Puerto de Punta del Este (Tender Pier) → Avenida Gorlero & Plaza Artigas
Disembark at the tender landing, pass the yacht marina, and walk 400 m east to Avenida Gorlero, lined with cafes, banks, and craft markets.
Cruise port in Uruguay
Punta del Este
Explore on foot directly from the pier. Average time in port: 9 hours. 37 places to explore.
- Ships calling here
- 9 ships
- Upcoming sailings
- 120 sailings
- Average time in port
- About 9 hours
- Lowest fare
- From USD 1,051
Photo by Pedro Slinger on Unsplash
After disembarking
Cruise ships dock at Puerto de Punta del Este. Explore on foot directly from the pier.
- Where the ship docks
Cruise ships dock at Puerto de Punta del Este.
- Tender Landing and Walkability in Punta del Este
Cruise ships anchor offshore, and tender boats take passengers to Puerto de Punta del Este, the yacht marina inside the peninsula. Wild sea lions live around the pier, and Gorlero Street, the main shopping area, is a 5-minute walk from the landing point.
- Hire a Taxi Round Trip with Waiting Time for Casapueblo
Public transport to Casapueblo on the Punta Ballena cliffs is infrequent, and it is a long walk from the stop. It is most efficient to agree in advance with a regular taxi at the port on a round-trip fare (about 40–50 USD / 1,600–2,000 UYU) that includes a 1-hour wait while visiting.
About 9 hours in port: where can you go?
Time available at the destination after subtracting return travel.
- Punta del EsteAt the pierTime at destinationAbout 9 hr
- Punta BallenaAbout 25 min each wayTime at destinationAbout 8 hr
- José IgnacioAbout 45 min each wayTime at destinationAbout 7 hr 30 min
Return travel Time at destination
Calculated from the average time in port. Return deadlines vary by sailing; check the daily programme on board.
Between the terminal, city and airport
Travel between the terminal, city center, railway station and airport.
Puerto de Punta del Este (Tender Pier) → La Mano (Los Dedos Sculpture, Playa Brava)
Walk about 1.2 km straight across the peninsula from the marina pier toward Playa Brava in the east to reach La Mano, the giant finger sculpture rising from the sand.
Puerto de Punta del Este → Casapueblo (Punta Ballena)
At the marina taxi stand, agree on a round-trip fare that includes a 1-hour sightseeing wait, then travel by vehicle to Casapueblo, the white Mediterranean-style art museum by Carlos Páez Vilaró on the western cliffs.
Puerto de Punta del Este → José Ignacio Village & Lighthouse
Take a fixed-fare taxi to José Ignacio or a pre-booked private car from the pier along National Route 10 east to explore the upscale resort fishing village and lighthouse.
Punta del Este places to explore
Explore 27 checked places. Select a pin to see its card, or choose View on map from a card.
Isla de Lobos
A protected island off Punta del Este, habitat to South American sea lions and fur seals. Visits to the island are only possible on organized tours.
Puente de La Barra
A bridge over Arroyo Maldonado connecting to La Barra, included in a list of Punta del Este's main sightseeing spots.
- Hours
- Daily 24 hours
Reviews say there are no protective barriers on the water side when walking across the bridge and vehicles pass close by, so take care.
Faro de Punta del Este
A lighthouse built in 1860 on the peninsula in the old-town area, with panoramic coastal views and a good setting for photos and sunset walks.
- Admission
- UYU 50
- Hours
- Mon–Wed Closed
Thu–Sun 10:00–13:00, 14:00–17:00
Cards are not accepted if you plan to climb the lighthouse, so bring Uruguayan pesos in cash.
Museo Ralli
An art museum exhibiting contemporary Latin American art, described as being in a tree-filled park in the Beverly Hills district.
- Admission
- Free
La Mano
A sculpture of fingers rising from the sand at Playa Brava. Local tourism information describes it as Punta del Este's most visited landmark.
- Hours
- Daily 24 hours
If you want a photo of the hand sculpture without people, avoid busy times or allow time to wait for your turn.
Ermita de la Virgen de la Candelaria
A small sanctuary on a rock, reached by walking along the coast from La Mano, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, patron saint of Punta del Este. It is covered with notes and dedications left by visitors.
- Hours
- Daily 24 hours
Trips nearby
With enough time in port, you can explore beyond the city. One-way times are approximate.
Punta Ballena
About 25 min each wayTime at destination About 8 hr
NeighborhoodsPunta BallenaA coastal viewpoint area in Punta Ballena, where Casapueblo is located.
SightsCasapuebloA building created by artist Carlos Páez Vilaró in Punta Ballena, 13 km from Punta del Este. Originally his summer home and studio, it now has a museum and workshop. On the museum terrace, a recorded poem is played to farewell the sun.
SightsArboretum LussichAn arboretum in Punta Ballena, with introduced species adapted to the local climate and native Uruguayan trees, described as suitable for a family outing.
Do not bring dogs to Arboretum Lussich.
José Ignacio
About 45 min each wayTime at destination About 7 hr 30 min
NeighborhoodsJosé IgnacioA small peninsula village projecting into the sea, only a 5-minute walk across. Its hand-painted street signs are distinctive; one beach is calm for swimming while the other suits surfing and kitesurfing.
SightsFaro de José IgnacioA lighthouse on the eastern side of the José Ignacio peninsula, guiding ships since 1877.
Bring cash if you plan to climb the lighthouse.
Food and cafésParador La HuellaA restaurant on José Ignacio Beach, serving carefully presented dishes in a relaxed atmosphere and frequently appearing on Uruguayan dining lists.
Even when told to expect a 5–10-minute wait on site, reviews say it took almost an hour, so do not schedule your return to the ship too tightly.
Food and cafésMarismoA restaurant in José Ignacio described as serving dishes made with seasonal local ingredients beside an open fire on the sand.
Reviews say the restaurant fills up quickly, so reserve in advance if you plan to visit.
ActivitiesHorseback Riding in José IgnacioA riding center on a hill in José Ignacio, described as offering lessons and beach rides.
NeighborhoodsPlaya Brava de José IgnacioA beach with large waves, good for surfing and kitesurfing.
NeighborhoodsPlaya del FaroOne of the main beaches in José Ignacio.
Cruises calling at Punta del Este
120 sailings are grouped into 41 cruises by ship and route.
MSC Cruises8 departure datesBook now
Sailing 2026.12 ~ 2027.03Americas cruises · 8 nights · Mid-length cruise
Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay
Buenos Aires departure · round trip
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 1,900
MSC CruisesBook now
Sailing 2026.12Americas cruises · 8 nights · Mid-length cruise
Santos, Balneario Camboriu, Punta Del Este, Montevideo, Buenos Aires
Santos departure · round trip
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 1,223
Celebrity Cruises2 departure datesBook now
Sailing 2026.12 ~ 2027.12Americas cruises · 14 nights · Long cruise
14 Night Patagonia & Argentina Cruise - Christmas
Buenos Aires departure · round trip
Lowest departure fareCheck with the booking provider
MSC CruisesSailing 2026.12Americas cruises · 5 nights
Santos, Balneario Camboriu, Punta Del Este, Montevideo, Buenos Aires
Santos → Buenos Aires
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 1,140
MSC Cruises4 departure datesBook now
Sailing 2026.12 ~ 2027.03Americas cruises · 8 nights · Mid-length cruise
Rio de Janeiro, Ilhabela, Balneario Camboriu, Punta Del Este, Buenos Aires
Rio de Janeiro departure · round trip
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 1,195
MSC CruisesBook now
Sailing 2026.12Americas cruises · 8 nights · Mid-length cruise
Balneario Camboriu, Punta Del Este, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Santos
Camboriú departure · round trip
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 1,213
MSC Cruises9 departure datesBook now
Sailing 2026.12 ~ 2027.02Americas cruises · 7 nights
Buenos Aires, Santos, Balneario Camboriu, Punta Del Este
Buenos Aires departure · round trip
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 1,519
MSC Cruises11 departure datesBook now
Sailing 2026.12 ~ 2027.02MSC Cruises7 departure datesBook now
Sailing 2026.12 ~ 2027.02Americas cruises · 7 nights
Balneario Camboriu, Punta Del Este, Buenos Aires, Santos
Camboriú departure · round trip
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 1,481
Celebrity Cruises2 departure datesBook now
Sailing 2026.12 ~ 2027.12Americas cruises · 14 nights · Long cruise
14 Night Patagonia & Argentina Holiday - Christmas at Sea
Buenos Aires departure · round trip
Lowest departure fareCheck with the booking provider
Holland America LineSailing 2026.12Americas cruises · 22 nights · Long cruise
22-Day South America & Antarctica Holiday
Buenos Aires → Valparaiso
Per person, double occupancyCheck with the booking provider
MSC Cruises2 departure datesBook now
Sailing 2026.12 ~ 2027.01Americas cruises · 9 nights · Mid-length cruise
Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina
Rio de Janeiro departure · round trip
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 1,623
41 cruises call at this port.
Ships calling at Punta del Este
Explore cabin types, dining and deck facilities for each ship.
MSC Cruises · 40 sailings
MSC Meraviglia
20 cabin types · 11 dining venues · 74 entertainment options · 15 decks
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MSC Cruises · 33 sailings
MSC Seaview
18 cabin types · 11 dining venues · 70 entertainment options · 16 decks
Explore the ship
MSC Cruises · 26 sailings
MSC Splendida
16 cabin types · 8 dining venues · 46 entertainment options · 14 decks
Explore the ship
Celebrity Cruises · 12 sailings
Celebrity Equinox
27 cabin types · 12 dining venues · 36 entertainment options · 14 decks
Explore the ship
About Punta del Este
Often likened to the Hamptons or St-Tropez, Punta del Este is a flashy destination where parties run nonstop in peak season. But it is also a destination that draws a range of beachgoers to its shores, from summering families to the celebrity jet-set. There's a bustling city on the beach downtown, as well as quiet countryside populated solely with upscale ranches called chacras or estancias, and creative, buzzing hamlets like La Barra and José Ignacio. Though it's pricey and at times a logistical challenge to get around, everyone finds something about Punta to love.The resort takes its name from the "east point" marking the division of the Río de la Plata on the west from the Atlantic Ocean to the east. It also lends its name to the broader region encompassing the nearby communities of Punta Ballena and La Barra de Maldonado. These days even José Ignacio, some 20 miles away, is grouped in. It's usually a given that Argentina’s upper class spends at least part of the summer in Punta, soaking in the ample rays.
Cruise lines calling here: 5 places
Celebrity CruisesHolland America LineMSC CruisesPrincess CruisesRegent Seven Seas Cruises
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