Rocha Wild Coast Road Trip
Drive east along Route 10, connecting lighthouse towns, off-grid fishing villages, sea lions, and the Santa Teresa Fortress.
This route bypasses the bustling Punta del Este to focus exclusively on the Rocha coast. Start by staying in La Paloma, which has relatively complete facilities, then park your car by the highway and take a 4x4 truck into Cabo Polonio for an overnight stay, before finally heading to Punta del Diablo and Santa Teresa. Driving allows you to connect small towns with infrequent bus services, but village accommodations are rustic and some road sections are gravel. Ideal for those who have already seen the cities and want beaches and a slower pace.
Most crowded in early January; many restaurants close from April until December.
Day by day
Day 1 · Cross the Circular Bridge to La Paloma
Punta del Este（Laguna Garzón Bridge） → Cabo Polonio（La Paloma & Cabo Santa María Lighthouse）
Drive east from Montevideo along the coastal highway, passing the Laguna Garzón Bridge to La Paloma, taking about 4 to 5 hours including stops.
The circular bridge has a parking area; a stop of about 10 minutes is sufficient.
Stay: La Paloma
Day 2 · Cliffside Town and Dune Fishing Village
Cabo Polonio（La Pedrera、Cabo Polonio Village、Cabo Polonio Lighthouse）
Drive to La Pedrera in the morning, and in the afternoon park at km 264 on Route 10, then transfer to a 4x4 truck for a 20-minute ride into the village.
Private cars cannot enter the village. There is no electricity grid in the village, so bring only overnight luggage and a flashlight.
Stay: Cabo Polonio Village
Day 3 · See Sea Lions, then Head to Punta del Diablo
Cabo Polonio（Sea Lion Colony (Lobería)、Cabo Polonio Dunes & 4x4 Truck Ride、Punta del Diablo）
Walk to see the sea lions in the early morning, take the truck out of the village to retrieve your car, and then drive along the highway to Punta del Diablo, about a 1-hour drive.
The eastern section of Route 10 has gravel roads, and the streets in Punta del Diablo are sandy, so drive slowly.
Stay: Punta del Diablo
Day 4 · Santa Teresa Fortress and Forest Beaches
Cabo Polonio（Fortaleza de Santa Teresa、Santa Teresa National Park）
Drive north from Punta del Diablo for about 10 minutes to Santa Teresa National Park, drive and walk around the park, and return in the evening.
During the off-season, some beaches have no lifeguards; do not enter the water when rip currents are strong.
Stay: Punta del Diablo
Day 5 · Return to Montevideo via Fishing Villages
Cabo Polonio（Aguas Dulces） → Montevideo（Carrasco & Hotel Carrasco）
In the morning, detour to Aguas Dulces, then head west on Route 9 back to Carrasco Airport, taking about 4 to 5 hours.
It is best to choose a flight in the evening or later on this day, and leave enough time for car rental return.