Punta Gorda

Location:
Uruguay

Secluded, stunning beauty

Just four kilometers from Nueva Palmira, you’ll find Punta Gorda, also known as the “Pearl of the West”–the reason for the name is clearly evident upon first sight. Geographically unique and visually stunning, Punta Gorda lies at the meeting point of three rivers: the Paraná and Uruguay rivers give way to the Río de la Plata. At its highest point, visitors will find the “Mojón del KM 0”, the marker that signals the parallel where the Río de la Plata is born. Another must-see is Darwin’s Corner, named after the famous naturalist himself, who ventured out to Punta Gorda in his search for fossils and specimens of the region. More than a “corner,” what you’ll actually see is a staircase at the top of the ravine that leads down to the peaceful, sandy shores of the river below.

Punta Gorda is sparsely populated with a handful of houses here and there–no shops, no restaurants. It’s the kind of place where you can spend lazy hours picnicking and just soaking in the lush greenery, or simply wander along the banks of the river at your own leisure. But don’t wander away before the sun sets. Sunsets in Punta Gorda are absolutely glorious and are not to be missed.

Further Information

Travel tips: You'll have to rent a car out of Carmelo if you want to drive to Punta Gorda, or simply get one of the local cabbies to take you. There is no public transportation to this secluded spot, and it's too far to walk.

About this Page

By Claudia Pesce

Claudia Pesce was born in Buenos Aires, but started traveling shortly after her first birthday. Upon returning to Argentina at...

Updated: 17 Jan 2012