Dor

We are planning on vacationing in punta del este in the beginning of January. We will stay at Hotel Península, as I understand is situated on the main avenue (Avenida Gorlero) of Punta del Este, 200 meters from Playa Brava beach.
We would like to see the area and other beaches. Is there public transportation?
Can we manage without a car?

Graziella5b

Hi dor I would strongly recommend to rent a car. Punta is spread out that happens to be one of it assets, different beaches, and locals choose which beach to go in direct relation with the prevailing weather.
I know the Peninsula it is an old hotel and has its charm. When in the Peninsula of course you do not need a car , I mean not that much. But you would like to go to other areas like San Rafael, Jose Ignacio, Portezuelo, and many more. Buena suerte.

diann

I was there 6 years ago and unless it has changed (which is quite possible) I wouldn't want to drive there at all. There was not much around there except other resorts. Santo domingo trips were available and we did go there for a day tour. It was very far, 3 hours at least and the drive was a rough drive. Good luck if you rent a car. Not a place I would want to drive about.

Graziella5b

I understand what diann wishes to say but if you really want to enjoy Punta, specially in January in the high season I insist that a car is almost a must. This is the only way to enjoy Punta as locals do, beaches are spread out, some days they favor more than one beach , the weather might change during the morning, there is parking in front of all beaches and aalso a guy that takes care of your car for a few cents, like for 15 cts,all of them are polite and helpful and if you do not have change that day they thank you anyway with a smile anyway.
Let us say you wish to have dinner in a rest. but then it might be too full, you change your mind and wish to go elsewhere...how can you do this?, then you might like to go dancing ..gosh you need a car.
Being your hotel downtown in the Peninsula itself, I am sure they can secure some permanent parking for you in the peninsula then you will be able to come back home and have parking no matter when. Is traffic hectic? Yes it is , but nothing that cannot be coped with. In two words, if your really wish to enjoy Punta in January a car is almost a must. Good luck.

Dor

thank you all so much for your help. We will rent a car for the stay.

Graziella5b

Good for you. If you can follow the advise of locals regarding which beach to go on every given day you are there. It is a science.
Also like in any resort each year different
"boliches" become the in place to go dancing and eating. etc. It is a lively place.
have fun.

diann

My apoloogies to all. I was in the Caribbean PUNTA CANA not even the correct place. Disregard what I said. I have never been to the place you are speaking of. To much Holiday Cheer for me I am afraid.

Dor

Thanks again.
We are debating if we should rent the car in Montevideo and drive to Punta or rent in Punta. I know the drive to Punta is easy but it will be more expensive (since we will have to take a bigger car to fit all the language (we are party of 5) and probably extra 1-2 days. Is there any great benefit for renting in Montevideo? Do you know how is the bus drive to Punta?

avrooster

Are you flying directly into Montevideo from the US or wherever?

Dor

We are coming from Buenos Aires with the ferry/Buquebus. There is a bus service from there to Punta.

Graziella5b

I guess that most likely your might get better rates for renting a car in Montevideo than in Punta. By the way a friend recommended to me Europacar in Montevideo. Contact, Mr.
Guillermo Steward.
You can check ahead of time the rates in Punta and in Montevideo.
Buquebus has bus services direct both from the Port of Colonia and from the Port of Montevideo to Punta del Este.
It is a short drive, 180 Kms. but buses do not overpass 90 kms/per hour.
Gasoline is not cheap in Uruguay.
Otherwise buses are confortable. Bus rides paid through Buquebus is a little more expensive that a bus drive in a regular company, but I would not think to take anyting from the port but the direct Buquebus from the Port to Punta.
If you opt for the regular bus companies, let us say you are in a hotel in Montevideo, then you should take a regular bus company they can pick you up in several stops in Montevideo. Now be sure you are getting tickets for a direct trip Monte-Punta some buses stop in other beaches along the way and you would not want that.
If you are driving and wish to have lunch on the way, in a resort call Solis, middle way between Montevideo and Punta, look for a place called Lo de Jaime. This places has excellent food, for incredibly low prices.
Everybody knows it, it is in the main entrance to Balneario Solis. Good luck.

avrooster

If coming from BA, as you indicated and beyond budget considerations, I would fly to Punta and rent a car in Punta. You would gain a lot of vacation time but, of course it would cost you.