Uruguay Resort Punta Del Este

La Mano ~ The Hand in the Sand

La Mano -- the concrete fingers/ hand in the sand -- is the work of Mario Irrarazabal, a Chilean artist. La Mano is at Playa Brava.

Punta is a port of call for many South American cruise ships, and La Mano is a must-take photo!

Street scene in Punta Del Este Uruguay

This mid-week day, rain kept threatening but managed to hold off, though skies stayed cloudy, and few people were on the beaches that surround the downtown area shown here.

There are almost as many motorbikes as cars. De-commissioned red phone booths from the UK add ambiance to the streetscape.

Furniture store windows showcase high style Scandinavian and Euro designs.

Punta has good seafood and barbecue restaurants, hotels, condos, and marinas, and is also good celebrity watching spot: Brazilian racing champion, Emerson Fittipaldi, has (had?) a home west of Punta.

Punta Del Este City Park garden

Most of the upscale homes in Punta, I was informed, are owned by well-known businessmen.

As well, Punta draws artists from all over the world (no pun).

At the time of my visit, a very large estate was being built, but no one knew the identity of the owner.

The property was already surrounded by berms, cinder block and other fencing, then faced with stone; Overall, the fencing was about two feet thick and six feet high. Whoever it is certainly wants privacy!

Punta Del Este Home - Upscale and Charming

One of the typical upscale homes in Punta Del Este.

Truth or rumour? One such home (NOT this one in the picture) is rumoured to have been owned by Evita Peron, and where George Bush Sr. once stayed.

Uruguay Home and Gardens, Punta Style all its  own

Yet another of the lovely homes and gardens in and around Punta Del Este.

See also:

where to stay Punta,

current hotel deals, and vacation rentals.

Whale watching stand Playa Brava Punta Del Este Uruguay

A whale watching stand where the Atlantic and Rio De La Plata meet at Playa Brava, on the east side of the Punta Del Este peninsula.

The waters look almost as if a line were drawn on them - very easy to see where the ocean and river. meet.

This day, the waves were mostly calm, though Playa Brava is known for wild waves at times.

The best beaches and people watching sites, reputedly, are some 10 km (6 miles) further east along the coast at La Barra and Bikini Beach, and are accessible by local bus.

Barbecue grill at Napoleon restaurant, Punta Del Este

Traditional barbecue grill at the popular eatery in Punta.

Napoleon is where we stopped for lunch, just steps from the marina.

This style of barbecue is seen in many Argentina and Uruguay restaurants.

See more Punta del Este Restaurants

Lunch is Served at Napoleon Restaurant Punta del Este

On my plate at Napoleon restaurant is grilled salmon with a lemon butter cream sauce, baked squash, and diced mixed vegetables.

Paprika dusts the edges of the plate. Rolls were served with a spiced mayonnaise instead of butter.

My companion had what I wrote down as Brodela, a grilled whitefish, and the same vegetables.

A glass of white wine finished the meal. Delish!

Sea Lions (Sea Wolf Lobo de Mar) Punta Del Este marina fish market

The sea lions at the marina had a larger friend, whom my guide called Lobo de Mar -- sea wolf -- although I am not certain this is a separate type of sea lion.

In any event, these fellows hang about the waters in the little marina lagoon to catch fish scraps tossed to them by the cleaners.

Fish Market at the Punta Del Este Marina

At the fish market under the shade of a canopy on the marina's edge, stafff clean the catch of the day then cut the fish and seafoods into market ready sizes.

This fish market was very clean, and not at all fishy smelling, which is anathema to my nose.

Like most Uruguayans, the staff were friendly and helpful, and seemed glad to see us.

Shellfish at the Punta Fish Market Uruguay

More than just fish, this marina -side market offered a variety of shellfish were also being cleaned and sorted for sale and delivery.

Rio De La Plata River Views from Punta Marina West to Montevideo

A gathering storm appeared over the Rio Del La Plata, shown in this view here as you are looking back (west) towards Montevideo.

As a few drops began falling, we headed back to the van to make the return trip to Montevideo.

(I came to Uruguay by ferry from Buenos Aires, but having seen enough of the Rio de la Plata, I decided to fly back on the return trip.)
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