When traveling in Uruguay, the #1 thing to do is hit the beaches. The country's primary draw is its coastline, and the peak beach and tourism season runs from mid-December through February. It's very quiet the rest of the year. I visited in May, and even the most popular destinations were deserted.
The only benefit of visiting during the offseason is the ability to save a little money on travel costs. Still, I wanted to experience the country, so I pressed onward through Uruguay's most popular beaches in search of my little paradise. Here's what I found.
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Uruguay Beaches
5. Colonia del Sacramento
The historic town of Colonia del Sacramento is a short ferry ride from Buenos Aires, making it a popular day trip destination.
While there are no real beaches in Buenos Aires, there is a legitimate one in Colonia, making it an especially popular Summertime destination for tourists and porteños. But don't be fooled by the water. Like Buenos Aires, Colonia is situated along the Rio de la Plata, not the Atlantic Ocean.
Colonia offers the quickest and most accessible beach access from Buenos Aires, as long as you don't mind swimming in river water. I found Colonia to be a cute town, but it didn't appeal to me as a beach destination.
4. Montevideo
Uruguay's capital, Montevideo, is located a few hours east of Colonia by bus and along the Rio de la Plata. A long boardwalk connects a series of beaches along the city's coastline, making it a popular spot for walking, jogging, or biking.
Some beaches looked a little nicer than others, and I believe the best are located furthest from the city center. I imagine in the high season, people can be seen sunbathing and hanging out on the beaches throughout the city, but I didn't find any of them too attractive.
Montevideo may be a good option for those seeking to combine a beach by day with an active nightlife. However, if you're looking for a more idyllic and relaxing environment, then Montevideo may not hold much appeal.
3. Punta del Este
Take another short bus ride east of Montevideo, and you'll reach Punta del Este, the Monaco of South America. This once-sleepy fishing village has blown up into one of the hottest Summer destinations on the continent.
Due to its proximity to Argentina and Brazil, it attracts a large number of beachgoers during the high season. This is where South America's rich and beautiful go to party.
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Punta del Este feels like Miami Beach, and it's clear why it'd be a hot spot in the summer. Easily accessible beaches and a notoriously wild nightlife offer visitors the perfect recipe for a good time.
The rest of the year, it's a ghost town. Tall buildings filled with luxury condos stand dark and empty. The beautiful beaches are empty. And there's barely a tourist catching one of the colorful sunsets.
In the offseason, it's a complete bore. You feel the potential, but most clubs are closed or only open once a week.
2. Cabo Polonio
Hop another bus east for Cabo Polonio, a little hippie hamlet that still reflects the old-world ways of Uruguay's coastal fishing villages.
To access Cabo Polonio, you need to transfer from the bus to a special 4x4 "taxi," as the town does not have paved roads. Instead, the 4x4 shuttles visitors several times a day across the wide-open beach, distancing Cabo Polonio from the rest of civilization.
During the high season, Cabo Polonio attracts a bohemian crowd. Like Punta del Este, they're there to party, only on a budget, and prefer a more rural atmosphere.
During the low season, it's even more boring than Punta del Este, as only a few hostels remain open year-round, and I recall no restaurants. If you arrive without food, you will need to purchase it at one of the few small shops. Cabo Polonio has loads of character, but the beaches of Punta del Este are more beautiful.
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1. Punta del Diablo
Furthest east, near the Brazilian border, lies Punta del Diablo. This fishing village is what Punta del Este was like before developers took over.
When the bus drops you off in the middle of town, you'll step out onto dirt roads. Several popular hostels are located within a 5-minute walk, overlooking the main beach.
Seven or eight restaurants remain open all year, providing visitors in the offseason with a few meal options beyond cooking for themselves.
Montevideo's beaches were unattractive, and the urban environment was not relaxing. Punta del Este offered lovely beaches, but the city itself lacked character. Cabo Polonio offered character but with less attractive beaches.
Punta del Diablo hit the sweet spot for me. It had beautiful beaches, character, and a relaxing vibe. Despite being one of only a handful of tourists, I spent four nights in the area. I caught up on writing with an ocean view, took daily walks on the beach, and made the most of my alone time.
Punta del Diablo was the paradise I was seeking in Uruguay, and I imagine it attracts the kind of crowd I'd enjoy in the high season. A mix of backpackers and budget travelers would come from southern Brazil, Buenos Aires, and other parts of Uruguay to enjoy this little fishing village.
Cabo Polonio is too far from the main coastal highway to change much, but Punta del Diablo could become a mini Punta del Este. The dirt roads are paved, and small beach cabins are bulldozed for luxury condos. It's only a matter of time.
Uruguay offers many more beaches than those listed here, but these are the most popular stops along the coast for those with limited time.
Syed Rizwan says
Thanks a lot Dave to share us such a fantastic experience of Uruguay destinations. I inspired to read your article and I want to go there and will start my trip from Colonia del Sacramento as soon.
Dave says
Glad to hear it Syed.
Sam says
We just spent a few days in Punta del Este and La Paloma here in Uruguay. The beaches did indeed look lovely (and empty; it's March), but the weather was awful. We mostly sat inside watching the rain.
Dave says
Ah, that's a bummer Sam. Despite the lack of people, I managed to get through my 10 days with some clouds, but no real rain to speak of.
Richard Crest says
I would also do the same, whenever I travel to new places I always visit beaches first. I would love to see Uruguay beaches personally.
Bart Steenbergen says
My favorite beach is as well Punta Del Diablo - good surf spot and relaxing atmosphere. Which is what I look for in a beach. Not too quiet and not too busy, with a bar to get a beer and some food. What I miss in your list is a white-sand beach very close to Montevideo - El Pinar. As well the beach place called La Pedrera (during Carnaval the whole of Uruguay is going to that place).
Pasca says
Great to read about Uruguay. However having just spent a week on the coast in low season, I have to say I'm really surprised by your comments about cabo polonia's beaches. They were huge, unsoiled, and went on forever. I thought it was a stunning place. Far better than punta del este