Punta del Este | |
|---|---|
City | |
 Aerial view .jpeg) Enjoy Hotel and Casino  Central Square .jpg) Residential area of the peninsula  Playa Mansa | |
  Punta del Este Location in Uruguay Show map of Southern Uruguay Punta del Este Punta del Este (Uruguay) Show map of Uruguay | |
| Coordinates:34°58′0″S54°57′0″W / 34.96667°S 54.95000°W /-34.96667; -54.95000 | |
| Country |  Uruguay |
| Department |  Maldonado |
| Founded | 1860 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (Alcalde) | Javier Carballal (NP) |
| Area | |
• Total | 20.35 km2 (7.86 sq mi) |
| Population (2023 Census) | |
• Total | 18,193 |
| Demonym(s) | puntaesteño (m) puntaesteña (f) |
| Time zone | UTC−3 |
| Postal code | 20100 |
| Dial code | +598 42 (+6 digits) |
| Climate | Cfb |
Punta del Este (Spanish pronunciation:[ˈpuntaðelˈeste]) is a seaside city andpeninsula on the Atlantic Coast in theMaldonado Department of southeasternUruguay. Starting as a small town, Punta del Este grew to become a resort for the Latin and North Americanjet set and tourists. The city has been called "The Hamptons of South America",[1] as well as "TheMonaco of the South", "TheMiami Beach of South America", "The Pearl of the Atlantic", and "TheSt. Tropez of South America".[2][3][4][5] Many famous people have visited, resided, or acquired vacation properties in Punta del Este and its surroundings.[6][7]
Punta del Este hosted theWhitbread Around the World yacht races from 1985 to 1994 and participated with its own yacht 'Uruguay Natural'. Punta del Este also hosted the 1967 American Summit attended by U.S. PresidentLyndon Johnson, and the beginning of theUruguay Round of international trade negotiations in 1986 that led to the creation of theWorld Trade Organization in 1994. The city hosted the2014 Formula E Championship and theGran Premio de Punta del Este receiving national, South American and international competitions.[8]
In addition to international film festivals,gastronomy, and first-class hotels, the region has protected natural reserves such asIsla de Lobos,Gorriti Island,La Barra, or theArboretum Lussich. Popular landmarks in the area include theLa Mano giant sculpture, theSantorini-styled complexCasapueblo, theRafael Viñoly designedPuente Garzón bridge, and theMuseum of the Sea. Although the city has a year-round population of about 18,200 in winter, the number greatly expands during the summer season.[9]
The city is located on the intersection ofRoute 10 with Route 39, southeast of the department capitalMaldonado and about 140 kilometres (87 mi) east ofMontevideo.
Punta del Este has anoceanic climate (Cfb, according to theKöppen climate classification), with pleasant summers and cool winters. Because of the average temperature of the hottest month near 22 °C (71.6 °F), the climate is close to ahumid subtropical climate (Cfa).[10] It is similar to southeasternAustralia.[11] The precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year, with an average of 1,010 mm (40 in). The hottest month, February, has an average temperature of 21.7 °C (71.1 °F), and the coldest month, July, has an average of 11.5 °C (52.7 °F). The average yearly temperature is 16.4 °C (61.5 °F).
| Climate data for Punta del Este (Península), elevation: 16 m, 1961–1990 normals | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 37.0 (98.6) | 34.4 (93.9) | 34.4 (93.9) | 30.6 (87.1) | 29.8 (85.6) | 26.6 (79.9) | 28.3 (82.9) | 27.4 (81.3) | 31.0 (87.8) | 31.8 (89.2) | 32.2 (90.0) | 37.6 (99.7) | 37.6 (99.7) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 25.2 (77.4) | 25.1 (77.2) | 24.0 (75.2) | 21.2 (70.2) | 18.2 (64.8) | 14.8 (58.6) | 14.4 (57.9) | 14.7 (58.5) | 16.0 (60.8) | 18.4 (65.1) | 21.0 (69.8) | 23.8 (74.8) | 19.7 (67.5) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 21.6 (70.9) | 21.7 (71.1) | 20.6 (69.1) | 17.9 (64.2) | 15.0 (59.0) | 12.2 (54.0) | 11.5 (52.7) | 11.6 (52.9) | 12.8 (55.0) | 15.0 (59.0) | 17.4 (63.3) | 20.0 (68.0) | 16.4 (61.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 18.1 (64.6) | 18.4 (65.1) | 17.6 (63.7) | 14.9 (58.8) | 12.1 (53.8) | 9.5 (49.1) | 8.7 (47.7) | 8.8 (47.8) | 9.9 (49.8) | 11.4 (52.5) | 14.1 (57.4) | 16.4 (61.5) | 13.3 (55.9) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 10.2 (50.4) | 11.6 (52.9) | 10.4 (50.7) | 6.8 (44.2) | 3.4 (38.1) | −0.2 (31.6) | 1.4 (34.5) | 1.4 (34.5) | 1.6 (34.9) | 4.0 (39.2) | 7.4 (45.3) | 7.0 (44.6) | −0.2 (31.6) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 75.4 (2.97) | 84.8 (3.34) | 79.3 (3.12) | 84.0 (3.31) | 91.4 (3.60) | 80.3 (3.16) | 90.3 (3.56) | 93.9 (3.70) | 93.1 (3.67) | 85.0 (3.35) | 86.8 (3.42) | 66.6 (2.62) | 1,010.9 (39.82) |
| Average precipitation days | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 107 |
| Mean monthlysunshine hours | 263.8 | 212.5 | 243.0 | 181.3 | 147.0 | 103.8 | 118.8 | 157.5 | 169.3 | 234.5 | 217.5 | 289.3 | 2,338.3 |
| Source 1:WMO[12] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: NOAA (extremes, sun and mean temperature)[13] | |||||||||||||
Spaniards were the first Europeans to set foot in the area of Punta del Este at the beginning of the 16th century. Colonization began around Maldonado at the end of the 18th century through Portuguese expansionism.[citation needed]
In August 1827, during theCisplatine War, athree-day military operation led by Brigadier GeneralJuan Antonio Lavalleja under the banner of theUnited Provinces of the Río de la Plata aimed to expel a small brazilian garrison strategically located on the peninsula.
Punta del Este and its surroundings (Maldonado and Punta Ballena) at the end of the 19th century were kilometers of sand and dunes, but in 1896Antonio Lussich bought 4,447 acres (1,800 ha) of uninhabited land and started the botanical gardenArboretum Lussich, planting trees and plants from all over the world. The trees propagated on their own, withPines,Eucalyptus,Acacias and various species ofbushes flourishing.
On 5 July 1907, it was declared a "Pueblo" (village) by Act of Ley 3.186.[14] Its status was elevated to "Ciudad" (city) on 2 July 1957 by the Act of Ley Nº 12.397.[15]
During the 1970s, the city faced a decline in tourists, especially from Argentina, as a result of terrorist threats by theTupamaros guerrilla organization and an increase of working class hotels and less luxurious residences.[16]
Punta del Este experienced formidable real estate development in the 1980s with a construction boom in spas, apartment towers and hotel complexes. Since then, the ups and downs of the economic cycles caused real estate activity to be another engine of the economy of Punta del Este. In 2022, real estate market specialists forecast exponential growth throughout the area as a place to live year-round.[17]
In 2011 Punta del Este city proper had a population of 9,277[18] and 23,954 households and apartments.[19] According to the Intendencia Departamental de Maldonado, the municipality of Punta del Este has an area of 48 km2 (19 sq mi) and a population of 15,000.[20] Argentines, Brazilians and Europeans are gradually choosing Punta del Este as their permanent residence. Some of the reasons are peace in the midst of nature and increasing educational offerings.[21]
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1963 | 5,272 |
| 1975 | 7,197 |
| 1985 | 6,731 |
| 1996 | 8,294 |
| 2004 | 7,298 |
| 2011 | 9,277 |
| 2023 | 18,193 |
Source:National Statistics Institute[22]
Punta del Este's scenic coastline is divided in two regions: Brava (Spanish: "fierce") and Mansa ("tame"). The limit between the two marks the end of theRío de la Plata and the beginning of theAtlantic Ocean. Beaches on the Mansa side feature thick and golden sand, while on the Brava side the sand is white and fine. Every beach of the peninsula has public access.
La Barra is popular for nautical sports and fishing during the day. At later hours, La Barra becomes a central attraction for the younger generation. Starting from the end of December through to the second week of January, this location becomes a place for the local people as well as tourists to gather at the night life festivities. Other areas include the resort of El Tesoro, Montoya beach, Bikini beach and Manantiales beach. These beaches are a favourite spot for younger people as well as for many celebrities from both Uruguay and Argentina.[citation needed]
Once abundant,southern right whales are re-colonizing in the area,[23] which helped create a whale sanctuary offLatin America,[24] whose establishment had been prevented for near a decade bywhaling nations likeJapan. Unlike the majority of Uruguayan coasts, appearances oforcas have been documented in the area; most notably aroundIsla de Lobos.[25][26]
The city has muchcolonialarchitecture contrasting with more modern buildings. Nowadays it has a scenic shore, typical resort houses, modern buildings, a port with mooring capacity, department stores, restaurants, and pubs. There are several large houses, and gardens lined with plants.[citation needed]
Gorlero Avenue, the main avenue of Punta del Este has commercial galleries, restaurants, cinemas, casinos, shops.[citation needed]
Artigas square on Gorlero Ave is the place where there is a popular handicraft market.[27]
An iconic and historic building rises on the 19th stop of the Brava Beach, the famous Hotel L'AubergeInicio with its 70 year old water tower.
Punta del Este was originally home to the firstConrad Hotel in South America.
Punta del Este is well known fororganizing the summit in which theWTO was created. TheFormula E has hosted several races, broadcast worldwide, in the city, based on its "absolutely landmark cityscape".[4] In 2017, the China-Latin America Forum took place in the Punta del Este Convention Center.[28]
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Enjoy Punta del Este (formerly Conrad Punta del Este) is a hotel and casino designed by Guillermo Gómez Platero. The hotel's construction started in 1993 and finished in 1997. It offers 294 rooms, including 41 luxury suites. It was originally operated byHilton Hotels & Resorts under the brand "Conrad". The property was owned byCaesars Entertainment Corporation andHilton Hotels & Resorts until it was sold to the Chilean group Enjoy S.A. in 2017. Hilton's affiliation ceased on April 1, 2018.[29][clarification needed]
The casino hosted thepartypoker Latin American Poker Championships (LAPC) which lasted between February 24 and March 4, 2018,[30] and had an attendance of 1,137 players.[31]
One of the leading artistic institutions ofUruguay, the Fundación Pablo Atchugarry (Pablo Atchugarry Foundation) is dedicated to the promotion of arts and culture in Punta del Este. The foundation was created in 2007 by international sculpture artistPablo Atchugarry, with the aim to keep a dialogue between art and nature. During the summer season (December to February) the foundation proposes a series of exhibitions and events such as concerts of lyrical to popular music, ballet representations and more. Once a year, the institution present an iconic exhibition from a major artist or collection. Over the past five years, the works ofFrantišek Kupka,Le Corbusier, Collection MACBA,José Gurvich andPablo Atchugarry have been exhibited in the main building. The premises of the institution are composed of the sculptor's workshop, a building with three exhibition rooms, an auditorium, an open-air stage for a variety of shows, a restaurant, a didactic room where sculpture, painting, drawing and ceramic classes are held, and finally a space which holds the permanent collection and the work of the founder. A 30-hectare sculpture park surrounds the compound.
Thelighthouse is 45 metres tall, and the crystal panels which are part of its illumination system were brought from France. It works by electricity, with acetylene gas as emergency backup. It is possible to climb the 150 steps of its spiral staircase.[32]
This island of 21 hectares of surface is daily visited to enjoy its two beaches: Garden Port and Honda beach. It consists of a natural port, with ships anchoring close to it, and it also became a popular area to practice water sports.
The city is served byCapitán de Corbeta Carlos A. Curbelo International Airport, being the second most important of Uruguay, located nearLaguna del Sauce on the outskirts of the city. This modern airport opened in 1996. It offers domestic and international flights within the region.
Most international flights land in Montevideo atCarrasco International Airport, around 115 km (71 mi) from Punta del Este. The bus companiesCopsa andCot connect the airport with Punta del Este, and there are several private taxi and remise services available.[33]
Also in the area isEl Jagüel Airport, which is much closer to Punta del Este; it is only used by small-sized private aircraft.
Punta del Este has numerous Jewish temples and Catholic churches:
Among its attractions, the city offers music and cinema festivals, whale sightseeing, and fine dining.[3]
The city hosted thePunta del Este ePrix in2014,2015, and2018. The street circuit of 2.8 km of length runs along Punta del Este's harbour and has been nicknamed theMonte Carlo ofSouth America.[36][37][38]
TheUruguay Sevens rugby competition held inMontevideo began as Punta Del Este Sevens in 1989.
 Coast of Maldonado | |
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| Resorts and Landforms |
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Glossary :Balneario = Resort ,Barra = Mouth (of river) ,Laguna = Lagoon ,Playa = Beach ,Puerto = Port ,Punta (or Pta) = Point, Small Peninsula | |
Capital:  Maldonado | ||
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