Monocle 25/25 Punta del Este Uruguay

Monocle 25/25
Punta del Este
Uruguay
For eight weeks after
Christmas, Punta del Este
is a 24/7 parade of parties,
real Rolexes and fake
boobs. It’s a scene fuelled
by international designers
and superstar DJs that is
shameless, shallow and
tremendous fun. But the
hippest scene has moved
north past the glamorous
fishing village of José Ignacio,
and up towards the rustic
bohemian beach scenes
at Cabo Polonio and La
Pedrera. During the rest
of the year, except holidays,
Punta is taken up mainly
by people who go for
the casinos.
Essentials
01
02
03
04
05
Pay attention to the
season; many restaurants,
pubs and nightclubs only
open in summer, from
December to March.
Plan for long lunches that
start at 15.00 and dinners
that start at 23.00 or
midnight.
Leave behind your
Versaces and Cavallis.
The style is super chic
in an understated kind
of way.
Speedos out. Board shorts
in. For women, the only
accessory needed is a
great butt and the right
straw fedora.
Remember this is gaucholand and the gauchos are
all gorgeous. Take a horse
ride on the beach to take
in the local scenery.
For more Monocle travel guides
visit monocle.com/25-25
Guide/Info
Hotels
Independent and easy
Casa Chic
Los Teros y Las
Calandrias, José Ignacio
+598 4486 2068
casa-chic.com
Premium
La Posada del Faro
Luis E Schickendantz,
José Ignacio
+598 4486 2110
posadadelfaro.com
Ultra luxury in the
countryside
Estancia Vik
Camino Eugenio Sáiz
Martínez, kM8,
José Ignacio
+598 9460 5212
estanciavikjoseignacio.com
Dining
Breakfast
Café Flô
Ruta 10, kM161, La Barra
+598 4277 1481
Picnic spot
Playa Pescadores in Punta
del Diablo
Al fresco dining
Marismo
Camino a la Laguna
Garzon, Ruta 10, kM185,
José Ignacio
+598 4486 2273
Beach club
La Caracola
Camino a la Laguna
Garzón, Ruta 10, kM185,
José Ignacio
+598 9422 3015
paradorlacaracola.com
Sunset cocktail
La Huella
Playa Brava, José Ignacio
+598 4486 2279
paradorlahuella.com
Dinner for two
Sal y Pimienta at Casa
Suaya Hotel
Ruta 10, kM185.5,
José Ignacio
+598 4486 2750
casasuaya.com
Dinner with friends
Namm
Ruta 10, kM185, José
Ignacio
+598 4486 2526
Dinner and dancing
Conrad Punta Del Este
Resort and Casino
Playa Mansa Parada 4
+598 4249 1111
conrad.com.uy
Late drinks
Buddha Bar
Bikini Beach Bar
Parada 49, La Barra,
Ruta 10, kM160
On the tiles
Tequila
Calle 11 La Barra
+598 4277 1922
Reading
Bookshop
Sentido
Calle Los Cisnes and El
Océano, José Ignacio
+598 4486 2749
sentidojoseignacio.com
Basics
José Ignacio pharmacy
Camino Eugenio Saiz
Martínez and Las Garzas
+598 4486 2502
Shopping
Something you can’t get
anywhere else
Maison de Famille
Ruta 10, kM164,
Manantiales
+598 4277 5871
maisondefamillesurmer.
com
Lost luggage – where to
buy shirts, socks and
underwear
El Canuto
Calle Los Cisnes and Los
Horneros, José Ignacio
+598 4486 2028
elcanuto.com.uy
Something for the kids
Mini polo boots from La
Martina
Calle 20 (between 27 and
28), Local 1 and 2
lamartina.com
Something for someone
you love
Sweaters from
Bajo el Alma
Las Garzas y Las
Golondrinas
+598 4486 2098
bajoelalma.com
Something for yourself
A kitesurfing lesson with
local pro Laura Moñino
+598 944 20704
kiteywindsurflaura.com
Two-hour tour
01 Stroll around the
village and beaches of
José Ignacio.
This enclave has escaped
the Miami-style growth
that has affected much of
the rest of Punta.
02 Lunch at Francis
Mallman’s hotel and
restaurant in the village of
Garzon. Twenty miles
north of José Ignacio is
celebrity chef Mallman’s
El Garzon. The drive is
beautiful and Finca La
Anita is picture-perfect.
03 Montoya Beach at La
Barra. Hot surf spot.
Limousine/car
Punta Car
+589 4248 2112
puntacar.com.uy
Transport
Free bikes
For use within José Ignacio
Chivas, Sáiz Martínez and
Los Biguá.
Fitness
Good gym
Mantra luxury hotel
Calle 25 Los Arrecifes
+598 4277 1000
mantraresort.com