12 Best Things to Do in Punta del Este: La Mano, Casapueblo, MACA & Islands

From open-air contemporary sculpture parks and 19th-century lighthouses to offshore islands packed with South American sea lions, Punta del Este offers far more than summer sunbathing. Here are the twelve essential experiences along the Maldonado coast.

1. Peninsula Landmarks, Sea Lions & Offshore Islands

1. Photograph La Mano (Los Dedos) at Sunrise on Playa Brava Parada 1: Visit Chilean sculptor Mario Irarrázabal's 1982 five-fingered monument at Playa Brava Parada 1 when morning light hits the Atlantic surf.
2. Watch Wild Sea Lions Along the Docks of Puerto de la Candelaria: Stroll the Peninsula yacht marina as huge South American sea lions (lobos marinos) gather beside artisanal fishing boats.
3. Walk Around the 1860 Faro de Punta del Este & Iglesia de la Candelaria: Pair the 45-metre white lighthouse with the sky-blue Neo-Gothic church across the street.
4. Take the 15-Minute Passenger Launch to Pine-Shaded Isla Gorriti: Spend a morning walking among 18th-century Spanish artillery batteries and swimming at Playa Honda on Isla Gorriti.
5. Boat Out to the 200,000-Seal Colony of Isla de Lobos: Cruise eight kilometres into the Atlantic to see one of the world's largest fur seal and sea lion rookeries beneath the 59-metre 1906 lighthouse on Isla de Lobos.

2. Cliffside Architecture, Undulating Bridges & Contemporary Art

6. Experience the Sunset "Sun Ceremony" at Casapueblo (Punta Ballena): Tour Carlos Páez Vilaró's hand-sculpted white cliffside museum and listen to his recorded poem as the sun sinks into the Río de la Plata at Casapueblo.
7. Walk the Forest Trails of Arboretum Lussich: Explore 192 hectares of global pines and eucalypts planted from 1896 on the Sierra de la Ballena.
8. Cross the Twin Undulating Bridges of La Barra (Puente Leonel Viera): Drive or cycle over the roller-coaster 1965 concrete spans at the mouth of Arroyo Maldonado.
9. Spend an Afternoon at MACA (Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Atchugarry): Walk among Carrara marble and steel sculptures across a 45-hectare park and inside Carlos Ott's timber pavilion in Manantiales.
10. Visit Museo Ralli & the 1771 Cuartel de Dragones in Maldonado: Admire Salvador Dalí bronzes in Beverly Hills and Spanish colonial barracks in Maldonado.

3. José Ignacio, Circular Bridges & Coastal Gastronomy

11. Climb the 1877 José Ignacio Lighthouse & Cross the Circular Laguna Garzón Bridge: Follow Route 10 east to José Ignacio and Rafael Viñoly's ring bridge.
12. Order an Authentic Uruguayan Chivito & Taste Ocean-Cooled Tannat: Dine in the town where the chivito steak sandwich was invented in 1944.