Piriapolis and Punta del Este: Uruguay’s Beaches, Punta del Este, Uruguay

You don’t usually think of going to a beach resort to enjoy its cooler climate, but that’s what they do in Uruguay. A cool breeze keeps the eastern coast from overheating, even in the middle of summer. With a variety of sandy beaches and a wide selection of coastal cities, there are many choices to be made. Two popular, yet very different beach towns are Piriapolis and Punta del Este. We’ll take you to both and let you decide which one appeals to you more.

Uruguay’s beach resorts line its southeastern edge, and are popular with Uruguayans, Argentines and Brazilians. Instead of scorching hot days, though, summer winds coming off the Atlantic Ocean keep temperatures moderate. The average summer high is only 23 °C (74°F), which was a welcome relief from the hot, humid days we recently experienced in Paraguay. These beach towns cool down considerably in the evenings. We visited in early January, the Uruguayan summer, and we had to wear sweaters at night.

Beginning with the laid-back city of Piriapolis (Piriápolis) tells you which one we prefer. The beach city feels like a step back into the1970s with its bungalow homes on residential streets, kids playing in the streets, and older, simpler hotels along the promenade. But if you like to lie on the beach, its moderate climate and soft sand make it a nice spot. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).