punta del este
 

we will be in punta del este the end of December. How do we get from the airport to the hotel. we are staying at the cipriani - not sure what it is called now. Are taxis easy to get and are they trustworthy. thanks

renat
hi,I am local, and I consider the fodors forum very useful, I used them on the past for my travel.Are you arriving to punta del este airport? No problem just take a taxi off the airport, taxis has taximeter they will charge for length of trip.Cipriani now is call "mantra",. very nice hotel and casino.No problem with taxi security. Punta del este is the safest beach resort in South America
Enjoy our beaches and people
Have fun

True what Azadian tells you about the safety of taxis. However I think that the Cipriani is very far from the Airport. If I were you I would contact the hotel for advise and quote of ride.
As far as I know the airport if west of Punta del Este, and the Cipriani is some kilometers
East of Punta del Este.

Has anyone heard of the Club Barcelo hotel outside of Punta del Este? They have an all-inclusive arrangement and their facilities look amazing but I can't find any commentary on the internet...

I know there is a fine B arcelo Hotel probably the same one you are talking about. You need a car there, yes or yes. It is located in Portezuelo which a very nice area a few kilometros West of down town PUnta. Actually the best locations are a few kilometres either E or W of downtown Punta. For this reason a car is a must in Punta for any one wishing to go around like locals do.
People go to different beaches, often far from where they live, and choose different restaurants located all over. Besides, casinos are in one place, movie houses in a diffferent places, tennis, golf, ....all require
driving a car is a must.