Day trips from Punta del Este: the peninsula and beyond

Punta del Este sits on a small peninsula, with the River Plate on one side and the Atlantic on the other. East over the wavy bridge are La Barra and the quieter coast to José Ignacio; west are the hills of Punta Ballena and Casapueblo; and about 130 km along the coast is Montevideo. Here is what each of our five involves.

One day only: the full-day tour, the peninsula and La Barra in the morning and Casapueblo in the afternoon. Half a day: the peninsula, or Casapueblo and Punta Ballena.

The five, side by side

Trip	Length	Leaves	Price
Punta del Este Full-Day Private Tour: the Peninsula, La Barra and Casapueblo	8h	07:00	from €350
Punta del Este: Private Tour of the Peninsula, La Mano and La Barra	4h	07:00	from €180
Punta del Este: Private Tour of Casapueblo, Punta Ballena and the Lussich Arboretum	4h	07:00	from €180
José Ignacio and Garzón Private Day Trip from Punta del Este	8h	07:00	from €360
Montevideo Private Day Trip from Punta del Este	10h	07:00	from €450

Prices are starting prices and depend on the size of your group.

How to choose

You have one day, and it has to count

The full-day tour. Eight hours from 07:00: La Mano on Playa Brava while it is quiet, the lighthouse, the Candelaria church and the sea lions at the port, the wavy bridge to La Barra, the Lussich Arboretum, lunch at Punta Ballena and Casapueblo. If you want to stay for the sunset at Casapueblo, ask when you book and we move the times.

You want the peninsula in half a day

The peninsula tour. Four hours, starting at 07:00 or 13:00: La Mano, the lighthouse and the Candelaria church at the tip, the port, where the boats leave for Isla Gorriti, and La Barra with its galleries and cafés. We can drop you for the Gorriti boat and collect you when you are back.

You want Casapueblo

The Casapueblo tour. Four hours, starting at 07:00 or 13:00: the Lussich Arboretum on the hills, the viewpoint at Punta Ballena, and most of the time at Casapueblo, the white house Carlos Páez Vilaró built over decades, now a museum and a hotel with a terrace café. On the early start we see it from outside first and go in once the museum opens.

You want the quieter coast and a winery

José Ignacio and Garzón. Eight hours: the lighthouse village of José Ignacio, the round bridge over Laguna Garzón, a tasting at Bodega Garzón, and lunch in the tiny village of Pueblo Garzón. Tastings must be booked ahead and are paid at the winery. Your driver does not drink.

You want the capital

Montevideo. Ten hours, about two each way on the coast road: the Legislative Palace, Plaza Independencia and the Ciudad Vieja on foot, lunch at the Mercado del Puerto, and the Rambla past Pocitos. The day can end at Carrasco airport or the port of Montevideo instead.

Four things worth knowing before you book

The season changes everything

January and February are very busy, with traffic on the Rambla, in La Barra and on the coast road at weekends; allow more time. The rest of the year is quiet, and in winter some restaurants close, in José Ignacio many.

Some things are paid on the day

The price covers the private vehicle, driver, fuel, tolls and parking. Entrance to Casapueblo, the lighthouse in José Ignacio, wine tastings, the boat to Isla Gorriti and lunch are paid on the day.

Private costs less than you think for a group

A coach seat is cheap for one person and stops being cheap at four. Our prices are by group size, not per seat: up to four of you share one car at one price, and the price only steps up when you need a van. And you are not waiting for forty strangers at every stop.

You can change your mind

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pick-up, refunded in full. If the date stops working, message us and we will do our best to move you to another day.