My family has been vacationing in Punta del Este for decades. It's a hidden gem in South America.

I've been vacationing in Punta del Este, Uruguay, since I was a toddler. I live in Maine now, but I make an effort to bring my family to the same beach every year. The endless beachfront and excellent food options make it a favorite destination for us. Ever since I was 2 years old, my family has been spending the holiday break at the same beach: Punta del Este, in Uruguay . The beach town is hands down one of my favorite places in the world, not only because of our long-standing family tradition - which I've now kept up with my own kids - but because it's a hidden gem in South America that deserves to be visited at least once. Here's why. There are endless beaches to enjoy Uruguay has opposite seasons to the US, which means it's summer during our winter. For my family of five , that means it's the perfect place to take a break from the sub-zero temperatures of Maine during the holidays. Punta del Este has endless miles of beach, with options for everyone. If you like surfing, there's a popular beach where you can find people sitting on their boards waiting for the perfect wave . For families with young children, there's Playa Mansa, which rarely has waves, making it ideal for kids to wade around in the water. For more experienced swimmers, there's Playa Brava, which offers big waves and strong tides. You can often find merchants walking around with towels, bikinis, dresses, ice cream, and coffee. Some beaches have beach restaurants where you can buy food and drinks, although they can get crowded during peak season. There's so much for kids to do Uruguayans are known for being incredibly kind to kids. You can expect priority lines for families with young children at airports and supermarkets. In my experience, people often go above and beyond at restaurants and shops to ensure kids are happy. Beyond that, there are endless activities to keep kids happy. From ice cream shops to try on every block downtown, to an extensive (and free!) playground called El Jaguel, where families can spend the day exploring the grounds, having lunch, and riding horses. My kids also love the day camps at Portal del Bosque in La Barra, which cost $2,000 Uruguayan pesos, or about $50, where they spend half a day exploring activities such as art, stop-motion animation, soccer, and more. My kids also love visiting the downtown hippie market, getting temporary tattoos , and getting threaded braids. The quality of food is next level Despite having been coming here for 40 years, I still haven't tried all the restaurants that Punta del Este has to offer. There are historical ones, like La Huella in Jose Ignacio, which is loved by both locals and tourists (although securing a table during peak season can be challenging). Highlights include grilled octopus and fish, as well as a dessert volcano of dulce de leche. Lo de Tere in the...

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