Location:
Cruise ships anchor in this port. Guests will be taken ashore via ship’s tenders. To get from the pier to street level requires negotiating a flight of steps. The town center is about a 10-block walk from the pier area. Taxis may be available in limited numbers.
Punte del Este can be best described as modern, clean, French Riviera.
Renowned for its international conferences and film festivals, Punta del Este is one of the finest beach resorts in South America. Many wealthy Uruguayans, Argentines and Brazilians have built spectacular mansions along the magnificent coastline. Celebrities and jet-setters from across the globe frequent Punta del Este for the beaches, fresh air and nightlife. For many of Montevideo’s residents this fashionable resort provides a popular weekend getaway.
With a skyline of alternating high-rise towers and million-dollar mansions, Punta del Este is host to a sophisticated culture and a swinging social scene.
During the day locals and visitors hit the beaches of the peninsula that provide a perfect setting for a variety of water sports. The land side, with its sand dunes, large forests of pines, eucalyptus and mimosa, makes a fitting contrast. A marina full of sleek yachts, excellent restaurants, chic boutiques, art galleries, a renowned museum, casinos and three golf courses add to a Riviera-like atmosphere.
Famous beaches includes: “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 go there.
Tours/Excursions/Transportation:
The perimeter of this peninsula can easily be traversed by foot.
San Rafael District
Driving along the tree-lined coast, you can view numerous posh estates.
Barra de Maldonado
This quaint village is the site of an unusual hanging bridge, brightly colored colonial buildings and antique shops.
Casa-Pueblo, (From Punta del Este bus terminal, ask for a bus to Punta Ballena. Tell the driver that you are getting out at this destination.). Casa-Pueblo is a beautiful resort-museum near Punta del Este. It was created by Uruguayan artist Paez-Vilaró in a kind of mediterranean surrealistic architecture, making the whole place to look like a giant sculpture. He is the father of one of the survivors of the infamous plane crash on the Andes.
Shopping & Food:
Gorlero Avenue, a 10-minute walk from the pier, comprises the major shopping area with shops offering leather goods, semi-precious jewelry with agates and amethysts, and knitwear. Store hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The new Punta Shopping Mall is open every day from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Currency:
The Uruguayan currency is the peso. Prices are often quoted using the U$ symbol, which may be easily confused with the US$ (US dollar) symbol. 1 U$ (peso) = US$ 0.050 (five cents) 1 U$ (peso) = Euro 0,033 (three cents)
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are the most commonly used. ATMs may reject European or US credit cards.
Communication:
Spanish is spoken everywhere. Outside Montevideo and Punta del Este there are few English speakers.
Opening Hours & Holidays:
Shopping hours Mon-Fri 0900-1200 and 1400-1900, Sat 0900-1230.
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
6 Jan Epiphany.
Feb Carnival.
Maundy Thursday.
Good Friday.
Landing of the 33 Patriots.
1 May Labour Day.
Battle of Las Piedras.
19 Jun Birth of General Artigas (Día del Nunca Más).
18 Jul Constitution Day.
25 Aug National Independence Day.
Oct Día de la Raza.
2 Nov All Souls’ Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
Place Categories: Cruise Ports
