Things To Do in Punta del Este

The main reason to visit Punta del Este is the beach, but you'll also 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, opposite the bus station. On the tip of the peninsula, Puerto Punta del Este is pleasant for strolling and watching the boats come in. 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 (or El Faro), a beautiful sky-blue-and-white Victorian structure. Across the street is the Meteorological Station, Calle 5 and Calle 10 (or Calle Dos de Febrero), a modern lookout tower built over a 100-year-old schoolhouse. Directly across the street is Faro de Punta del Este, the city's symbolic lighthouse, dating from 1860, at Calle 5 and Calle 10. Plaza Artigas, at Gorlero and Arrecifes, has a daily artist market with souvenirs and crafts. Along Ruta 10, just outside downtown La Barra, is the Museo del Mar (tel. 042/771-817: www.museodelmar.com.uy), an interesting museum open daily in summer from 10:30am to 8:30pm, and in winter daily from 11am to 6pm. Admission is U$100 for adults and U$50 for children.

The majority of shops run along Avenida Gorlero and Calle 20, also known as El Remanso, or the Little Paris. Many stores do not open until the evening. For leather goods, try Leather Corner, Calle 31 at Inzaurraga and Gorlero (tel. 042/441901). Duo, Calle 20 at Calle 30 (tel. 042/447709), is an upscale sportswear store for men and women. 100% Uruguayo, Gorlero 883 at Calle 28 (tel. 042/446530), has a large collection of handmade and distinctive locally produced goods; leather is the highlight. Punta Shopping is the main mall, Avenida Roosevelt at Parada 7 (tel. 042/489666; www.puntashopping.com.uy). Plaza Artigas, at Gorlero and Arrecifes, has a daily artist market with souvenirs and crafts. The town of La Barra is better known for its art galleries, including the popular Trench Gallery, Ruta 10, Km 161, Parada 45 (tel. 042/771597).

The Conrad Resort & Casino, Parada 4, Playa Mansa (tel. 042/491-111), is the focal point for evening entertainment in Punta, featuring Las Vegas-style reviews and other music, dance, and magic shows -- sometimes around the torch-lit swimming pools. The enormous 24-hour casino has tables playing baccarat, roulette, blackjack, poker, dice, and a fortune wheel.

Bars and clubs come and go with frequency in Punta, often changing names. The best bar is Moby Dick, at Rambla de la Circunvalación (tel. 042/441-240), near the yacht harbor. Company Bar, Calle 29 and Calle 18 (tel. 042/440-130), is another popular downtown drinking spot and has live music at weekends. Punta's bronzed Latin bodies then make their way to Gitane and La Plage (tel. 042/484-869), two nearby clubs on Rambla Brava, Parada 12. La Barra, 10km (6 miles) to the north, has become the main strip for bars and clubs that perennially change name and location.