Punta del Este, Uruguay – Rich and Famous?

Uruguay is not the first place I’d think of as a home of the rich and famous, yet the seaside town of Punta del Este – the most easterly point of the country - is full of beautiful beaches, elegant neighbourhoods and smart shopping.  It's situated where the River Plate meets the Atlantic Ocean so it has both fresh and saltwater beaches.

One of the beaches

Hugh Hefner, the Bush family etc. have homes here; Antony Banderas holidays here and (sadly) Donald Trump is about to build one of his ‘towers’ here.

Flash houses

Coming soon - Trump Tower

But everyone’s welcome to share the safe beaches and restaurants and it’s a popular spot for families from both Uruguay and neighbouring Argentina regardless of their wealth – but if you want to spend mega bucks you can.  We didn't.

The most iconic symbol of Punta is La Mano – this sculpture was created in 1981-2 by Chilean artist Mario Irarrazabal for a beach sculpture festival and was so popular it was retained; it’s a favourite photo spot.

Paul 'Samson' at La Mano

This town is also the home of one of the 5 Ralli museums: free museums designed to focus on Latin American art, but also have travelling exhibitions – there was a Venetian display with Canalettos when we were there but also has a couple of much photographed Dali sculptures.

Dali sculpture Museo Ralli

Another local artist is Carlos Paez Vilaro who started building his Casapueblo beach house in 1958 and is now also a home to his art.

Casapueblo

And to top it off there's a very odd wavy bridge, Puente Leonel Viera built in 1965 much like a roller coaster at speed.  Yee-hah!

Wave Bridge, between La Barra and Punta, 

Good food, colour, great beaches?  No wonder it’s popular….