Bask in the Culture of Punta del Este During Your Cruise to Uruguay
Cruising Journal, the international portal for cruise ship reviews, takes you to Punta del Este! Take a stroll around Punta del Este’s landmarks during a cruise stopover in the Cruising Journal tips.
Learn about Latin American culture and make the most out of your stopover while you bask in the sun on Punta del Este’s gorgeous beaches and marvel at nature’s majestic sights.
Punta del Este is famous for its beautiful, sandy beaches, crystalline waters and delicious food, but it offers so much more than that. Take this opportunity to visit one of the many non-profit museums showcasing local and international works of art, and experience the wonders that Punta del Este has to offer.
How to Get to Punta del Este
Many cruise lines include Punta del Este in their itinerary, including Norwegian Cruise Lines, MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises. You’ll surely find your match amongst one of these amazing cruise lines.
Celebrity Cruises offers a more luxurious experience, complete with Broadway-level musical entertainment, menus curated by Michelin Star Chefs and fully-attentive service staff.
Casapueblo
The hotel Casapueblo is a beautiful location that is also attached to the museum Museo Taller de Casapueblo. Designed by Carlos Páez Vilaró, the unique structure of this building resembles the mud nests of the local Hornero birds. This building that houses many pieces of art is a work of art in and of itself. Casapueblo also gives you the opportunity to witness nature’s most popular piece of art, the ocean sunset. Casapueblo has taken this special moment and made it into the Ceremony of the Sun, which is performed on the terraces of the Casapueblo every night. During the sunset, a recording of Carlos Páez Vilaró reading a farewell poem to the sun plays across the beaches.
Ralli Museum
The Ralli Museum is a non-profit foundation that seeks to showcase and preserve Latin American contemporary art. The Ralli Museum in Punta del Este is the first of five museums operating worldwide and houses pieces by Chagall, Dalì and Botero, among many others. It is specially designed for its purpose and, as such, can valorise the displayed works of art to guarantee the best experience possible.
As a non-profit organisation, the museum is free of charge for everyone to visit.
Hand Sculpture
When in Punta del Este, you’ll surely want to spend some time at one of the many beautiful beaches and bask in the sunlight as with the ocean softly lulls you into peacefulness. And you should; Punta del Este has some of the most beautiful, sandy beaches in the world.
But while you’re choosing where to put down your lounger, why not get some culture out of your beach trip? The Brava Beach houses La Mano, a sculpture by Mario Irarrázabal that depicts five human fingers emerging from the sand. This sculpture has become a photographic must-see in Punta del Este.
Pablo Atchugarry Sculpture Park
This 30-hectare park is an International Sculpture exhibit that was designed in dialogue with the landscape and offers a natural setting for visitors to appreciate national and international works of art. The Pablo Atchugarry Foundation compound is built at the centre of this magnificent park and was founded to promote visual arts and valorise the diverse work of the many artists displayed here. Take a stroll through this ever-evolving work of art and appreciate the diversity it offers while also enjoying some fresh air.
From the port, it is possible to rent a small raft and venture out into the sea for a 15-minute trip to Isla de Lobos. This quiet island is home to many sea lions and can offer a fun alternative to the crowded beaches. You could also walk down the harbour and taste some quality seafood provided directly from the fishermen who sell there.