What To Do Instead of Punta del Este
Punta Del Este has many nicknames. Saint Tropéz of South America. Miami of Argentina (yes, it’s in Uruguay). It is big, loud and luxurious. High rises tower over the beaches. Famous DJs spin at the hottest nightclubs. Luxury shopping abounds. It’s the place to see and be seen. But if that’s not your scene, we can definitely recommend some alternatives!
La Barra
This is the next town north of Punta Del Este. Entered via a wavy bridge designed to mirror the waves of the ocean, it is filled with shops and a cute little beach. Expect to see rich Argentinian families vacationing here. Think Abbot Kinney meets Tulum, but with kids and surfing. We enjoyed strolling the streets, people watching, and enjoying the sunset from the beach.
Manantiales
After La Barra and Montoya Beach, you arrive in Manantiales – home of Bikini Beach. This is a favorite beach of many celebrities, as well as locals. We found a few excellent restaurants instead of the overpriced, name-brand shops found in La Barra. We spent our best full beach day at Bikini Beach. Lucky for us it wasn’t the crowded the day we went.
José Ignacio
Another 20 minutes up the coast sits José Ignacio. Another family-friendly destination that also appeals to wealthy couples. The downtown is modern, chic, and better organized than most. Cute shops and chic restaurants dot the streets just inland from a beautiful beach and lighthouse. We strolled along the beach and in town to get a feel for the place. After walking we enjoyed a very expensive and touristy but delicious meal at Parador La Huella. This place is on the top 50 restaurants of South America. If you’re a two top, you can be seated pretty quickly. However if you’re a larger group (like most of the families trying to eat there) get a reservation ahead of time online.
Garzón
Francis Mallmann’s highly-rated restaurant is in an abandoned mining town about an hour into the foothills up above José Ignacio. We opted to skip the restaurant (since it would set us back a week’s buget). We instead decided to visit the number two rated winery in the world – Bodega Garzón. Most of the drive is along a red, dirt road. So it is pretty incredible to turn the corner and see the architecturally spectacular winery. Three tastes and a tour cost $22. We saw their incredible production facility and tasting room/restaurant. The building was gorgeous and extremely environmentally friendly. The views from the top of the hill are worth the visit, though the wines were not our style.
Overall, this area is extremely overpriced – beyond just typical tourist pricing. However, we loved the quaint towns outside Punta del Este. It was the perfect way to relax after a day at a world-class beach. If you’re planning a trip to Punta Del Este, consider staying beyond it!
