I Dream of Punta del Este

Through all my travels, I have never found a place I love quite as much as Punta del Este, Uruguay. A city by the sea, it boasts a combination of luxury and simplicity; of beautiful, exclusive resorts full of delightfully pleasant guests and employees alike. Perhaps it's that South American charm that gives Punta del Este its appeal... but that's not quite it either. Let me give you an idea of what the lifestyle is like down there, and maybe you'll get a glimpse of why the elite of South America has designated Punta del Este *THE PLACE TO BE* for the first 15 days of January.


12-1 pm: The day begins. You wake up to a breakfast of media lunas (croissants), bizcochos (a variety of sweet, flaky, croissant-like pastries), toast with dulce de leche, or even a nice fruit salad made with organic fruit bought at the local stands. Sip some coffee, drink a fruit shake, or have some tea... ANYTHING YOU WANT. Since everything is organic, you can eat as much as you want and not gain a pound (I actually LOST weight when I was down there!).

2-3 pm: Throw on a tiny swimsuit and hit the beach. Trendier spots include Bikini beach and Jose Ignacio-where Naomi Campbell had rented a house the last time I was there in 2005. (In fact, model shoots are quite common on the beaches of Punta del Este, and it isn't strange to see models posing for photographers on the more deserted beach areas.) If you don't care about the trendy beaches, then the general rule of thumb is that la Brava (the coast with rougher waves) is where the younger population goes and la Mansa (the coast with fewer/no waves) is more family-oriented. At least once every trip I like to take the boat out to la Isla Gorritis, an uninhabited beach island off the coast where people like to throw exclusive parties. This January, Sedal set up a free massage area on the island to promote the company- not a bad incentive to go out there ;).

7-8 pm: come back home for teatime and rest. I like to read a book on my balcony and watch the sunset. Then I take a nap until dinner at 10:30-11.

3am: Head to a pregame party, whether at someone's place or la Barra, the strip of bars/lounges/clubs that everyone hangs out at.

5am: Go dancing at la Barra. Hotspots this trip were Blue and *Tequila* (which, much to my liking, hosted a much trendier crowd). On Saturday, January 12th we went to Creamfields, an international electronic music festival where DJs such as Hernan Cattaneo and S.O.S. hit the turntables. All-in-all, the nightlife in Punta is bustling, and everyone LITERALLY parties 'til the sun comes up... what a great way to spend a vacation ;)



Though this itinerary gives you an idea of what Punta del Este is all about, it doesn't encompass the wide range of possibilities that it has to offer, and you can actually structure your vacation according to your own preferences. If you're into nature, you can go horseback riding on the beach or take a ferry out to la Isla de Lobos to meet the local sea lions that inhabit the island (I'm pretty sure you can even take a dip and swim with them, if you're up for it). For a more mature vacation, visit the luxurious Conrad or Mantra casinos, where you can catch a runway show, a concert, or simply hit the tables. For shopping, go to the Punta Shopping mall or the downtown area of Gorlero, where you'll find upscale Argentine designer boutiques as well as stores such as Diesel, Fendi and Prada. Basically, no matter what you're into, Punta del Este is right for you.

I hope this description shows you a glimpse of just how amazing Punta del Este really is. I've been going since I was a little girl, and no matter how what, no two trips are ever the same. It's really just a beautiful place with beautiful people, and I recommend it to anyone who will listen to me rant and rave about it. But remember: After the first 2 weeks of January, Punta becomes a ghost town, so plan your trip accordingly. Until next time, Bon Voyage!


<3 Cynthia

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