Piriapolis
Discover Piriapolis
Piriápolis is a more laid back version of Punta del Este with fewer fancy restaurants and clubs. Having said that it is probably more convenient for couples and elder people. The tourist office next to the Casino or inside the bus station offers maps, tours and general information.
What to Experience in Piriapolis
Taste of Piriapolis...
While alcohol is served anywhere, there is a time and a place for everything and drinking outside eating areas or before lunch is considered much more rude than illegal. If you need to make a phone call, do not buy a phone card because they work on some phones only. Instead, walk two blocks north of the casino to the state phone company office (Antel). If you have the appropriate band cell phone with the service provided by a major U.S. carrier, it will work just like a local phone. Uruguay has good internet service and many "ciber posts" in case you absolutely have to travel with your laptop while on vacation.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsPiriápolis is about 100 km/65 miles east of Montevideo. From the terminal "Tres Cruces" buses depart about every hour during the day, specially in the high season (December to March). Try to get a direct one, they are a little more expensive but you'll get there in less than two hours. If you travel to Piriápolis directly from Motevideo's airport, it is about 80 km/50 miles but not all the buses that depart Montevideo "Tres Cruces" station stop by the airport so you need to plan accordingly. If you are staying in Punta del Este, then Piriápolis is about 55 km/35 miles west and bus service is also good. Having the hotel arrange a day trip from Punta del Este to Piriápolis is an option. Costs of these day tours would be about triple what the bus ticket costs by itself but still very reasonable. If you land in Punta del Este airport, then Piriápolis is only 25 km/15 miles west....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
If you are on foot, the longest walk (about 1.5 km/1 mile) would be to the marina to take the lift for the San Antonio hill. For the Pan De Azucar hill, take one of the local buses at the bus terminal to Pan de Azucar and get off at the Preserve. There is a taxi stop downtown if you absolutely must use one. On Piria Avenue there are a couple of bicycle stores that rent mopeds and bicycles. Piria Avenue is on the eastern end of town, where the sand ends, and there is a traffic circle. If you are driving, you cannot get lost owing to the geographical markers - if the water is on the left, you are going west towards Montevideo and if the water is behind you, you are going north. If you are planning to go from Piriápolis to Punta del Este by car, do not go past the Marina. Even if that road goes east it transforms itself into a dirt road. It is wonderful to explore the eastern edges of Piriápolis though.
Where to Stay
If you need to make a phone call, do not buy a phone card because they work on some phones only. Instead, walk two blocks north of the casino to the state phone company office (Antel). If you have the appropriate band cell phone with the service provided by a major U.S. carrier, it will work just like a local phone. Uruguay has good internet service and many "ciber posts" in case you absolutely have to travel with your laptop while on vacation.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Piriapolis
aerial view of city buildings near sea during daytime
Balneario Piriápolis
the sun shining through the clouds over the ocean
a group of people standing on top of a sandy beach
people near ocean
brown and black concrete building under blue sky during daytime
a bee sitting on top of a green plant
Bust monument with plaques on grassy mound
a herd of cattle standing on top of a grass covered field
Lush green hills under a bright blue sky.
aerial view of city buildings near sea during daytime
Balneario Piriápolis
the sun shining through the clouds over the ocean