Montevideo & Punta del Este

Uruguay’s South Atlantic Coast (including Piriapolis)

Montevideo

Uruguay's capital city, Montevideo, is a vibrant bustling port located on the northern shore of the Rio de La Plata, Montevideo has the `sense and feel` of old colonial however it also has developed a modern hum. It is a surprisingly clean city, with close-by delightful coastal beaches such as Playa Ramirez and Playa de los Pocitos. Montevideo from the outside seems low-key, but internally has a wonderful `easy` cultural mix, hospitable people and is worthy of spending time - at least two nights here to explore. It has emerged in the last decade as one of the South American continent's `suave - chic` capitals with its architecture, the refurbished old quarters, wondrous restaurants serving superb beef and a recently gained reputation for producing very high quality Tannat red wine. There is a fast ferry service twice a day to Buenos Aires, up the River Plate, which takes 2hrs:50min.

Piriapolis & Punta del Este

Montevideo is an excellent point to explore the south Atlantic coast to the north, with some glorious alluring summer beaches in Piriapolis, 97km north of Montevideo and Punta del Este, 130km north, which is talked about as a mini-Monte Carlo for the two month period of just prior to Christmas, until the last week of February, when both of these locations draw large vacation crowds who come to be seen and flaunt their wealth.

Piriapolis harbour bulges to overflowing with some seriously large luxurious `yachts` during the Christmas - new year vacation. This ocean front city has a chairlift that leads up a steep overlooking hill called Cerro San Antonio, to a small whitewashed chapel and a lookout point. The waterfront promenade of Rambla de los Argentinos curves around the bay and Piriapolis Beach.

Punta del Este, so named as it is the furthest point of land east in Uruguay. There are two wonderfully flat white sandy beaches so named for their positions on opposite sides of the peninsula, Playa Mansa (the calm beach) and Playa Brava (the turbulent beach). They both feature concreted promenades, for exercising, cycling, rollerblading and people watching. Punta del Este boasts an amazing offer of luxurious wellness spa retreats, top flight beachfront hotels and a five-star casino hotel. International visitors seeking style, but not requiring hotel services have the choice of deluxe apartments and boutique, arty styled, small chic hotels.

There are a number of markets (artisan handcraft & organic food), music festivals and bars which give the town a fantastic vibe throughout the day and into the evening and the restaurants offer a range of excellent food.

 There are many plush apartment styled hotels along this glorious coastline, demand exceeding supply in that short high summer period, but readily available on the shoulders of high season.