Uruguay travel blog by Mark Berman -
September 2013
November 2019
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View Photoset (55 Photos)
I have visited Punta del Este (East Point) twice now. The 'point' has a distinct beach on each side, there's a calm side and
a rough side. Brava Beach (Playa Brava) is where you will find the surfers riding the waves that come crashing in onto the shore.
While Mansa Beach (Playa Mansa) is calm with the yacht club, sail boats moored and with people relaxing along the white sands.
Apartments line the street at the back of Mansa Beach and the locals love to walk and exercise on the boardwalk that runs
right around the bay. Punta del Este has many other unique sights and activities to enjoy around town and is a great place for
a luxury holiday and also makes a great backpackers stop too. Maldonado (10mins) and Piriapolis (25mins) are both nearby
with Montevideo a couple of hours west. Brava Beach & Los Dedos (The Hand)
Playa Brava is a nice long 'n' wide beach with white sands Here you will find the huge hand monument
called Los Dedos (fingers). This is one of those 'must have a photo taken here' places! The surf club is here and the beach
caters to surfers and the younger crowd.
Sights Around Town
To the main square Plaza General Artigas which also doubles as the Arts and Crafts Fair on
certain days. The plaza is surrounded by many palm trees and has a central statue of Jose G. Artigas - the national hero.
There is both a Burger King and a McDonalds near the plaza. Other sights around town include Imperiale Art Gallery, La Vista
(museum, art gallery and panoramic views), Plaza de Bersaglieri Italiani and the bull sculpture near the sea called El Rapto
de Europa (1962) by Oscar Alvarino.
Mansa Beach, Waterfront, Bay & Port
On the side of Mansa Beach, the waters here are nice and calm. Totally unlike the rough sea and waves
crashing onto Brava Beach. A wooden boardwalk goes around the bay, boats sit peacefully in the water, the shoreline is rocky
and a pair of huge anchor monuments sit on the grassy bank. Sights along this side of the point include Plaza Juan Ortholan,
the Yacht Club, the Navy Base and the White Palace at the far end.
The Historic Zone
The historic zone in Punta del Este is out towards the point
around Plaza del Faro. Here you can see the lighthouse - Faro de Punta del Este (1860), the weather station, police station,
the first school (1896) and church (Parroquia Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria).
Onward Travel
From Punta del Este I traveled onward to
Punta del Diablo (3hrs 30mins).