PUNTA DEL ESTE, the Saint Tropez of
Uruguay
The eastern spit of land separating the Atlantic Ocean from the Rio del
la Plata was once known to sailors and fishermen as Cabo Santa María.
Today, called Punta del Este this area is known worldwide as a scenic
resort area with miles of beautiful beaches, luxury hotels and
restaurants, glittery nightlife and an upscale summer population.
For decades Punta del Este was an exclusive resort for wealthy South
Americans, and it is still expensive, but not as much as famed European
and US resort areas. The city and resort appeal has attracted multiple
governments to hold summit meetings there.
A new casino, more luxurious restaurants and hotels, never ending
sports acitivities, plenty of natural attractions, shops, nightclubs and
a temperate climate beckon to international travelers. The local pines
scent the air and add to the sense of relaxation.
Punta del Este offers twenty miles of pristine beaches. Mansa, or gentle beach, is on the bay side, while the one facing the Atlantic is Brava.
Photo. These are terrifically crowded during the summer season, which
begins in December and ends in March. Locals use other beaches, notably
to La Barra del Maldonado, a beautiful inlet that flows
from the back bay area of Maldonado out to the Atlantic
Ocean.
One of the city landmarks are the Dedos, fingers, in the sand at Playa Brava.
La Barra is also the center of youth oriented
activities, from daytime sports on the fine sandy beach to all night
discos. To get to this small village, you cross an unusual bridge shaped
like an easy roller
coaster. With all
the water surrounding Punta del Este, sailing is popular and large
marinas attract an international flotilla.
Punta del Este offers a relaxed life style. It is
geared to vactioners who get a late morning start. Hotel dining rooms
and services may be open before noon, but the rest of the city may not
be. Dinner’s are late, at 10 PM or later, and discos go until dawn,
allowing revelers to see both the sun rise and set over water.
Attractions
– Faro de Punta del Este - The lighthouse dates from 1860,
built by Tomás Libarena. The crystal prisms were brought from
France.
- Casa del Pueblo - Once the home of celebrated
Uruguayan artist Carlos Paez Vilaro, this eye-catching seaside
Mediterranean-style structure is today a modern art
museum.
- Isla Gorriti - Catch a frequent boat ride for the 2
km trip to the island for more beaches, ancient fortifications and
greenery.
- Isla de Lobos - 8 km from land, the island is by one
of the world’s largest sea-lion colonies. There is a lighthouse on the
island.
- Parque Municipal - Take a sunset or evening stroll
along Gorlero, Punta del Este main place to see and be seen. In the
space of a few blocks, you’ll find restaurants, bars, shops, cinemas,
the Feria Artesanal.
The nearby city of Maldonado has several interesting
attractions: - From Plaza San Fernando, visit the Diligencia de Castells Capurro the neo-Classic Catedral San Fernando,
dating from 1895 and now an historic
monument
- Cuartel de Dragones , military headquarters constructed between 1771 and 1797 - Marco de los Reyes in the Plaza Torre del Vigía.
This white and rose marble marker was created in Lisbon in 1753 and
erected to mark the division between Spanish and Portuguese holdings in
South America according to the 1750 Treaty of Madrid.
In the off-season, Punta del Este is more relaxed and
resembles any resting seaside resort. Many of the restaurants and shops
close, but the beautiful beaches are still there.
¡Hola! Our Spanish school in Uruguay is located in the capital Montevideo, within walking distance of both the city centre and the beach. We offer Intensive Spanish Courses || Spanish Immersion Programs Choose a Spanish course at our school in Montevideo and you’ll experience high quality teaching and professional organisation within a personal, family-run environment.
jueves, 27 de septiembre de 2012
miércoles, 26 de septiembre de 2012
Hoy vamos al campo...
Disfrutamos una tarde en un entorno
totalmente natural, en el campo una hora de Montevideo. Se puede caminar o andar a caballo. Después
tomamos café o té con algo dulce. We’re going to enjoy a day in a completely natural
environment, in the countryside one hour from Montevideo. You can walk or ride
a horse. Afterwards we will have coffee or tea and something sweet.
Suscribirse a:
Entradas (Atom)