Atlantic Coast

Region

Uruguay's beach coast. Punta del Este is the glamorous summer resort, with José Ignacio nearby, and the wilder coast of Rocha has the surf town of La Paloma, the car-free fishing village of Cabo Polonio with its sea lions, and the palm groves and forts of Santa Teresa. January and February are high season.

Atlantic Coast Cerro Catedral (Uruguay)Estadio Domingo BurgueñoSierra de las ÁnimasSierra CarapéCerro de las ÁnimasGorriti IslandCerro Pan de AzúcarIsla de LobosLaguna del SauceFortaleza de Santa TeresaSan Miguel national parkPunta del EsteLa Paloma, RochaPiriápolisLa Mano de Punta del EsteCabo PolonioParque nacional Cabo PolonioCasapuebloSanta Teresa National ParkMaldonadoRochaSan CarlosChuyLascanoCastillosPan de AzúcarAiguáVelázquezCebollatíLa Aguada y Costa Azul

Atlantic Coast essentials

Country: Uruguay
Driest months: Oct-Dec
Pay in: Peso ($)
Language: Spanish

Where to Go in Atlantic Coast

City Punta del Este Punta del EsteGlamorous beach resort City Piriápolis PiriápolisCoastal city in Maldonado, Uruguay City Maldonado MaldonadoCoastal city in Uruguay popular for tourism Island Cabo Polonio Cabo PolonioRemote coastal village famous for dunes and sea lions Island Gorriti Island Gorriti IslandSmall island off Punta del Este, natural reserve Island Isla de Lobos Isla de LobosSmall Uruguayan island with nature reserve and lighthouse History La Mano de Punta del Este La Mano de Punta del EsteIconic beachfront sculpture depicting a giant hand History Fortaleza de Santa Teresa Fortaleza de Santa TeresaCoastal 18th-century fortress near Rocha beaches Nature Cerro Catedral (Uruguay) Cerro Catedral (Uruguay)Uruguay's highest peak and popular local hiking destination Nature Sierra de las Ánimas Sierra de las ÁnimasScenic hill range with quartzite ridges Nature Sierra Carapé Sierra CarapéUruguayan hill range containing the country's highest elevations Nature Cerro de las Ánimas Cerro de las ÁnimasUruguay's highest natural point, rocky hill summit
Regions & Cities
Punta del Este Explore Punta del Este Punta del Este draws visitors to a narrow peninsula of beaches and harbors: sunbathers, yacht watchers and nightlife patrons converge on Brava’s surf, Playa Mansa’s calm waters, the iconic sculpture “La Mano,” and art-filled seaside villas. La Paloma, Rocha Explore La Paloma, Rocha On Uruguay’s Atlantic coast, La Paloma draws beachgoers for long sandy stretches, surf breaks, a working lighthouse and seafood restaurants that fill during summer months. Piriápolis Explore Piriápolis Crowned by Cerro San Antonio, Piriápolis was a turn-of-the-century resort with a promenade and hillside views. La Mano de Punta del Este Explore La Mano de Punta del Este On Punta del Este’s Playa Brava, La Mano is a large concrete sculpture emerging from sand; visitors stop for photographs, beachgoing and the city’s seasonal nightlife. Cabo Polonio Explore Cabo Polonio Cabo Polonio is a remote sand-dune village on Uruguay’s Rocha coast reachable by tracked vehicle; visitors come for dunes, a nearby sea-lion colony and an off-grid atmosphere with limited infrastructure. Parque nacional Cabo Polonio Explore Parque nacional Cabo Polonio Remote coastal park in Rocha Department with high sand dunes, a lighthouse and large sea lion colonies offshore. Casapueblo Explore Casapueblo Built by artist Carlos Páez Vilaró near Punta del Este, Casapueblo functions as museum, gallery and hotel with whitewashed terraces and cliff-top sea views; many visitors time visits for sunset. Santa Teresa National Park Explore Santa Teresa National Park Coastal park in Rocha with dunes, beaches and maritime forest; visitors camp, surf, birdwatch and walk trails that cross pine plantations and Atlantic shoreline.

Atlantic Coast at a Glance

Local Time
8:38 PM
GMT-3
Population
293,551

Best Things to Do in Atlantic Coast