Uruguay Summer

For most of the year, the Uruguayan coastal towns of La Barra and Jose Ignacio remain sleepy fishing villages, with no hint of glitz or glamour. Dirt roads, rustic bungalows, and tranquil beaches characterize these towns for eleven months out of the year.

From mid-December to mid-January however, the entire atmosphere of these towns change, becoming havens for the rich and famous who come to relish in the height of South America’s summer.  Designer homes and cottages remove their shutters in preparation for the arrival of crowds who create traffic jams for miles along the coast. Bars and restaurants open where bars and restaurants previously did not exist and the sands are lined with beach huts to service the influx of tourists. Office spaces turn into party venues.

An enormous tent set up on the dunes of Jose Ignacio becomes master chef Jean Paul Bondoux’s tapas restaurant Etoile du Sud, while Estancia El Noor outside of La Barra becomes a playground for models, actors and international DJs.The wealthy from both North America and Europe put Punta del Este on the map for luxury as early as the 1960’s. As travelers began to seek out even more exclusive seaside destinations, the action began to expand further up the coast.

While Punta del Este retains its reputation as a popular destination for partygoers, La Barra and Jose Ignacio invite relaxation and tranquility. Visitors who are content to unwind at the beach and enjoy a 4 pm lunch thrive in these more laidback destinations.

Whether you are looking to spend your summer holiday in Uruguay seeing and being seen or hiding out beneath the palm trees, Oasis Punta is there to meet you.