La Mano (The Hand)
A sculpture of fingers rising from the sand of Brava beach, made by Chilean artist Mario Irarrazabal. It is one of the best-known landmarks in Punta del Este.
Punta del Este
Summer nightlife, a giant hand sculpture and the nearby Casapueblo are part of what this glamorous beach resort is known for.
Attractive locations
Gorriti Island
A small, wooded island just off the peninsula, reached by boat. It has quiet beaches, walking paths and the remains of old military buildings from colonial times.
Casapueblo
A white, sculpted cliffside building designed by the artist Carlos Páez Vilaró as a home and studio. It has a gallery and a terrace known for sunset views over the ocean.
Isla de Lobos
A rocky island and nature reserve that is home to a large colony of South American sea lions. Boat trips from Punta del Este let visitors watch them from the water.
Arboretum Lussich
A large woodland garden near the coast planted by a local businessman with trees from several continents. Walking paths wind past eucalyptus, pines and shaded viewpoints over the sea.
Brava Beach
The ocean-facing beach on the east side of the peninsula, with strong waves that attract surfers and body boarders, and home to the giant hand sculpture.
Mansa Beach
The calmer, bay-side beach on the west of the peninsula, with gentler waves that suit families and swimmers, and good views at sunset across the water.
Airports
Capitan Corbeta CA Curbelo International Airport PDP
It is about 18 km in a straight line from Punta del Este.
Carrasco General Cesáreo L. Berisso International Airport MVD
It is about 100 km in a straight line from Punta del Este.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Uruguay page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan22.3 °C97 mm
- Feb22.2 °C118 mm
- Mar20.8 °C117 mm
- Apr18.1 °C110 mm
- May14.9 °C91 mm
- Jun12.1 °C104 mm
- Jul10.6 °C96 mm
- Aug11.5 °C100 mm
- Sep12.5 °C98 mm
- Oct15.0 °C103 mm
- Nov17.7 °C93 mm
- Dec20.3 °C86 mm
Driest months: May, Nov, Dec. Wettest months: Feb, Mar, Apr.
Costs
Prices here are about 66% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
nature
Punta del Este summer season
Prices reach their peak in January, during the high season for beaches.
nature
Punta del Este summer season
Prices reach their peak in January, during the high season for beaches.
Who can help
Emergency
911 for all emergencies.
ngo
Uruguayan Red Cross (Cruz Roja Uruguaya)
Helps with: National Red Cross society. It trains people in first aid, runs emergency response and disaster risk work, and has a service to help people who have lost contact with relatives reconnect.
Who qualifies: People in Uruguay needing its first aid, emergency response or family contact services.
Phone: +598 2480 1956
Email: cruzroja@cruzroja.org.uy
Address: 8 de Octubre 2990, Montevideo 11600
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Uruguay
Helps with: The UN migration agency, present in Uruguay since 1956. It supports migrants, displaced people, returnees and host communities, with work on migration management and crisis response.
Who qualifies: Migrants, displaced people and returnees in Uruguay. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +598 290 44064
Address: Edificio Plaza Mayor, Plaza Independencia 831, Oficina 508, Montevideo
local government
Emergency number 911 (police, ambulance and fire)
Helps with: Reaches police, ambulance and fire services. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 911