🇺🇾 Uruguay
“South America's glamorous Riviera”
Avg. Ships / Day
Avg. Time in Port
Peak Season
Feb – Mar
43 sailings over the next 12 months
Based on cruises available on Cruisello
Punta del Este is a resort peninsula at the southeastern tip of Uruguay, where the Río de la Plata meets the Atlantic. Ships anchor offshore, and tenders bring passengers to a small pier in the harbour. The town draws wealthy Argentines and Brazilians in summer (December through February), and the main strip fills with upscale restaurants, galleries, and designer shops. In the off-season it is noticeably quieter. The Hand in the Sand sculpture on Brava beach is the most photographed landmark. Casapueblo, a whitewashed hotel and museum built by artist Carlos Páez Vilaró, sits on a clifftop south of town and looks like something between Santorini and a sandcastle. The harbour-side fish market has good, cheap seafood. The currency is the Uruguayan peso, though many shops accept US dollars. Beaches on the Plata side have calmer water; the Atlantic side gets more surf.
Top-rated shore excursions that fit a typical ~9h port call
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews.
Starting prices per person. We may earn a commission when you book through our partner links — at no extra cost to you.
5-Day Forecast
Sail to Punta del Este for $649pp
Compare 43 upcoming sailings.
