Punta del Este Shore Excursion: Private Sightseeing Tour of Punta del Este
Punta del Este, Uruguay
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
When your ship pulls into port at Punta del Este, spend half a day on a private shore excursion of the coastal resort town in southern Uruguay. Marvel at ocean views from Punta Ballena (Whale Point) before your guide drives you through sophisticated downtown neighborhoods. See the sailboats of unspoiled Playa Brava, a popular beach featuring whimsical sculptures, and stroll along Gorlero Avenue and Artigas Square to browse local shops during a bit of free time. Round-trip port transport by private vehicle is included.
- 4-hour Punta del Este private shore excursion
- Enjoy a scenic drive with fantastic coastal views from Punta Ballena with your private guide
- Discover the lovely neighborhoods of Beverly Hills, San Rafael and Cantegril
- Admire the pristine seaport and sailboats of Playa Brava
- Spend free time strolling Gorlero Avenue, lined with shops, galleries and restaurants
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Port pickup and drop-off
- Viator's worry-free policy
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
We will pick you up at your Hotel or we will be waiting you at the pier with a sign with your name.
Itinerary
When your ship docks at the cruise terminal, enjoy a convenient pickup by private vehicle. Start your Punta del Este shore excursion with a scenic coastal drive around the peninsular resort town, narrated by your knowledgeable private guide.
Soak up ocean views from Punta Ballena and search for migrating whales before taking in the sophisticated residences of upscale neighborhoods including Beverly Hills, Cantagril and San Rafael. Admire the pristine beaches and multicolored homes of La Barra del Maldonado, then get a panoramic view of this scene from La Gogorita.
Cross Maldonado Stream toward Jagüel Park with its impressive animal sculptures, and end up at Playa Brava to watch the sailboats and snap photos of La Mano (The Hand), also known as Los Dedos (The Fingers) — a sculpture by Chilean artist Mario Irarrázabal that depicts five human fingers emerging from the sandy beach. Your guide also takes you to Playa Mansa, located on the opposite side of the peninsula.
When you reach Gorlero Avenue, step out of your tour vehicle to walk the coastal promenade. Use your free time to purchase a meal (own expense) or browse the local art galleries and shops of Artigas Square, which features some of the city's best handicrafts including Uruguayan leather, wood and glass products.
Your 4-hour tour ends with return transport to your cruise ship.
Worry-free Shore Excursion:
We will ensure your timely return to the Punta del Este port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
Soak up ocean views from Punta Ballena and search for migrating whales before taking in the sophisticated residences of upscale neighborhoods including Beverly Hills, Cantagril and San Rafael. Admire the pristine beaches and multicolored homes of La Barra del Maldonado, then get a panoramic view of this scene from La Gogorita.
Cross Maldonado Stream toward Jagüel Park with its impressive animal sculptures, and end up at Playa Brava to watch the sailboats and snap photos of La Mano (The Hand), also known as Los Dedos (The Fingers) — a sculpture by Chilean artist Mario Irarrázabal that depicts five human fingers emerging from the sandy beach. Your guide also takes you to Playa Mansa, located on the opposite side of the peninsula.
When you reach Gorlero Avenue, step out of your tour vehicle to walk the coastal promenade. Use your free time to purchase a meal (own expense) or browse the local art galleries and shops of Artigas Square, which features some of the city's best handicrafts including Uruguayan leather, wood and glass products.
Your 4-hour tour ends with return transport to your cruise ship.
Worry-free Shore Excursion:
We will ensure your timely return to the Punta del Este port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
1
Mano de Punta del Este
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Playa Brava (Pass By)
2
Avenida Gorlero
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Playa Mansa
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Mirador Punta Ballena
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Enjoy Punta del Este Resort & Casino (Pass By)
5
Puerto de Punta del Este
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Casapueblo
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Punta Ballena (Pass By)
7
Museo – Taller de Casapueblo
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Puente De La Barra (Pass By)
8
Parque El Jaguel
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 3 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.0
based on 39 reviews
Darrell_E, Jan 2026
We saw all of the important landmarks outlined in the travel brochures. The beach community here is quite beautiful. Our tour guide Franco did an excellent job as did our driver Danielle.
Kathy_L, Dec 2025
The tour was rich in history and local folklore. Our tour included an interpreter that spoke amazing English. All the main sights were included and we got to go at our own pace.
helenetennis, Feb 2025
Wonderful guide, excellent driver. We had a wonderful beautiful tour of Punta del Este!!
What a beautiful peninsula !’
Thank you, Viator.
Indira_G, Jan 2025
Pablo is a local and very knowledgeable about the area. He took us to a Ralli museum that was a phenomenal experience and customized the trip after that to match the group’s interest.
kathrinbachmann, Jan 2025
We met our driver/guide Nestor and Sophia, his translator, at the jetty. It was rather surprising that a guide in Punta del Este does not speak English and needs a translator. Sophia, only 17 years old, said that they were a team. Her English was ok but not more. Since I understand Spanish I noted that her translations were not always accurate. The car was nice and clean. They drove us around to various beaches and we did a lot of house watchin. They told us the name of the places and streets. However, we soon realized that the driver was not really knowledgeable. We had to ask for information and sometimes they could not answers e.g. number of people living in Punta del este (I googled it), or which kind of art is exhibited in the Ralli Museum (contemporary Latinoamerican Art, I googled it also). Nestor did not tell us anything about the history of the place or other interesing facts about the region. We think that he think it is sufficent to be native of punta del Este to be a guide. Both never left the car, they just dropped us to take photos. Finally we went to Casa del pueblo. No information about the place, they dropped us and away the were. Even at the end of the tour they did not leave the car to say goodbye. Not professional at all. And 450 $ is just over the limit for such a private Tour - it is definitely not worth the money!
Response from Host, Jan 2025
You can be assured that no customer will ever experience such horrible service again. Nestor will no longer be our provider starting today. Thank you for your help.
Gayle_Y, Mar 2024
The guide wasn’t waiting for us at the port, he ran late and didn’t bother to notify us! We get to the vehicle and the air conditioning is broken! On top of all that ….We couldn’t understand him at all! We salvaged our day by going to art galleries and The Maca sculpture Garden Museum! This tour company refused to accept simple feedback of our experience…. So hence an honest review of our day!!
RevelynR_F, Feb 2024
Even though the tour was nice the cost was too expensive. mostly shown were buildings and residences and as expected was the long stretch of beaches, which was good.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
You have booked a Punta del Este city tour.
Benedict_C, Jan 2024
We went to many beautiful places, including the HANDS, which is not included in any of the cruise excursion. Both the driver and guides are extremely courteous that you feel they are your good old friends.
Thomas_E, Jan 2024
The tour guide was very good, not enough sights. This tour could have been done in 2 hours. It’s a very nice city, but only a couple of must see spots.
Wish we would have done a shorter, cheaper tour.
Walter_L, Apr 2023
Great tour. Very simple tour around the town and nearby location. It was best to be in a small group and not on a big bus. The tour guy and driver brought us through the neighborhoods and explained the history. She brought us to all the key locations and tourist highlights.
Consuelo_S, Feb 2023
Beautiful city, great tour. We spent the day with a private guide who was very experienced and knowledgeable. We saw beautiful sights and learned much about the area. I highly recommend this tour company.
Bonnie_S, Jan 2023
This was so easy and what a great way to see Punta del Este without a huge group and crowds! When they heard we were golfers, they swung by the golf course and let me buy a club cover for my husband. I felt like we saw more of the island and history in a short time than even possible. Finally, after going to the dock and seeing fresh fish, they took us to a fabulous restaurant on the beach! It was the best!! We easily strolled back with plenty of time to take the tender!
Frank_W, Apr 2020
The guide had only moved to Punta del Este 2 months prior to our tour. She had no previous experience as a tour guide. She was very pleasant but her English was not very good. she relied on the driver to tell her about the sights in spanish and then she would relay to us that information in English. We did cover the major sights of the area.
Daniel_S, Mar 2020
We were given a very nice overview of Punta del Este. It was nothing exceptional, but our guide was very friendly, his English was good and he clearly wanted to be sure we saw everything possible in our allotted time. Admittedly, there is not a lot to see in Punta Del Este and so half the tour was in museums. We certainly have no complaints about the excursion.
Jacques_B, Feb 2020
Lovely and relaxed 4 hour tour, taking in all the highlights. Well worth the money. Would recommend.
Frank_B, Jan 2020
We booked a tour for four people, thankfully only three took the tour. The tour guide arrived 15 minutes late. He apologized for being late and told us he needed to pick up the car for the tour. The tour for four people was done in a Nissan Altima. The car was way to small for two six foot men. The tour guides English was not up to that of a professional tour guide. We could have taken a tour at pier side for much less money in a comfortable van.
Response from Host, Jan 2020
Dear Bancome, tour for four is always done in a Van with 6 or more seats. Your tour was for only 3 people.
RebeccaM_J, Mar 2018
Orlando was on time and very professional. He had a clean Mercedes sedan with water bottles for us. He hit all the interesting highlights and got us back to our ship exactly when we asked.
He is a very nice gentleman.
richard b, Jan 2018
Excellent tour guide whom my two children and my wife and I enjoyed thoroughly.
Thomas J, Jan 2018
Great tour if you are looking for a lot of sites in a short period of time. Our guide was prompt and very personable who took time to share info that you would not experience on a group tour.
Not only did we see the main points of interest, we visited several that sites that were unique. As examples, the bridge that has 2 10 foot humps that allow boat traffic and the most unusual curio shop - souvenir shop and a museum dedicated to cannabis and it's legalization in Uruguay
.
Veronica_G, Mar 2017
Overall this is highly recommendable. Great sights, great tour guide, comfortable vehicle. Just recommend to include Maldonado in the tour so travelers can also see the old town of Punta del Este.
Philip B, Feb 2017
Picked up from the quayside, Franco was waiting for us. There was just the four of us on this tour so very personal. Franco was only 17 but very keen to please, excellent English and he wanted to make sure we had seen the highlights. There are some beautiful houses there and lovely beaches but not a lot of sightseeing attractions. Franco answered all our questions but we felt that he could have given us more general information about Uruguay this was probably due to his age. The tour was expensive compared to others we had booked in Argentinaand Chile
Nancy L, Mar 2016
The father and son team of driver and guide was really great. The son, at times hard to understand, but tried very hard to give us a good tour. We felt we saw everything in the area and were provided good local information along the way.
NICOLE D, Jan 2016
we had a lovely time with Jeronimo. He showed us everything. we higly recommanded him.
Anonymous, Mar 2015
Very interesting. Pretty beaches,beach front restaurants,new condos. This appears to be the up and coming go to place.
DeeDee McCutchan, Feb 2015
Our guide did not speak fluent english as promised. She and the driver were sweet, but they kept chatting with each other instead of giving us information on the sites. The tour was not organized either. It felt as if we were just driving around through neighborhoods listening to friends chat in the front seat. When we did pass a point of interest we were well past it before we were able to interpret what our guide was trying to say. It got so annoying that 2 of our group returned to the ship before the tour was over. I would not recommend this shore excursion.
Janice H G, Jan 2015
Great tour, what a lovely place. Private tours are wonderful. Guide was very knowledgeable and helpful.
Richard S, Feb 2014
this was a perfectly pleasant tour of a place with very little to see. The guide was pleasant and professional
t
SERGIO_A, Mar 2023
Muy amable la guia y le conducto, nos hicieron favor de adelantar el tour, ya que le crucero llego antes. En tono momento una platica muy amena y conocedores del tema!. La pasamos muy bien en un lugar maravilloso!
From $246.00
per personup to 3 days in advance
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Punta del Este Shore Excursion: Private Sightseeing Tour of Punta del Este
39
4 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$246.00
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
- City Tours
- Half-day Tours
- Bus Tours
- Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
- Private and Luxury
- Punta del Este
- City Tours - Montevideo
- Half-day Tours - Montevideo
- Bus Tours - Montevideo
- Half-day Tours - Colonia del Sacramento
- Bus Tours - Colonia del Sacramento
- City Tours - Buenos Aires
- Half-day Tours - Buenos Aires
- Bus Tours - Buenos Aires
Attractions in Punta del Este, Uruguay
- Gorlero Avenue (Avenida Gorlero) Tours & Tickets
- Punta del Este Cruise Port Tours & Tickets
- Casapueblo (Museo Taller de Casapueblo) Tours & Tickets
- Hand of Punta del Este (La Mano de Punta del Este) Tours & Tickets
- Mansa Beach (Playa Mansa) Tours & Tickets
- Punta del Este Ralli Museum (Museo Ralli) Tours & Tickets
- Yacht Club Punta del Este Tours & Tickets
- Port of Punta del Este (Puerto de Punta del Este) Tours & Tickets
More attractions near Punta del Este, Uruguay
- Casapueblo (Museo Taller de Casapueblo) Tours & Tickets
- Hand of Punta del Este (La Mano de Punta del Este) Tours & Tickets
- Punta del Este Cruise Port Tours & Tickets
- Port of Punta del Este (Puerto de Punta del Este) Tours & Tickets
- Yacht Club Punta del Este Tours & Tickets
- Punta del Este Ralli Museum (Museo Ralli) Tours & Tickets
- Gorlero Avenue (Avenida Gorlero) Tours & Tickets