Vacation In Uruguay Beach
When I was searching for the very best vacation in Uruguay Beach, my research opened a door to a world of possibilities that had been stunning. Uruguay’s claim to fame is its warm, glistening shoreline and beaches, which hugs this country’s very borders. These pristine sandy strands are dotted with some of the most majestic looking seaside towns in South America.
Uruguay beach, Campo Carrasco is located southeast of the town of Punta del Este in the department of Maldonado. The beach has combed sand and clean sea water for all tastes.
Traveling for the New Year? As you descend into the warm, sunny climes of South America, what better place to forget the cold, gray drudgery of the last 365 days and begin anew than in a city whose motto is “Bella Montevidiâ€?” – a fitting phrase to usher in 2017! And although it is one of the smallest countries in South America, nobody will be complaining about having too much to see and do during your time here. So for those planning on vacationing to Uruguay this New Year’s season, here are some things you might not have known about this incredible city on the banks of one of the most beautiful bays in the Southern Hemisphere.
The country of Uruguay is located on the South American continent across the ocean from Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay in the southeast region of South America. It has a total area of approximately 176,000 sq km (45,000 sq miles) with 20,562 km (12,639 miles) of coastline. The Republic of Uruguay is bordered by the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul to the north and west and by the Argentine federal jurisdictions of Entre Rios Province and Corrientes Province to the north and east respectively. Eastwards lie two land borders–with Brazil on west and with Argentina on east. Uruguay is divided into 19 Departments which are Administrative Suites comprised of several municipalities. There cover a wide range of climates as well
Vacation In Uruguay Beach
Uruguay is a major tourist destination in South America and many consider it one of the most beautiful countries in Latin America. The country’s name comes from the Spanish pronunciation of the native Charruan word for “river”, which Uruguayan troops heard upon invading the land in the early 18th century.
Planning your holidays is one of the hardest things to get right. You want somewhere sunny and affordable but you don’t want somewhere that’s overly touristy or dangerous. You want somewhere in the south so the weather will be nice but you also want on the coast if you like beach holidays.
Uruguay’s beach-lined coast might not be full of palm trees and turquoise waters, but you’ll still find plenty of soft, rolling sand dunes and unique beach destinations in this small South American country.
Because Uruguay is not well-known as a beach destination, and it mostly only receives tourism from neighboring countries, it’s never truly overcrowded, and the coastline has remained clean and not overdeveloped.
From upscale Punta del Este beaches to remote areas such as Cabo Polonio–where you’ll probably just share the sand with seals–Uruguay has plenty of options for beach lovers. Here is our list of the best beaches in Uruguay.
Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.
1. Punta del Este
Punta del Este is Uruguay’s most happening coastal area–the place where models, actors, and anybody who’s even remotely famous heads to in summer.
Brava Beach, perhaps the most famous of the beaches here, extends for over eight kilometers and offers plenty of places to rent equipment for surfing and paddling, and places to grab food and drinks. Sun loungers and umbrellas are also available for rent, but arrive early in the day for any hope of getting one–things get busy quickly during hot days.
Towards the southern end of the beach, you’ll find The Mano, a giant sculpture of a hand that seems to be coming out of the sand and a famous photo spot. Continue walking, and you’ll run into tall sand dunes, where you’ll see teens practicing sandboarding.
Punta’s other famous beach, Playa Mansa (which roughly translates to “tame beach”) has no waves, smaller crowds, and some of the most stunning sunsets you’ll find in Uruguay. It also has a beautiful long walkway filled with cafés, stores, and places to sit for a bite overlooking the ocean.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Punta del Este
2. Pocitos
The upscale Pocitos neighborhood is perhaps best known for its beautiful beach, which sits on the Rio de la Plata banks, and for the Rambla, a long walkway boulevard lined with apartment buildings, hotels, cafés, and restaurants. Pocitos is in a great location for easy access to other entertainment, including museums, galleries, parks, and attractions.
Pocitos beach is home to several championships during the year, more notably competitions of beach soccer, volleyball, and swimming but also nautical races and events.
Throughout the summer, Pocitos is one of the country’s most-loved and most-happening beaches, where you can soak up the sunshine, enjoy the golden sand, and even add a visit to the Naval Museum of Montevideo, right across the beach.
3. Playa del Rivero
A small bay area in the town of Punta del Diablo (Devil’s Point), Playa del Rivero is quiet and underdeveloped, with waves perfect for surfing year-round (though keep in mind that winters are cold in Uruguay, so come prepared).
This is a nice, clean family beach, perfect for water sports and swimming (lifeguards are on duty during the summer) or to just relax at the oceanfront shacks selling food and drinks. You could even be lucky enough to spot some whales or dolphins out in the water.
Cross the boulders at the end of the beach, and you’ll enter the grounds of Santa Teresa National Park, which covers 3,000 hectares and offers forests, many kilometers of hiking trails, its own small hidden beaches, campgrounds, and even a giant greenhouse and the ruins of an 18th-century fort.
The town of Punta del Diablo offers a famous arts and crafts fair in the evenings.
4. Piriapolis
The city of Piriapolis was once the most popular summer resort in Uruguay, long before Punta del Este became the hip destination for sun lovers.
Piriapolist is home to over 25 kilometers of coastline, with many unnamed small stretches of beach interrupted by boulders and soft hills growing into the distance. The beaches are clean and can get busy during summer, when tourists from Argentina and all over Uruguay arrive to enjoy the sand.
A long walkway runs alongside the beach, where visitors can jog, bike, or just stop for a quick coffee or snack. Piriapolis is all about tourism, and the area along the beach has been developed to offer high-end hotels, restaurants, and many green areas.
For the best sweeping view of the coastline and the ocean, get on the chair lift that goes to the San Antonio church, right at the top of a hill. The Cerro Pan de Azúcar (Sugar Loaf Hill) is just outside town and is surrounded by a nature preserve–if you’re up for the challenge of climbing the steep hill, you’ll be rewarded with more amazing views.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Piriapolis
5. Cabo Polonio
If your idea of the perfect beach is “as isolated as it gets,” Cabo Polonio is the place for you. A tiny hamlet with no roads leading in or out of it, Cabo Polonio can only be reached by trekking for around seven kilometers over tall, soft sand dunes from the main highway.
The tiny population of Cabo Polonio (just under 100 permanent residents) lives right on the sand dunes, the rustic cabins surviving with no electricity, no running water, and no Wi-Fi by choice. Visitors come here for a different type of beach experience–a place away from everything, where your eyes can get lost in the breathtaking gold of the sand dunes one way and the ocean waves the other.
Posadas (small inns), a couple of restaurants, and a grocery store–all of which have generators to produce electricity–offer enough for a cozy stay near the water. Cabo Polonio is also home to a large colony of friendly sea lions
