Punta del Este

This coastal town built along a peninsula is one of Latin America's most glamorous beach resorts, commonly referred to as the St Tropez of South America, and it attracts predominantly Latin American visitors. It has a relatively developed tourist infrastructure with villas and mansions, luxury hotels, a yacht marina a nd a large choice of restaurants. The gentle waters of the beaches on the bay side of the peninsula are suitable for bathing and relaxing, while the rougher waters of the surfing beaches are on the ocean side.

Opposite the large peninsula separating the two waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Rio de la Plata, lie the enchanted islands of Isla Gorriti and Isla de los Lobos, inhabited by one of the world's largest sea-lion colonies. They are well worth a visit.

See our special Punta del Este 7 night holiday as featured recently in the Independent on Sunday