The popularity of South American countries as vacation destinations has been surging in recent years. South America has a lot of advantages for travelers of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, a thrill-seeker, or just someone looking for a relaxing place with beautiful scenery and excellent beaches, there are a lot of options down in South America. Whether you’re catching a beach party in Brazil or strolling along the untouched pristine playas of nations like Peru and Chile, there’s a lot to love about South American beaches and the conditions are just right for all kinds of activities including swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and water sports.
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If you're planning a South American vacation with a big focus on spending time at the beach, Uruguay could be a super destination to choose. Located in the southeastern part of the country, Uruguay has borders with Argentina and Brazil and a long line of coast looking out onto the Atlantic Ocean. The country is one of the smaller South American nations, home to around 3.4 million people, but attracts many visitors due to its rich history, tasty cuisine, vibrant lifestyle, and gorgeous landscapes.
Best Beaches in Uruguay
There are many reasons why Uruguay needs to be at the center of your next beach holiday in South America. The country has some astonishing natural scenery, especially along the coast. Many of Uruguay's best beaches are conveniently located not too far from the country's capital city of Montevideo, but others can be found further along the shore, so you're never too far from a terrific beach in this South American nation.
Montevideo
Montevideo is home to around half of the entire population of Uruguay, so it's a great place to visit if you really want to enjoy an authentic, lively slice of Uruguayan life and soak up some of the local culture. You can meet a lot of friendly people in Montevideo and see all sorts of fun and fascinating sights, with the city also having several excellent beaches. There are multiple miles of sandy shore around Montevideo, with Playa de Los Pocitos and Playa Ramirez standing out as a couple of the top locations. Due to their proximity to the capital, these beaches get popular and offer a fun party vibe, but if you’re looking for a more secluded, intimate environment, all you have to do is keep walking further up the beach.
Neptunia
Neptunia is part of the Costa de Oro, which is found on the eastern coast of the country and is the longest and most popular stretch of sand in all of Uruguay. Stepping out onto the beaches in this area feels like you've just walked onto your own little piece of paradise, with perfectly soft sands and amazing waters. Both tourists and locals can be found on these beaches, and Neptunia is one of the prettiest spots in the Costa de Oro area. Beach-goers can enjoy a myriad of activities here or simply lie down on the sand and slip into a state of peaceful relaxation.
Playa Chihuahua
Before you visit this Uruguayan beach, you need to be aware of one very important factor: this is a nudist-friendly beach. So if you head on down to Playa Chihuahua, which is located a little ways east along the coastline from Montevideo, you need to be prepared to see a whole lot of naked people soaking up the sunrays and splashing around in the water. If you're fine with that, Playa Chihuahua is a really picturesque beach with a nice mixture of rocky and sandy spaces to explore and enjoy. The local scenery is really nice at this beach too, with lots of beautiful forests and wilderness for adventurous people to explore.
Punta del Diablo
This beach is situated not far from the international border that separates Uruguay from neighboring Brazil, so you'll find a real mixture of people here, with Punta del Diablo attracting folks from both countries, as well as many other visitors and tourists from around the world. The local town was once a sleepy little place but has developed into a major resort destination over the years as word started to spread about the unique beauty and charm of this Uruguayan beach. The colorful architecture of the town nearby, charming locals, sugary sands, and awe-inspiring views will make you eager to come back for more, and this is one of Uruguay’s best surfing beaches too.
Punta del Este
Over on the eastern side of the country, Punta del Este is in the Maldonado department and has a few very popular touristic beaches to choose from. The cool thing about Punta del Esta beaches is the amount of unique local landmarks to admire including the open-air Los Dedos sculpture, which resembles an enormous hand creeping out from beneath the surface of the sand, and an old-fashioned lighthouse. The local area also hosts various special events including an annual film festival, so there's always something fun going on around these Uruguayan beaches, making them a big hit with party people.
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