Town in Maldonado, Uruguay
Getting around Punta del Este
How to get around Punta del Este
The Peninsula is walkable; elsewhere you need a bike, car, bus or ride app. Local buses link Punta, Maldonado and La Barra.
Ways to get around Punta del Este
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Local bus (Maldonado–Punta del Este) | About UYU 40–80 | Frequent in summer, sparse otherwise |
| Uber | About UYU 400–800 for 5 km | Works in season; fewer cars off-season |
| Taxi | About UYU 400–900 | Metered; surge pricing in January |
Ride-hailing apps in Punta del Este
A 5 km ride costs about $U400–800 ($9.9–19.9).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Uber | Works across Punta; coverage thinner off-season |
- In season, book rides ahead or use local taxis; fares jump in January. Off-season, taxis are scarce, so arrange pickups.
Arriving in Punta del Este
Laguna del Sauce (PDP)
About 20 km west; taxi UYU 1,200–2,000, 25 min. Seasonal flights from Buenos Aires; most visitors arrive via Montevideo airport.
Via Montevideo (MVD)
Bus from Tres Cruces terminal about UYU 400–600, 2–2.5 h; Uber or taxi about UYU 6,000–9,000, 1.5–2 h.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Scooters and quads are rented in season; helmets and licences are checked, and summer traffic is heavy.
- Driving: on the right. Foreign licences are valid for 90 days; rental firms often want an IDP. Zero alcohol limit; headlights on by day.
- Onward travel in Uruguay: Comfortable intercity buses from Montevideo's Tres Cruces terminal reach every town, mostly within 2–6 hours. Buquebus and Colonia Express ferries link Colonia and Montevideo with Buenos Aires.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Punta del Este?
Yes. Apps that work here: Uber.
What's the best way to get around Punta del Este?
The Peninsula is walkable; elsewhere you need a bike, car, bus or ride app. Local buses link Punta, Maldonado and La Barra.
How do I get from the airport to Punta del Este?
About 20 km west; taxi UYU 1,200–2,000, 25 min. Seasonal flights from Buenos Aires; most visitors arrive via Montevideo airport.
Is Punta del Este walkable?
Walkable center.
More about Punta del Este
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Sources
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.