If your planning on visiting Uruguay and you are in search of some delightful sunny summer days then i would suggest that you plan to come sometime within the months of December, January, February and March.The summer peak season is considered to be January and…Read More

If your planning on visiting Uruguay and you are in search of some delightful sunny summer days then i would suggest that you plan to come sometime within the months of December, January, February and March.
The summer peak season is considered to be January and February although i can definately say that along the coastal shores of this small country it gets specially crazy from the 28th of December to the 15 of January!
The variety of options you can choose from are extense ... but i would dare to highlight that some of the most beautiful beaches and coastal towns are Piriapolis, Punta del Este (number one attraction for tourists), La Paloma, La Pedrera, Punta del Diablo and Cabo Polonio.
We were planning on taking a full month vacation (from the 15th of December to the 15th of January) with our kids and were in search of a more tranquile and small town. La Paloma was our selected destination.
The same is located within the Rocha department and is very close by to other very well known beaches such as La Aguaga and La pedrera.
Rocha is within 2 hours and a half driving distance from Montevideo (capital city of Uruguay).
We rented a pretty wooden, rustic style house at "La Serena".
Within La Paloma you will find various beaches and each of these are differentiated by names.
The closest beach near to our location was "La Serena" (same name as the area that surrounds the beach).
You will also find close by the beaches "Anaconda" as well as "Zanja Honda" and the very well know "Los Botes".
I would describe all these as fantastic selections for families with young children or for those in search of wide beach areas with low to no waves and not too crowded areas.
We spent most of our time at the beach called "Zanja Honda" as the same offers some beautiful sheds built with straw roofs that provided a wonderful shade for our little ones to play under. You will have to rent these but the costs per day are cheap (approximately 15USD with one comfortable beach chair).
This beach is within walking distance to any of the others i mentioned previously but closest to "The botes".
The Botes is well known for its fisherman style and for the picturesque image of wooden boats coming in from the sea with a variety of fresh fish that they clean and cut along the shore, and they sell at moderate prices, already washed and ready for you to take away!
A little further away for these beaches if the famous "Balconada". The beach is located within sand dunes and the waves are a little more impresvie. In order to get refreshed you will have to dive in directly as the depth of the shore is not very shallow. Not too recommended if planning on going with kids.
From the Balconada you will have some fantastic views of the FARO (lighthouse) and by the afternoon many people gather around awaiting for some glorious sunset views that will take your breath away. Dont be alarmed if you start hearing everyone around clapping at the time of the sunset as this is a tradition within local members that has been passed along to the tourists.
Night life is OK ... a couple of clubs open during summer season and at night you can enjoy a pleasant stroll along the central district of this town. Many craftsmen offering some outstanding pieces can be found all around the place and a wide variety of accessories are also interesting to look at as mostly are made with seads and shells.
Entertainment is all around seeking to capture the tourists interest and after they finish with their show they will pass around with a hat in order to receive tips from those who want to collaborate.
Dining options are OK. I will mention in another review the best of my selections.
In order to summarize i would say that is it a great place to go with your family and nightlife is pretty tranquile offering a fantastic opportunity for teenagers! Beaches are clean, natural surroundings are exeptional!   Close

Every year, January 16th, my family and friends have an appointment: we prepare the mate (typical Uruguayan beverage and something that we cannot live without), buy some bizcochos (pastries), fill the gas tank and officially inaugurate the beginning of our holiday. The journey usually takes…Read More

Every year, January 16th, my family and friends have an appointment: we prepare the mate (typical Uruguayan beverage and something that we cannot live without), buy some bizcochos (pastries), fill the gas tank and officially inaugurate the beginning of our holiday.

The journey usually takes three hours and we arrive to La Paloma at around 9am. We leave our luggage, prepare the mate again and go for our first walk of the year on the beach.

Last year was a particularly special holiday because most of our friends managed to go. We rented the same house as previous years, which at this point is kind of our second home. Although there are many hotels in La Paloma, the most required accommodation are rental houses. Price ranges vary a lot, depending on the zone, the distance to the beach, etc. A house close to the beach for 4-5 people cost around US$ 80 per day. "Our house" is located in Costa Azul and it is only one block from the beach.

Although La Paloma is a small town, we always find something to do. Everyday we get up early, have breakfast under the trees while we listen to the ocean sounds, and go to the beach. Barbecuing is mandatory, not everyday but most days! Then nap time and in the afternoon we go to the beach until sunset. Sunsets: another chapter. La Balconada is the place to go. It is said that the most beautiful sunsets are enjoyed there, and when the sun disappears in the ocean, the enthusiastic audience starts to clap.

There are some interesting options for those who enjoy going out at night, from art and craft fairs, to cinema, restaurants, pubs, and three or four discos that are the centre of attention for young people. A couple of years ago, all the discos that were located in La Pedrera (another seaside in Rocha) moved to La Paloma, changing most young people’s destination for their holidays. People start going to the discos at around 4am and leave the place at around 11am or even later, especially during the first two weeks of January.

I highly recommend this beach, both for families and young people who want the beauty of the beaches and a place with interesting options to have fun after the sunset.

Fortunately, I have already booked the house and in a couple of months I will be under the gentle sun of La Paloma.
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