Smokewood Garzón – Magical 50-acre off-the-grid vacation rental
This magical 50-acre modern off-the-grid oasis is one of the best places to stay in Uruguay.
The beaches of Rocha are the wildest and most isolated in the country, drawing a mix of surfers, families, hippies and backpackers. Connoisseurs consider them some of the very best beaches in Uruguay.
Though the most popular towns now draw crowds at the height of peak season around New Year, it’s easy to walk a few minutes a way and find a quiet spot. If you go in the off season (March – November) you will have the beaches largely to yourself.
La Paloma is the biggest beach town in Rocha with almost four thousand people living there year round. It’s the only beach in Rocha with any significant infrastructure—there’s a choice of hotels and restaurants, a small cinema, two casinos and a hospital. However this is not a smaller version of glamour puss Punta del Este. La Paloma is frequented by middle-class Uruguayans, many of whom have holiday homes, and the vibe is decidedly family orientated.
Cabo Polonio was designated as a national park in 2009. You need to park your car at the visitors centre on the highway and ride the ancient safari — style double — decker truck through five miles of dunes and then a glorious speed over Playa Sur with Cabo Polonio — with its tiny houses clinging to the cape and not a single tree to break the wind — growing ever closer. In the summer you descend from the truck at a grass roundabout in the centre of the village into some kind of parallel hippie universe. The beaches are wild with pristine white sand. Even during the high season there’s always a piece of virgin sand to lie out on. You can cross the whole village in a matter of minutes and explore the whole place in a matter of hours.
La Pedrera is perhaps the greenest seaside town in Rocha, perched on a rocky forested balcony overlooking two golden beaches. It used to be known as Punta Rubia, golden point. That’s how sailors hailed its sands. Nowadays it’s named after the six million year old baroque-style rock formations that divide Playa del Barco from Playa Desplayado. The younger set hang out at the Playa del Barco, baptised after a shipwreck. The Desplayado is more family friendly, less busy and with calmer waters. With its rambla (promenade) and white -pillared promenade wall, La Pedrera feels more sophisticated than its homelier neighbor La Paloma. A number of its 200+residents are migre Argentine artists. Just outside of La Pedrera, a twenty -minute walk along the beach to the east lies the new Punta Rubia which is greener and more isolated.
The Parque Nacional Santa Teresa is one of Uruguay’s most beloved protected parks with over two thousand acres of forest and gardens, a well -restored colonial fort in verdant grounds and some of Uruguay’s most spectacular and almost always deserted beaches. During the peak of high season the park is packed with campers. Come pre-peak and savour some of the best beaches in Uruguay all for yourself.
Punta del Diablo is a fishing town with dirt roads, brightly painted cabins and sweeping unspoiled beaches a few miles from the Brazilian border. The wonderful beaches stretching over six miles of coastline are utterly deserted most of the year. The Playa de los Pescadores (Fisherman’s Beach) and Playa de Rivero are the closest to the centre of the town. The Playa de la Viuda is named after the widow of an Argentine businessman who lived in the mansion at the far end of the beach which was built before the road into town existed. Many of the most ritzy condos overlook the Viuda. The Viuda and Rivero are frequented by surfers.
To read more about these beaches and other must-visit destinations, see the Guru’Guay Guide to Uruguay: Beaches, Ranches and Wine Country.
Photos: La Paloma Marcelo Campi, La Pedrera casaseneleste.
Smokewood Garzón – Magical 50-acre off-the-grid vacation rental
This magical 50-acre modern off-the-grid oasis is one of the best places to stay in Uruguay.
Uruguay Festivals – Sea Goddess Day on February 2
It’s Yemanjá Day on February 2. Don’t miss this special festival of the Goddess of the Sea at Playa Ramírez in the Parque Rodó neighbourhood.
Getting around: buses, taxis and walking
Getting around like a local. Flag down the bus—or it won’t stop. Don’t tip your taxi driver—but don’t expect him to load your luggage! Essential maps.
Montevideo Carnival 2023 dates
Uruguay carnival is back in 2023! The world’s longest carnival returns to Montevideo. We’ve got the when and where.
Brisas de la Pedrera – Boutique hotel in Rocha
Uruguay’s best beaches are in Rocha. La Pedrera is the best-kept beach town in Rocha. Here’s the La Pedrera hotel most foreigners prefer.
Mark Teuten & Associates – Lawyers & notaries
Finding an English speaking Uruguay immigration lawyer who can advise on real estate, employment law, & mediation, as well, can be a huge relief.
Uruguay’s Kentucky Derby – January 6
One of the best things to do in Montevideo is visit the horse races. Fun for the family and for architecture buffs the art-deco stadium. Fridays & Sundays.
How to avoid paying top dollar at the beach in Uruguay
Some beaches are just so darn popular. Tips for when & how to get best rates on hotels and rentals in Uruguay.
Montevideo over New Year? 5 things you need to know
Between Christmas & New Year, Montevideans leave town in droves. So what to do you do? There’s still the beaches, tango, fireworks and… water fights!
Great little car rental company in Uruguay
Shout-out for local car rental company, Mariño Sport, in Uruguay. I’ve been impressed by their great service and personal touch since 2010.
Some beaches are just so darn popular. Tips for when & how to get best rates on hotels and rentals in Uruguay.
In Uruguay you can watch whales close-up from the beach. Save yourself an expensive trip to Patagonia & feel great that your viewing generates zero stress.
Under an hour from the capital lie some of the Uruguay’s best kept secrets, because most of the tourists are… Uruguayan.
The capital of Uruguay has beaches with fine white sand, great for paddling or swimming, kitesurfing, with fairgrounds, and wheel-chair access.
Argentines and Brazilians LOVE ‘Punta’–it’s Uruguay’s glamour puss beach resort. So you may be surprised at some of our must-do things to do.
Deserted beaches, rocky islands heaving with baying seals & tiny colourful shacks. Cabo Polonio, Uruguay is unforgettable.
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9 Responses
A short walk from La Pede (La Pedera) is Punta Rubia and for me it’s one of the most solitary/virgin beaches I’ve seen in my 8 years living in UY. There’s a really rock formations called Valle de La Luna to check out and an awesome hostel called Hostel Francisca with a very friendly owner.
Great selection!!! I’m an Uruguayan and love the idea of showing our country to the rest of the world in this format.
Thank you, Santiago! — Karen
Thank you, Santiago! — Abrazos, Karen
Hay otros balnearios en la costa de Rocha muy hermosis y tambien glamorosos San Antonio uno de ellos
Es cierto. Esto es una pequeña seleccion. La Guru’Guay Guide to Uruguay incluye casi todos los balnearios de la costa. Saludos! — Karen
Parque Biblioteca de Santa Teresa??? Que disparate! Se llama Parque Santa Teresa y tiene una fortaleza, no una biblioteca.
Hola, gracias por hacernos notar el error. Estamos traduciendo el sitio al español usando un plugin automático, por lo que algunas traducciones son incorrectas. Nos llevará algún tiempo corroborar que todas las traducciones estén bien, pero agradecemos tu comentario para corregir esta ya mismo. ¡Saludos!