Uruguay is a small country in the south of South America, nested between Argentina and Brazil. Despite its size, it has an important coastal line divided between the mythical Rio de la Plata and the Atlantic Ocean that has some of the best beaches in Souht America. So, the question is, where are the best beaches in Uruguay?
Worldly renowned as the birthplace of tango, and for having organized and won the first soccer world cup in history in 1930, winning again in 1950 in Brazil, Uruguay is like a little piece of Europe in South America, because its inhabitants are mostly Spanish and Italian descendents, which added to its small territory and the prestige of being the financial center of the region, has been the base for its "America's Switzerland" nickname. However, unlike any European country, Uruguay offers an astonishing attraction: its beautiful beaches.
The Uruguayan summer goes from the end of October until the end of March. The rest of the year is cold. But while the heat is on, the Uruguayan beaches are definitely one of the most outstanding destinations of South America.
On the Rio de la Plata coast are the beaches of Colonia del Sacramento, an antique colonial city combining river waters mixed with ocean waters with its distinguished historical interest. But the best of the beaches of Uruguay starts where its coast is less Rio de la Plata and more Atlantic Ocean. So, the first important beach destination is Atlántida, which offers a good combination of nightlife infrastructure.
Following the Atlantic line, Piriápolis stands out due to its beaches, its hills, its gastronomy based on seafood and its colonial touch. Only 40 kilometers away is the pearl of the Uruguayan beaches, the top destination of South America in terms of refinement and the strong presence of the jet set of the area, celebrities and tycoons: Punta del Este. The Punta del Este beaches, or Punta, as it is known, offer a stunning diversity. Plus, there are important casinos and golf courses to round up a destination that has it all.
Finally, and almost bordering on the Brazilian beaches, are the Rocha beaches. Among them are La Paloma, La Pedrera and Cabo Polonio. All of them feature a rustic and wild environment, with dirt roads, where the calm and casual style is on. Cabo Polonio is also known because of its amazing dunes, where it is necessary to go in special trucks to be able to reach the coast, in which you'll find sea lions and a small village architecture created to keep the peace and isolation of the area, ideal to unwind and forget the city's activities.
That is why the Uruguayan beaches are very interesting, an exotic and unknown destination that turns this country into a small giant of the South American beaches.
