Punta del Este

The questions people ask first about Punta del Este, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Currency is the Uruguayan peso (UYU, $).Uruguay-wide
• SIM or eSIMAntel (state), Movistar and Claro; prepaid SIM with passport at shops, or an eSIM before you fly.Uruguay-wide
• Tap waterTap water is drinkable throughout.Uruguay-wide
• TippingRestaurant: About 10%.Uruguay-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets C/F/I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Uruguay-wide
• SafetyPunta del Este is one of the safer resort towns in South America; the real risks are summer crowds…

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• Coffee$U 120–250
• Street or quick mealChivito (steak sandwich)$U 500–900
• Beerdraught / supermarket can$U 250–400$U 100–180
• Metro or bus rideLocal bus ride$U 60–120
• SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$U 600–1,200
• Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personUYU 900
• Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomUYU 5,000
• High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomUYU 12,000

A day, not counting the bed: Budget UYU 2,000 · Mid UYU 4,500 · High UYU 9,000

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

PDP Capitán de Corbeta Carlos A. Curbelo (Laguna del Sauce) (About 20 km (12 mi) west of the peninsula; summer flights from Buenos Aires, Brazil and Chile, few or none in winter.) · MVD Montevideo Carrasco (More connections and usually cheaper; about 1 h 30 min to Punta del Este by bus.)PDP Capitán de Corbeta Carlos A. Curbelo (Laguna del Sauce) (About 12 mi (20 km) west of the peninsula; summer flights from Buenos Aires, Brazil and Chile, few or none in winter.) · MVD Montevideo Carrasco (More connections and usually cheaper; about 1 h 30 min to Punta del Este by bus.)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

$U 2,000–3,500 excl. bed

Mid

$U 3,500–6,500 excl. bed

High

$U 6,500+ excl. bed

• Book beds and buses weeks ahead between Christmas and Carnival; this is the most expensive accommodation on the continent.
• Club entry and drinks peak in late Dec–early Jan and drop after mid-January.
• Most ticket agents at the bus terminal speak only Spanish.
• PDP airport has very few winter flights: check schedules before planning around it.
• Summer border crossings from Argentina can add hours by car.