Outings and excursions · La Paloma
Rocha beaches: which one suits your trip
Photos: Pablofor / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
From La Paloma to Punta del Diablo, the Rocha coast has a beach town for every style. A quick guide to choose.
The Atlantic coast of Rocha is wilder and less built-up than Maldonado. Each beach town has its own character, and choosing well makes the difference between a quiet holiday and a lively one.
La Paloma: for families
Beaches for every taste, services all year round and the Cabo Santa María lighthouse as a landmark. A good base to explore the rest of the coast.
La Pedrera: cliffs and a young crowd
Beaches open to the ocean, views from the bluffs and a small village that comes alive at night in summer.
Cabo Polonio: no cars, no rush
It is part of a National Park and you cannot drive in: you leave your car at the terminal on Route 10, km 264.5, and cross the dunes in authorised 4x4 trucks (about 30 minutes) or on foot. Inside are the lighthouse and the sea lion reserve.
Valizas and Aguas Dulces: simple and rustic
Fishing villages and low houses, for those who want to unplug without many comforts.
Punta del Diablo: a busy fishing village
Beautiful beaches, surfing and crowds in January. A few kilometres away is Santa Teresa National Park, with its fortress, woods and campsite.
Tips
- January fills up fast: book ahead.
- Timetables and fares for the trucks to Cabo Polonio change by season: check at the terminal or on the Turismo Rocha website.
- The open sea in Rocha can be rough: follow the flags and swim where there are lifeguards.
