This weekend marked the first of South American excursions: my friends and I ventured a tad north of the Argentine border into the paradise that is Uruguay. We went to Punta del Este, a beach town that many consider “the Hamptons of South America.” Getting there was a schlep and a half – a three-hour ferry followed by a four-hour bus ride. But once we stepped onto the soft, sandy beaches of Punta, we realized it was well worth the hype.
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We stepped off the bus to find a GIGANTIC – and very famous – sculpture of fingers protruding out from the sand. The monument is called “Los Dedos,” and it is a huge attraction for tourists in the area. Naturally, my friends and I saw this as an opportunity to immediately don matching outfits (for picture-taking purposes, of course) and take a series of embarrassing photos in front of the monument.
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The majority of the weekend was spent tanning on Punta’s beautiful beaches, and as a self-proclaimed sun worshipper, I could not have been any happier. The scenery of palm trees and beautifully-tanned South Americans would have been enough to put me in a great mood; but the addition of the sunny, breezy weather and water that was just the right temperature for a quick dip made it all the more fantastic.
The nightlife in Punta was equally great. There were loads of hostels, which made the resort town a common destination for young people looking to travel. There was a strip of bars and clubs in the Port area, right along the water. We walked along the strip to check it out, but inevitably decided each night that all we wanted after our delicious seafood dinners was a touch of homemade ice cream. Perhaps a little lame, but so satisfying.Â
Our weekend getaway ended on a positive note: killer tans, great curls courtesy of the salty ocean water and an upbeat attitude. In fact, despite the seven-hour trek to get there, my friends and I have already begun planning our next trip there!