Top Eleven MUSTS for Your New Year’s Eve Trip to Punta del Este!

Punta Del Este, Uruguay. You may be asking, Uruguay…exactly where is that? Basically it is the white creamy center between the Oreo cookies of Argentina and Brazil! Now that you know where it is, you may be asking, why would I want to go there? I’ll tell you why. Punta del Este is the jewel of South America. It’s to South America what St. Tropez is to Europe. It’s glamorous, glitzy and yet somehow reminds me of Southern California! You only have a short season, really just the New Year’s Eve period to enjoy this sexy hot-spot.

Book your airafre early and brush up on your Spanish, because these are the Top Eleven things you won’t want to miss!

1. 4am at Medialunas Calentitas

Sweet and buttery croissants, served hot to the masses. Maybe you’re stopping by after a long day at Jose Ignacio Beach, or maybe it’s a late night snack at the see and be seen location in La Barra. Either way, they’re delicious and addicting.

2. Afternoon Parties on Bikini Beach

Bring your towel or rent a sun bed for around $250 USD. Buy drinks by the glass or by the pitcher! The DJ picks up around four o’clock and that’s when the party gets started. With such a late sunset, you could easily be partying on the beach until nine o’clock

3. Enjoy a long lunch at La Heulla

YOU NEED A RESERVATION! This open air restaurant is the hottest lunch spot in the Punta del Este area. It’s located on Jose Ignacio beach. This place will have a huge line starting around two o’clock. The food is fantastic, sushi, gazpacho, pizza, grilled meats and fresh fish. The best part about this place is the people watching!

4. Join the hot bodies on Jose Ignacio Beach

I don’t suggest eating the La Huella pizza or the Medialunas Calentitas before heading to this beach. The bodies here are hard and tan. This is an ultra chill beach. Again, you can either rent a sun bed or bring your towel. This is the beach playground of the Punta del Este jet set.

5. Eat dinner at Marismo at 11pm

Imagine driving in Uruguay down a tiny dirt road with no street lights, no signs, then all of a sudden you come upon a man with a flashlight waving you to a parking spot on the side of the road. The restaurant itself looks like a tree house wonderland. A bonfire, sand floor, narrow wooden steps, superb food and cash only. (Phone 598 48 62273)

6. Have a little ice cream at Freddo

Argentina’s frozen export has made it’s way to the shores of Uruguay. Tons of flavors and modern decor make this ice cream shop top in Punta del Este.

7. Try getting into Tequila

Honestly, trying to get passed the bouncers is more fun than being inside this VIP haven. It’s like a South American version of the original Studio 54. The club is small and rather empty until at least 3am. Once you get inside, you realize that it’s like any other night club.

8. Score some global beats from Diablito

from the outside of this La Barra shop you may think it’s a surfer clothing store, but go inside and you’ll see a great collection of music from around the world. My favs include the Bossa series. Like Bossa n’ Roses, Bossa n’ Marley, Bossa n’ Stones.

9. Get a new trendy new outfit at Kosiuko

La Barra has great little clothing shops. This one is one of my favorites for men and women. You can find great trendy belts, shorts, purses for men and women. Do worry, these fashions will work Stateside.

10. Have Clerico and a sandwich at Flo Café.

Clerico is Sangria’s sexier summer sister! Mix a little crisp summer white wine with different fruits like grapes, bananas, apples, strawberries and a little sugar and bam, you’ve got Clerico. Yummy!

11. Join Gisele at Posada del Faro

Punta del Este has a peculiar problem, hotels. Punta is all about location. There’s many areas to Punta del este: Punta city center (peninsula), La Barra and Jose Ignacio. You want to be in La Barra and Jose Ignacio. Here’s little map that I made:

View Larger Map

The “hippest” hotel is the Serena Hotel, however it’s in the single worst location. It’s on the opposite side of where you want to be. It’ll take you at least 20-30 minutes to get to La Barra and about 50-60 minutes to get to Jose Ignacio. La Bluette in La Barra is a great little B&B, but it’s not a chic place. It’s like going into (the owner) Hugo’s home.

Don’t get stuck at those “fancy” casino hotels. They’re huge and not worth it.

The Posada del Faro is a sexy boutique hotel in a great location. The celebs like Gisele and Naomi stay here. The only downside is that you’re driving about 20-30 minutes to get to La Barra for the nightlife.

Want to see what Punta del Este is all about? Here’s a video.

There it is. It’s over.

I love comments….

See ya soon,

Kimberly

Rumor: The Setai is rumored to be opening a Punta del Este location near Jose Ignacio. We saw some Setai signs but no sign of construction just yet!

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