The famed party town of Punta del Este became the place for Argentinean celebrities to see and be seen in the late 1970s and early 1980s, as Mar del Plata started to lose its edge. Today, as the same has happened to Punta del Este, many well-to-do stars have pushed further north along the coast to La Barra and Jose Ignacio in search of a little more privacy and less commercialism. Those desiring quiet boutique hotels should look here. Those on a budget, however, will be limited to places in Punta del Este, where most mid-range hotels and hostels are located. To rub elbows with the high rollers, book a room at one of Punta del Este’s casino resorts.