A mass of high-rise buildings traces the arc of a golden beach, mirrored on two sides of a narrow peninsula. Gleaming yachts bob in the harbour, flying flags from all over the world. Teenagers stroll chatting along the seafront. Young families assemble deckchairs beneath stocky palm trees on the grassy verge of the beach, enjoying picnics whilst watching white sailing boats traversing the bay at an angle against the strong sea breeze.
This is Punta del Este, known equally as a holiday destination for wealthy Latin Americans and as a day trip from Montevideo for more ordinary folk.
How do you get to Punta del Este?
You can take a day trip to Punta del Este from Montevideo on the bus. It takes about two and a half hours each way. You can buy bus tickets at Terminal Tres Cruces in Montevideo – you have to buy them from the specific bus company, of which there are several which run the journey. The bus will drop you off at the bus terminal in Punta del Este and from there it is a short walk to the beach.
How long should you spend in Punta del Este?
In my view, four or five hours in Punta del Este is enough to have a nice meal in one of the seafood restaurants overlooking the marina, peruse the yachts moored there, walk down the seafront among the palm trees and spend some time relaxing on the beach.
Unless you are there for a specific event or a cruise, there is not a huge amount to do in Punta del Este. It’s just a nice place to be and makes for a fun day trip from Montevideo.
