In depth
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Península
The peninsula of Punta del Este is a piece of land that divides the Rio de la Plata and the Atlantic Ocean. It is about 15 blocks long, and five across. All its streets are named after marine elements (nautical instruments, seabirds, etc.), but everybody refers to them by their number. The...
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Ciudad Jardín
The vast area we have decided to call the “Garden City” is in reality the sum total of the residential areas that appeared as Punta del Este grew. Like the rest of the peninsula, these areas used to be sand dunes, with hardly any vegetation at all, and with an ever-changing aspect because of the...
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Punta Ballena
Punta Ballena (Whale Point) is a rocky point that originates in the Sierra de la Ballena, and continues into the River Plate for a few hundred meters. It is the natural limit between Portezuelo Bay and Maldonado Bay. Though sightings of whales in the area are not unusual, the name originates in the...
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La Barra
Contrary to popular belief, La Barra was created as tourist resort and was not originally a fishing village, though fishing - especially the species corvina negra - is a classic of the area. The inhabitants of the city of San Carlos, which is inland, were the first to build houses there. The...
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José Ignacio
José Ignacio is a rocky peninsula that finds its way into the Atlantic Ocean, with natural bays to each side forming two very different beaches. Playa Mansa lies towards the west, with a beautiful view to the sunset. Like its namesake in Punta del Este, it is usually calm and protected from the...
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Maldonado
The city of Maldonado is the capital of the department of the same name. It was founded in 1757 when the governor of Montevideo, José Joaquín de Viana decided to move the small settlement on the shores of Laguna del Diario to the present site of the San Fernando Square. Since then, the former town...
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San Carlos
San Carlos was founded by Pedro de Ceballos in the area called “Maldonado Chico” on 18 September 1763, with Portuguese families who were left homeless after the capture of the Santa Teresa Fortress. The city became a strategic defence point of the Spanish Empire, and its name honours King Carlos...
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Piriápolis
The city of Piriápolis is the fruit of the vision and efforts of one man: Francisco Piria. In 1890 Piria bought all the land between the Pan de Azúcar hill and the coast from the heirs of General Leonardo Olivera, who owned a ranch that covered the whole area. Right from the start Piria’s idea...
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Pan de Azúcar
The city of Pan de Azúcar was founded in 1874 by Félix de Lizarza. It's a typical city of the country's interior, evolved at the time by the passing of the railway and for being almost over the important Route 9, which goes through all the southern and eastern provinces that have coasts.
Knowing Punta del Este
How to conduct in Punta del Este
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Punta del Este boasts beautiful beaches. Miles of coast are there for your enjoyment. You can opt for the calm waters of the Maldonado and Portezuelo Bays from which you can see the sunset, or choose the open seas and high waves of the Atlantic coast, where you can watch the sun rise after an all...
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The department of Maldonado has very rich and varied natural attractions. Its shifting territory gives the opportunity of enjoying navigable lagoons and creeks, climbable mountain ranges and hills, and natural caves with its curious histories. From this natural offer, we provide you with information...
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Punta del Este has few museums, however they are all very interesting and appealing for the tourists. From invaluable pre-columbian, native and colonial art collection, to the most important latin american contemporary art collection in the world. Among the first, you can find the Museo de Arte...
