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Best Beaches of Uruguay

Uruguay’s coastline transitions from the calm, brackish waters of the Río de la Plata to the powerful Atlantic surf. This selection spans the sheltered bays of Punta del Este and La Paloma to the rugged, remote dunes of Cabo Polonio and Santa Teresa National Park. It also includes the freshwater river beaches of Colonia and the Río Negro, characterized by shaded banks, fine white sands, and natural rock formations like the cliffs of Cuchilla Alta.

Roberto Tietzmann / CC BY 2.5

Mansa Beach

A sheltered bay beach in Punta del Este with calm waters and westward views, making it a primary spot for watching sunsets.

Zabala Beach

This lovely sandy beach is lined with trees under which you can sit and hide from the sun. The waters are calm here.

Colorada Beach

A small beach with white sand has shallow clear water and powdery sand. Go there and enjoy the bathing and the sun!

Juliana Mota Xavier / CC BY-SA 4.0

Playa de la Moza

Located within Santa Teresa National Park, this beach is known for its strong surf and proximity to a historic 18th-century Portuguese fortress.

Playa Oceanía del Polonio

A remote and undeveloped stretch of the Rocha coast featuring expansive sand dunes and a quiet, wild environment.

Playa del Barco

A beach in La Pedrera characterized by high waves and the visible remains of the Cathay VIII shipwreck near the shore.

Playa brava

Located near Piriápolis, this beach faces the open Atlantic, offering stronger currents and deeper waters than the neighboring bays.

Blancarena

A river beach on the Río de la Plata in the Colonia Department, known for its fine white sand and surrounding eucalyptus forests.

Balneario Solís

Situated at the mouth of the Solís Grande Stream, this beach offers a mix of river and ocean water with rocky points used for fishing.

Playa Biarritz

A quiet coastal spot in Canelones featuring wide sandy shores and high dunes typical of the Costa de Oro region.

Playa Santa Lucía del Este

A family-oriented beach known for its clear waters and the preservation of local coastal vegetation.

Playa Cuchilla Alta

Features a landscape of steep cliffs and the 'Chorro,' a natural freshwater spring that flows directly onto the beach.

La Calavera

The northern beach of Cabo Polonio, where local artisanal fishing boats are launched and the village’s seafood market is centered.

Bahía Chica

A small, protected bay in La Paloma with shallow, still waters and a rocky shoreline.

Playa Sur

The primary swimming beach in Cabo Polonio, stretching south from the lighthouse toward the vast shifting sand dunes.

Playa La Esmeralda

A secluded beach in the Rocha Department surrounded by acacia and pine forests with limited urban development.

Playa el sauce

A freshwater river beach on the Río Negro near Paso de los Toros, featuring a large wooded area and camping facilities.

Playa santa isabel

A quiet riverside beach known for its calm currents and natural shade provided by native trees.

Playa la picada

Located downstream from the Rincón del Bonete dam, this river beach offers clear water and sandy banks on the Río Negro.

Praia da Barra do Chuí

The northernmost beach in Uruguay, situated at the mouth of the Chuí Stream which marks the border with Brazil.