The main point behind a trip to Punta del Este is the beach, but if you must do other things besides lie in the sun, work on your tan, and check out hot bodies, then you'll find a few sights of interest. The symbol of Punta del Este is La Mano, a giant concrete hand sculpture rising out of the sands of the Atlantic across from the bus station. Creepy or playful, depending on your mood, it's a favorite photo-op for tourists and professional fashion shoots alike. The sculpture, by the Chilean artist Mario Irrarazabal, was inaugurated in 1981. On the tip of the peninsula, Puerto Punta del Este is pleasant for strolling and watching the boats come in, or trying to figure out who's who on the various yachts in season. A tranquil change of pace from the beach is the church Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, at the corner of Calle 12 or Virazon and Calle 5 El Faro, a beautiful sky-blue-and-white Victorian structure. Inside, you'll find high white arches and yellow walls punctuated by simple golden stained-glass crosses in the windows. Across the street is the Meteorological Station, Calle 5 (or El Faro) and Calle 10 (or Calle Dos de Febrero), a modern lookout tower built over a 100-year-old schoolhouse. Entry is free to the museum at its base, with old pictures of Punta and weather instruments. The tower is not always open, but it has a great view of the surroundings. Directly across the street is Faro de Punta del Este, the city's symbolic lighthouse, dating from 1860, at Calle 5 (or El Faro) and Calle 10 (or Calle Dos de Febrero). There is a lookout tower with free admission open to the public, but opening hours are sporadic. Plaza Artigas, at Gorlero and Arrecifes, has a daily artist market with souvenirs and crafts. Along Ruta 10, just outside of downtown La Barra is the Museo del Mar (tel. 042/771-817), an interesting museum with sea shells and other marine items that kids seem to like. It's open daily in summer from 10am to 10:30pm, and in winter from 11am to 6pm daily.
Travel Companies in Punta
Various travel companies in Punta del Este provide excursions and city tours. Novoturismo (tel. 042/493154) is in the Terminal de Omnibus and offers city tours. Alvaro Gimeno Turismo (tel. 042/490570; www.alvarogimenoturismo.com) is also located in the Terminal de Omnibus. They offer city tours as well as day trips to nearby cities such as Piriapolis. Call both ahead of time about English-language tours, which are not offered on a daily basis. Both pick up clients at their hotels for city tours, which generally last about 4 hours and cost $15 (£8.25).
