture on the beach, the white artist-built Casapueblo and the chic fishing village of José Ignacio.

Punta del Este lies in Maldonado Department in southeastern Uruguay, a peninsula city jutting out where the Atlantic meets the Río de la Plata estuary. Known as the 'Monaco of South America', it draws wealthy Argentines and Brazilians and plenty of celebrities in summer. On the west side of the peninsula is the calm Playa Mansa; on the east, the surf-friendly Playa Brava, home to 'La Mano' (the Hand), the city's signature sculpture.

Where to go: the old town at the tip of the peninsula (La Península) has the port, the lighthouse, the Candelaria church and Avenida Gorlero; sea lions often show up at the harbor docks, and boats run to Isla Gorriti and the sea lion reserve on Isla de Lobos. About 15 km west is the Punta Ballena peninsula, where Casapueblo, the white building created by artist Carlos Páez Vilaró, is the classic spot for sunset, with the Lussich Arboretum nearby. Heading east, cross the undulating Leonel Viera Bridge to La Barra and Manantiales, home to the Pablo Atchugarry Foundation sculpture park and the MACA art museum. Around 40 km farther east are the chic fishing village of José Ignacio and the circular bridge over Laguna Garzón; inland, the village of Pueblo Garzón and Bodega Garzón are a wine-tasting destination. To the west, the city of Maldonado preserves its colonial Dragoons' Barracks and cathedral, while Piriápolis offers a retro seafront and a hilltop chairlift.

Getting there: long-distance buses from Montevideo take about 2 hours, or fly into Laguna del Sauce International Airport (with summer flights from Buenos Aires); from Buenos Aires you can also take the ferry to Montevideo and continue by road. Sights in and around the city are spread out, so renting a car is recommended.

Allow 3–4 days. In high season (especially January) accommodation is expensive and should be booked well ahead, and nightlife doesn't start until midnight. In the off-season many restaurants and beach bars close, but it's quiet and uncrowded, a good time for the art venues. It's windy by the sea, and temperatures drop noticeably after sunset.

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