Overview of Punta del Este

Punta del Este is a peninsular city situated on the southern tip of Uruguay, with an important tourist resort. Is located on a narrow strip of land. It has a permanent population of 19,263 inhabitants according to the 2009 census but in summer the population usually exceeds 200 000. [citation needed]. Its beaches are divided into Mansa and Brava.

According to the Treaty of Rio de la Plata 1973, Argentina and Uruguay is regarded as the northern mouth of the Río de la Plata on the Atlantic Ocean point, but outside these countries and the International Hydrographic Organization's fully considered in the Atlantic.

It is located southeast of Maldonado and 1 km from the capital city (Maldonado), being virtually attached to that city.

To the northeast, its area of influence extends to the spas found between La Barra and Jose Ignacio; and to Punta Ballena, Solanas and Portezuelo.

Counting the surrounding resorts (El Tesoro, Balneario Buenos Aires, Punta Ballena, La Barra, El Chorro, Springs, Faro Jose Ignacio, Ocean Park, Willow Portezuelo, Chihuahua, Las Cumbres and Arenas de José Ignacio) population reaches 21,579 inhabitants. Among the resorts mentioned above, new "villages" as "La Capuera" and the cities of San Carlos, Maldonado Capital, and Punta del Este, make up the metropolitan conurbation Maldonado-San Carlos-Punta del Este, which is estimated a population of approximately 175 000 inhabitants.

Its beaches are divided into 'Mansa' West Side, and 'Brava' of this side. The name given to these beaches is because first, to give the side of the Rio de la Plata (although the water is salty and green) and to be protected from the winds and currents from the Atlantic Ocean, almost always presents its water quite calm; Gorriti Island also protects the beach from the wind; while the beach "Brava", longer ocean, has a much more impetuous waves.

Near the spa, huge gaps are with possibilities for hunting and sport fishing, as gaps Sauce, Journal, White, Jose Ignacio and Garzón.

The town of Punta Ballena, is called this way because its geography imitates the shape of a whale dozing on the water. It is frequented by tourists to watch the spectacle of the sunset from the "back of the Whale".

See places to visit in Punta del Este

See also information on José Ignacio, La Barra, Maldonado, Punta Ballena, San Carlos, Argentina y Buenos Aires.