Guided Outings Around Punta del Este

Punta del Este is not a city of guided tours. The sights are spread along the coast, and most are visited by yourself with a taxi or a rental car. A small number of outings are worth booking ahead, and this page covers them one by one.

Isla de Lobos boat trip. The island lies about 8 km southeast of the peninsula and shelters sea lions and fur seals. It is protected, and the 2024 decree bans landing for tourism or recreation, so the visit is made from the water. Direct contact with the animals is prohibited. Some operators market a guided dive or swim with sea lions; pick a licensed operator and stay at a respectful distance.

Isla Gorriti boat. A crossing from the port takes about 15 minutes. The island has beaches and old cannons, and is listed as National Heritage together with Isla de Lobos. Fares and timetables change by season and operator.

Whale watching. Boat trips for southern right whales are offered, roughly from winter to spring. Ask the operator about the season before you pay.

Bodega Garzón. Visits and tastings are on offer at the winery in Garzón. The restaurant menus are UYU 3,900 and UYU 5,000 per person, with seatings from 12:30 and 24 hours of notice. See the Bodega Garzón restaurant page .

Casapueblo. The museum at Punta Ballena is open daily from 10:00 until sunset. Tickets cost UYU 600, or UYU 500 for residents and visitors over 65, and children under 12 pay nothing. The Casapueblo site has more.

Free attractions to add

Museo Ralli and MACA both charge no admission. MACA, on Ruta 104 at km 4.5 in Manantiales, opens Wednesday to Monday from 10:00 to 18:00. Ralli’s hours vary by month, and in April, May, October and November it is open at weekends only.

Limits to know

There is no landing on Isla de Lobos, whichever boat you choose. On land, the main sights charge their own entry or none at all, so a guide is optional for the museums, La Mano and the bridges.

Choosing between them

For a first visit, the Isla de Lobos boat gives the most distinctive outing, because the colony cannot be reached any other way. Isla Gorriti suits a relaxed half day with swimming from the Mansa side. The winery and Casapueblo each fit a half day by road, and they sit in opposite directions from the peninsula: Casapueblo about 13 km west, and Garzón inland. Pair one boat outing with one road outing per day.

Booking tips

Reserve early in the peak, which runs roughly December to February. In the cooler months, confirm that your boat is running before you travel.

Read more: Sightseeing and Walking tours . Compare tours on GetYourGuide .