Uruguay's Best Seaside Towns To Visit

A spotlight on South America’s beaches will always conjure up Brazil’s golden shores. But head a bit further south and you’ll discover an unspoiled coastline minus the crowds. Uruguay’s beach towns are one of the best-kept secrets in this part of the world, where shabby chic huts dot a rugged seashore of rocky outcrops and sparkling sands. Rent a car, pack a towel and hit Route 10 to explore Uruguay’s best seaside towns.

La Pedrera

Named after the strange rock formations that have been known to wash up on its shore, La Pedrera is Rocha’s centre of cool, with a dramatic 30-mile beach, a rusting shipwreck and seafood shacks galore. Stop by Petisco for creative pizzas and the best mojito outside of Cuba.

When the sun goes down in La Pedrera, the atmosphere starts to buzz, with impromptu beach parties that linger on beyond the dawn.

If glamping’s more your thing, head to nearby Pueblo Barrancas. At this eco-friendly resort, you can rent a cabaña or a tent on stilts in the forest that lines the coast. Fire up an asado under the stars and take a moonlit walk along the beach to complete the fairy tale.

Petisco, Avenida Principal/Palmares de Rocha, La Pedrera, Uruguay, +598 0 9505 1210

Pueblo Barrancas, Ruta 10 – Km 227, 5, San Sebastián de la Pedrera, Uruguay, +598 4479 2236

Punta del Este

Uruguay’s answer to Miami, Punta del Este explodes in the summer, with wealthy Brazilians and Argentineans flocking to sun themselves on the city’s golden beaches.

Exclusive, bustling and a little pricey during the high season, the city teems with swanky restaurants and cocktail joints. Stop by The Grand Hotel for a pre-dinner aperitif. The next morning, head out to explore the Yacht Harbour, take a tour of Casapueblo or wander over to the breezy Playa Brava for an Instagram-worthy snap with the famous Hand in the Sand. Keep an eye out for celebrities en route.

After a day on the sands, the party gets underway. Head east to La Barra or west to Punta Ballena when the clock strikes twelve for the pick of the best nightclubs within the city limits.

The Grand Hotel, Rambla Lorenzo Batlle Pacheco y Avenida Del Mar, Punta del Este, Uruguay, +598 4249 1234

Casapueblo, Camino a la Ballena, Punta Ballena, Uruguay, +598 4257 8041

Jose Ignacio

Effortlessly fashionable and undeniably chic, Jose Ignacio is the place to see and be seen in Uruguay right now. A refuge for the famous faces that frequent Punta del Este, Jose Ignacio has all the charm of a rural fishing village with the added bonus of the envy-inducing boutique hotel Casa Suaya and foodie destination La Huella – an elegant beach hut serving fire-roasted meats, icy caipiroskas and calamari that’s to die for.

Dart between the Porsches to get to the beach, where you’ll find yourself nestled between bronzed models and sunbathing celebrities. Don’t miss the town’s boutique art galleries, like Galería Los Caracoles, and live music events (if you can wangle an invite).