Punta del Este, Uruguay

Punta del Este is an upscale resort on the southern tip of Uruguay, southeast of Maldonado and about 140 km east of Montevideo. It boasts excellent beaches, beautiful seaside mansions, tree-lined streets, chic boutiques and stylish people.

Punta del Este has two coastlines, one of them is quietand calm (called "mansa"), and the other one is windy, with some surf spots (called "brava"). Famous beaches include: "La playa de los Dedos" (The finger beach"), which is near the main street in Punta del Este, close to a surf spot, and it has a giant hand emerging from the sand. In La Barra, the Bikini Beach is famous because of the models and famous people that visit.

Casa-Pueblo is a beautiful ciudadela-museum near Punta del Este. It was created by Uruguayan artist Paez-Vilaró in a kind of mediterranean surrealistic architecture.

Things to See & Do

* Colonial architecture
* Casa Pueblo - ciudadela-museum
* Lighthouse
* Gorlero Avenue - main avenue of Punta del Este
* Artigas square - handicraft market

Cruise Season - Jan - Dec
Currency - Uruguayan peso ($, UYU)
Language - Spanish
Population - 12,000 approx
Electricity - 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style
Time - GMT minus three hours
International Country Telephone Code - + 598

Port Location - The port is located in the downtown area of Punta del Este.

Transport Links - The city is served by Capitan Corbeta CA Curbelo International Airport, Uruguay's second most important, located near Laguna Del Sauce on the outskirts of the city. It offers domestic and international flights within the region. Montevideo's Carrasco International Airport, Uruguay's main airport, is about 150 km from Punta del Este.

Punta del Este can be reached from Buenos Aires by ferryboat (Buquebus) to Montevideo (the capital city), 140 km from Punta del Este, and then by car or bus.