In 1907, the windswept stretch of coastline in Uruguay we now know as Punta del Este, welcomed its first tourists. A handful of families from Argentina and Montevideo boarded the Golondrina vessel and set out to discover the raw beaches and rich farmland that dot the peninsula. Since then, Punta del Este has seen its fair share of vacationers from the surrounding areas but has largely evaded the global tourist circuit, and that is what makes it magic.
While it is referred to as «The Hamptons or St.Tropez of South America,» only four airports fly directly to Punta del Este. Its remote location is exactly what’s put it on the map. Apart from a buzzy season from mid-December to mid-February, it remains a calm, paradisical haven for locals. For the majority of the year, its galleries, boutiques, and beaches exist for the few who cherish the quiet of the off-season.
Punta del Este’s rolling coastline is divided into two regions. There is Brava meaning «fierce» and Mansa meaning «tame,» referring to the oceanic currents present in each. The coast has long served as inspiration for artists, and has since become a free-spirited haven filled with the hotels, restaurants, and shops that have sprung from it. So to all of you art lovers looking for a must-hit list, this is it.
Where to Stay:
From design-forward bed and breakfasts to art-filled hotels, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to accommodation in Punta Del Este. In the peninsula’s two trendiest regions, La Barra and José Ignacio, families and larger chains alike have dreamt up properties that have become destinations in their own right.
In the bohemian town of La Barra, the most luxurious stay is undoubtedly Fasano Las Piedras, a hotel that reveals itself as an architectural jewel surrounded by nature. Laid across almost 1,000 acres of bountiful farmland, guests can swim in a river club, relax at a spa, set off on a horse ride, and plenty more without leaving the property. Its neighbor, Aguaverde Wine Lodge, is similarly luxurious but uniquely positioned atop a sprawling vineyard with jogging trails and artfully-designed rooms and villas. Those looking for a more boutique experience will be enchanted by the adults-only utopia that is Casa Flor. With a permanent and dynamic exhibition of works by local artist Nicolás Caubarrere, this stay is only one block from the beach.
In José Ignacio, the once secluded fishing village turned South American hotspot, there are a handful of imaginative hotels. Amidst its dirt roads and grassy dunes, a variety of stays have risen in response to the artsy crowds it attracts. There’s Posada Ayana, a sunny, design-forward stay adorned in objects from an array of local craftspeople and artisans. A few steps away, Posada del Faro, a lesser-known boutique, emulates the barefoot minimalism and laid-back nature that is infamous in José Ignacio. On the high-end side, modern luxury abounds at Playa Vik, where an infinity pool was designed so that the sun sets in its center on the longest day of the year.
What to Do:
Punta del Este draws in those with a flair for the finer things. And one of those fine things is, of course, art. The Fundación Pablo Atchugarry, founded by the Uruguayan sculptor from which it gets its name, is a lush dreamscape where art and nature intertwine in a playful union. From this garden gallery to a beachfront display, you couldn’t talk about art in Punta del Este without mentioning Casa Pueblo. Initially built by the Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró as a summer home and workshop, today it boasts a museum, an art gallery, and a hotel in a surrealist structure with idyllic sunset views over the Atlantic Ocean.
Those with an affinity for the contemporary will be delighted to know that James Turrell’s first Skyspace in South America is found just steps from José Ignacio’s Playa Mansa. In late 2021, the artist unveiled Ta Khut, the temple-like structure topped with a 20-foot dome made of white marble sourced from the Laas Valley in Italy. There are indeed more traditional art-going experiences, with several galleries, fashion boutiques, and design shops that attract global attention. A few recognized favorites include Monoccino, La Boutique Paris, Galería del Paseo, La Esteña, Sentido José Ignacio, and Xippas Gallery.
While there is plenty of art to look at, Punta del Este is also laden with all kinds of adventures for art lovers. With an outpost in The Hamptons, an open-level Vinyasa class at The Shack Yoga is as artful as it is spiritual. An equally meditative scene, the lush Arboretum Lussich is a botanical garden and museum spread over 470 acres and planted with trees and flowers from all over the world. Of course, a trip to a coast blessed with infamous breaks would be incomplete without a surf lesson. And you can finds yours at the Escuela de Surf La Olla on Playa Brava.
Where to Eat:
Whether on a canvas or a plate, art is not a singular endeavor in Punta del Este. It’s one that transcends tradition and ends up in a multitude of mediums, including restaurants. Perhaps the most recognized is Francis Mallman’s Garzon, who uses his famous earth oven, grill, and fire stoves fueled with a wood fire to give personality and color to regional dishes. While Garzon takes you inland, Parador La Huella is the sand-bottomed, beachfront eatery you’ve most likely come to Punta del Este to find. With a breezy ambiance and weathered decor, this spot epitomizes the essence of beach culture. While you’re at it, don’t miss Marismo, a wood-oven restaurant in the dunes of José Ignacio that acts as an open-aired canvas painted with the sky above you and sands below you.
Fuente: Forbes
