Somewhere up the coast of Uruguay, about halfway between Punta del Este and Punta del Diablo, you will find the tiny caserio of Cabo Polonio. Or maybe you won’t. No roads go to this laid-back beach town, it’s separated from the main highway by several miles of mud dirt and sand paved roads. You have two options to get there really:
1. Walk. It’s only 4 hours from Punta del Diablo on foot I’m told. You can do it 😉
OR
2. Catch one of these hilarious looking pick up truck buses:
After a pleasant teeth-jostling ride you’ll arrive in town. If you can even really call it a town. According to Wikipedia the population in 2011 was 95 people in Cabo Polonio. There are no roads, no running water, and variable electricity (there is wifi though, just like everywhere in Uruguay). The place consists mainly of a few ramshackle houses, hostels and restaurants spread out across the sand and grass sprinkled with the odd horse, turkey or rabbit. And then there is the stretch of sand and the ocean.
The place has a decidedly hippie feel, and quite a few of the omnipresent Uruguayan hippies selling bracelets, smoking joints and drinking mate. Aside from the hippies, it’s become a bit of a daytripper tourist experience, with huge amounts of people being carted in for a few hours to poke around. Nonetheless, it’s an incredibly unique little town and it is worth your time to visit Cabo Polonio.
While it may be a trek to get to this little hippy town, Cabo Polonio offers deserted beaches, gorgeous views and more in this quaint little Uruguayan beach town!
Headed to Uruguay? Learn more about travel to this country also known as Le Celeste!
Uruguay: The Best and The Worst
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