Private Punta del Este tour with local guide: Customize your day

A local guide builds the itinerary around what you actually want to see.

A private tour of Punta del Este with a local guide who customizes the route to your pace and interests, covering La Mano sculpture, the port, Casapueblo, and Gorlero Avenue. You choose optional add-ons (lunch, kayaking, a boat ride, or museum visits) at booking, so the day fits your travel style. The guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese, and transportation is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Port of Punta del Este30m
2. Hand of Punta del Este15m
3. Casapueblo40m
4. Gorlero Avenuepassing by

Explore Punta del Este highlights

• Visit lively Punta del Este port
• See famous Hand of Punta del Este sculpture
• Pass by Punta del Este lighthouse
• Tour Casapueblo art and architecture
• Enjoy panoramic coastal viewpoint
• Visit historic small church
• Pass by Playa Brava beach
• Drive through Avenida Gorlero commercial area
• Pass historic military building in Maldonado
• Pass old watchtower site in Maldonado

The experience

What makes this tour different is that you're not following a fixed itinerary. The guide meets you, learns what draws you in, and shapes the stops around that. You might spend longer at the port watching sea lions and hearing about the fishing traditions, or linger at Casapueblo to understand the artist Carlos Páez Vilaró's vision, or focus on the commercial energy of Gorlero Avenue and how seasonal tourism shapes the city. The pace is yours, and the conversation goes where your curiosity leads.

The core route covers the landmarks most visitors want: La Mano, the iconic sculpture installed in 1982 on Playa Brava; the lighthouse built in the 19th century; the port where yachts and fishing boats dock; and Casapueblo, the cliffside architectural masterpiece overlooking the ocean. You'll also pass through the historic areas of nearby Maldonado, where colonial defense systems shaped the region's early development. The guide provides context on how public art, maritime history, and urban development wove together to make Punta del Este what it is today.

At checkout, you add the experiences that matter to you. Choose a museum and art tour to dig deeper into the city's cultural side, visit the Lapataia farm for local flavor, rent a kayak or SUP to get on the water, take a boat ride out to Gorriti island, or book lunch at a beachside restaurant. The vehicle is air-conditioned, has WiFi on board, and the guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese. The tour runs anywhere from four hours to a full day, depending on what you select and how much time you want to spend.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• WiFi on board.
• a local guide who customizes the route to your interests.
• pickup included.
• optional add-ons selected at checkout such as lunch, kayaking, a boat ride to Gorriti island, or museum visits.

Options for this experience

6 options

Highlights of Punta del EsteGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · No fixed timePickup is included

Kayak or SUP hireGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · No fixed timeHire a kayak or SUP: Paddle through the calm waters of Punta del Este on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard (30 minutes). Ideal for beginners and families. Pickup is included

Lunch at a beachside restaurantGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · No fixed timeLasts 1 hour: Add a stop to unwind at one of Punta del Este's charming beach restaurants. Soak up the sun, water and sand, and enjoy a fresh lunch or drink. Pickup is included

See 3 more options

Boat trip to Gorriti IslandGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · No fixed timeBoat ride included: Sail from the port of Punta del Este on a scenic trip to Gorriti Island, a historic landmark with stunning coastal views. Pickup is included

Visit Lapataia farmGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · No fixed timeTaste Uruguayan dulce de leche: Make an extra stop at Lapataia farm to enjoy the typical dessert, panqueques de dulce de leche. Pickup is included

Tour of museums and artGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · No fixed timeVisit museums in Punta del Este: Discover the cultural side of Punta del Este with visits to Casapueblo, the Ralli Museum and the Atchugarry Museum. Pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 98 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Urban Heart Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to move at your own pace and focus on what genuinely interests you, rather than following a set schedule with a group. The customizable add-ons mean you can build a half-day cultural tour, a full-day adventure with water activities, or anything in between: all with the same guide and vehicle.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is La Mano and why is it such a big deal in Punta del Este?

La Mano is an iconic sculpture created by Chilean artist Mario Irarrázabal, installed on Playa Brava in 1982. It became one of the most recognizable landmarks of the city and a symbol of Punta del Este's international image, making it ideal for photos and understanding how public art shaped the city's identity.

Can I see sea lions on this tour?

Yes. The port is one of the liveliest areas of Punta del Este, where you'll observe famous sea lions resting near the docks while learning about the city's maritime roots and fishing traditions.

What is Casapueblo and what will I learn there?

Casapueblo is a unique architectural masterpiece created by Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró, perched on a clifftop overlooking the ocean. During the visit, you'll learn about the artist's philosophy, cultural identity, and how Casapueblo became a symbol of creativity and spirituality in Uruguay's artistic heritage.

Can I add lunch or activities like kayaking to the tour?

Yes. At checkout, you choose from optional add-ons including a kayak or SUP rental, a boat ride to Gorriti island, lunch at a beachside restaurant, or a museums and art tour. You pick which ones fit your day.

How long does the tour take?

The tour runs from four hours to a full day, depending on which add-ons you select and how much time you want to spend at each stop.