Beaches, Islands and Wine: Punta del Este

Most days in Punta del Este fall into three blocks: a beach, a boat or a long lunch inland. This page lists each choice with the practical details you need to match it to the weather and the season.

The two sides of the peninsula

  • West, Playa Mansa. This is the bay side, looking toward Isla Gorriti. Calm water makes it the one for paddling, relaxed swimming and stand-up paddleboards, and the view at sunset is good.
  • East, Playa Brava. This side meets the open Atlantic. Expect waves, which is why surfing and bodyboarding happen here, and expect rip currents (corrientes de resaca). Go into the water only where lifeguards have marked a swimming zone. Some paradas have no lifeguard service, and in February 2025 a drowning took place at one of them.

Beach flags in Maldonado are green, yellow or red. In storms a black flag may go up.

Lifeguard dates

The Maldonado lifeguard brigade is seasonal. For the 2025-26 summer it started on 14 November, working weekends until December and every day from then until 5 April. The Intendencia de Maldonado publishes the dates for each new season, so confirm them before you rely on a staffed beach in spring or autumn.

On the water

  • Isla de Lobos, roughly 8 km southeast of the peninsula, is home to sea lions and fur seals and has a lighthouse dating to 1858. Under the 2024 decree that protects it, nobody may step onto the island, so you see the colony from the boat. Do not touch or feed the animals. If an operator advertises a guided dive or swim with sea lions, choose a licensed one and keep your distance.
  • Isla Gorriti, about 2.5 km from Playa Mansa, is a short boat ride of around 15 minutes from the port. Expect beaches, walking paths and old cannons. Departures depend on the season, so check at the port.

Inland: Bodega Garzón

The winery is on Camino Arco del Sol, about an hour’s drive from the peninsula. Menus cost UYU 3,900 (Garzón) or UYU 5,000 (Fire) per person. Reserve 24 hours before you go; the first seating is at 12:30. The restaurant page has the full details.

Seasonal tips

  • December to February is the peak, and the first fortnight of January is the most crowded.
  • From March to November, many beach clubs, restaurants and some museums open fewer days or close.
  • The US State Department lists Uruguay at Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) for crime; check travel.state.gov before you book.

Read more: Sightseeing and Attraction tours . Compare boat trips on Viator .