Punta del Este

The city is located on the intersection of Route 10 with Route 39, southeast of the department capital Maldonado and about 140 kilometres (87 mi) east of Montevideo.

The first Europeans to set foot in what is now Punta del Este were the Spanish at the beginning of the 16th century. However, the colonization of the area actually began around Maldonado at the end of the 18th century due to Portuguese expansionism. Punta del Este and its surroundings (Maldonado and Punta Ballena) at the end of the 19th century were kilometers of sand and dunes, but in 1896 Antonio Lussich bought 4,447 acres (1,800 ha) of uninhabited land and there he started a botanical garden, Arboretum Lussich, and planted trees and plants from all over the world. Later the trees started to spread on their own, and now the area is full of mostly Pines, Eucalyptus, Acacias and various species of bushes.

On 5 July 1907, it was declared a "Pueblo" (village) by Act of Ley 3.186.[6] Its status was elevated to "Ciudad" (city) on 2 July 1957 by the Act of Ley Nº 12.397.[7]

Punta del Este hosted an American Summit in 1967 attended by U.S. President Lyndon Johnson. In September 1986, Punta del Este played host to the start of the Uruguay Round of international trade negotiations. These negotiations ultimately led to the creation of the World Trade Organization in 1994.

During the 1970s, the city faced a decline in the number of tourists (specially from Argentina) as a result of both terrorist threats by the Tupamaros guerrilla organization and an increase in the number of working class hotels and less luxurious residences.[8]

Chiverta Ave. from Playa Brava (Rough Sea Beach) to Playa Mansa (back). Gorriti Island.

In 2011 Punta del Este city proper had a population of 9,277[1] and 23,954 households and apartments.[9] According to the Intendencia Departamental de Maldonado, the municipality of Punta del Este has an area of 48 km² (19 sq mi) and a population of 15,000.[10]

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay[6]

Argentines, Brazilians and Europeans are gradually choosing Punta del Este as their permanent residence. Some of the reasons are peace in the midst of nature and increasing educational offerings.[11]

Punta del Este has an oceanic climate (Cfb, according to the Köppen climate classification), with pleasant summers and cool winters. Because of the average temperature of the hottest month near 22 °C, the climate is close to a humid subtropical climate (Cfa).[12] It is similar to southeastern Australia.[13] The precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year, with an average of 1,010 mm (40 in). The hottest month, February, has an average temperature of 21.7 °C (71.1 °F), and the coldest month, July, has an average of 11.5 °C (52.7 °F). The average yearly temperature is 16.4 °C (61.5 °F).

Playa El Emir.

Punta del Este's scenic coastline is divided in two regions: Brava (Spanish for "fierce") and Mansa (Spanish for "tame"). The limit between the two marks the end of the Río de la Plata and the beginning of the Atlantic Ocean, and split is signaled by the Mano de Punta del Este, which the sculptor designed to warn swimmers about the danger of rough waves. Beaches on the Mansa side feature thick and golden sand, while on the Brava side the sand is white and fine. Every beach of the peninsula has public access.

La Barra is popular for nautical sports and fishing during the day. At later hours, La Barra becomes a central attraction for the younger generation. Starting from the end of December through to the second week of January, this location becomes a place for the local people as well as tourists to gather at the night life festivities. Other areas include the resort of El Tesoro, Montoya beach, Bikini beach and Manantiales beach. These beaches are a favourite spot for younger people as well as for many celebrities from both Uruguay and Argentina.

Manantiales Beach at the sunset

Once abundant, southern right whales are re-colonizing in the area,[16] which helped create a whale sanctuary off Latin America,[17] whose establishment had been prevented for near a decade by whaling nations like Japan. Unlike the majority of Uruguayan coasts, appearances of orcas have been documented in the area; most notably around Isla de Lobos.[18][19]

The fingers of Punta del Este.

The city has much colonial architecture contrasting with more modern buildings. Nowadays it has a scenic shore, typical resort houses, modern buildings, a port with mooring capacity, department stores, restaurants, and pubs. There are several large houses, and gardens lined with plants.

An iconic and historic building rises on the 19th stop of the Brava Beach, the famous Hotel L'Auberge with its 70 year old water tower, continues to be a leader in hospitality and gastronomy with its unique rooms and still serving its traditional Belgian waffles with home made sauces.

Punta del Este was originally home to the first Conrad Hotel in South America.

Gorlero Avenue, the main avenue of Punta del Este has commercial galleries, restaurants, cinemas, casinos, shops.

Artigas square, over Gorlero Ave is the place where there is a popular handicraft market.[20]

Punta del Este is well known for organizing the summit in which the WTO was created. The Formula E has hosted several races, broadcast worldwide, in the city, based on its "absolutely landmark cityscape".[4] In 2017, the China-Latin America Forum took place in the Punta del Este Convention Center.[21]

Punta del Este Lighthouse

The lighthouse is 45 metres tall, and the crystal panels which are part of its illumination system were brought from France. It works by electricity, with acetylene gas as emergency backup. It is possible to climb the 150 steps of its spiral staircase.[25]

Sea lions on Isla de Lobos (Isle of the Seals)

Lighthouse of Punta del Este

The city is served by Capitán de Corbeta Carlos A. Curbelo International Airport, being the second most important of Uruguay, located near Laguna del Sauce on the outskirts of the city. This modern airport opened in 1996. It offers domestic and international flights within the region.

Punta del Este can be reached from Buenos Aires by ferryboat to Montevideo (the capital city), 140 km (87 mi) from Punta del Este, and then by car or bus.

Most international flights land at Carrasco International Airport around 115 km (71 mi) from Punta del Este. The bus companies Copsa and Cot connect the airport with Punta del Este, and there are several private taxi and remise services available.[26]

Also in the area is El Jagüel airport, which is very close to Punta del Este and Maldonado; decades ago it used to be its only international airport, now it is only used by small-sized private aircraft.

Punta del Este has numerous temples:

• Parish Church of Our Lady of Candelaria (Roman Catholic)
• Fátima Chapel (Roman Catholic)
• St. Raphael Chapel (Roman Catholic)
• Rafael Temple[27][28] (Jewish)
• Beit Yaacov[27][28] (Jewish)
• Beit Jabad[27][28] (Jewish-Chabad)

Among its attractions, the city offers music and cinema festivals, whale sightseeing, and "haute cuisine".[3]

The 2014 Punta del Este ePrix was the first race of the Formula E history in the Americas.

The city is host to the 2014 Punta del Este ePrix; the third round of the Formula E championship and opening date of the category in the Americas. The event's street circuit of 2.8 kilometers of length runs along Punta del Este's harbour and has been nicknamed the Monte Carlo of South America,.[29][30][31]

There is also the traditional Punta Del Este Sevens, a rugby competition that takes place in January since 1989.

• Margaret Cooper (1918–2016), British cryptographer, born in Punta del Este[32]
• Nahitan Nandez (1995-), Uruguayan football player, born in Punta del Este

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Punta del Este.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Punta del Este.

• Official site of Punta del Este municipality
• Punta del Este at Curlie