Cidade Turismo
Uruguay

Before you go

Your trip to La Paloma.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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La Paloma – Rocha Destination Costa de Rocha

How to get there

  • Aeropuerto Internacional de Punta del Este Capitán de Corbeta Carlos A. Curbelo (PDP) Maldonado · 123 km
  • Aeropuerto Internacional de Carrasco (MVD) Ciudad de la Costa · 208 km
  • Terminal de Ómnibus de La Paloma 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

From Chuí/Chuy, follow Ruta 9 to the Rocha area and Ruta 15 to the coast, about 160 km. From Montevidéu it's about 240 km via the Interbalnearia and Ruta 9, with buses from Terminal Tres Cruces. Check before buying.

How many days

Two days are enough for the lighthouse, the beaches and Laguna de Rocha. With three or four days, La Paloma can be a base for a day trip to Cabo Polonio, about 46 km via Ruta 10.

When to go

From December to March is the high season, with crowded beaches and open businesses, especially in January. Outside summer the town is quiet, but services operate year-round. From June to August it is cold and windy. Southern right whales usually pass along the coast between July and October.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Within La Paloma you can walk or cycle between the center, the lighthouse and the nearby beaches. For Laguna de Rocha, La Pedrera and Cabo Polonio a car helps; there are regional buses along Ruta 10 and Ruta 15.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in La Paloma
  1. Morning
    Cabo Santa María lighthouse

    Climb the lighthouse, if it's open, and walk through the old town and along the tip of the cape, facing the island La Tuna.

  2. Afternoon
    Beaches of La Paloma

    Choose the beach: El Cabito for calm water, Balconada for open sea, or the long stretch at La Aguada and Costa Azul.

  3. Late afternoon
    Sunset at Balconada

    Join the crowd at Balconada to watch the sun set over the sea. In summer the beach fills up.

  4. Evening
    Dinner on Avenida Solari

    Dine in the center, around Avenida Solari. Local fish and seafood form the basis of the menus; things pick up after 9:00 p.m.

2 days in La Paloma

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Lighthouse and old town

    Start with the lighthouse and the old town, with views of the cape and the harbor.

  2. Afternoon
    Beach

    Spend the afternoon at one of the town's beaches, choosing between sheltered waters and open-sea beaches.

  3. Late afternoon
    Balconada

    Watch the sunset at Balconada, a tradition among La Paloma's regulars.

  4. Evening
    Town center

    Have dinner in the town center.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Laguna de Rocha

    Do the Barra de la Laguna trail, which has a bird observatory, starting from the junction of Rutas 10 and 15.

  2. Afternoon
    La Pedrera

    Follow Ruta 10 for a few kilometers to La Pedrera, a neighboring village with beaches among rocky formations.

  3. Late afternoon
    Return along the coast

    Return to La Paloma along the coast and enjoy the end of the day at La Aguada beach.

  4. Evening
    Fish of the day

    Dine on fish from the local catch at a restaurant in the resort town.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Is La Paloma open outside the summer season?

Yes. It is the most developed town on the Rocha coast, with residents, shops and services year-round, although some beach restaurants close outside the season.

Can you go from La Paloma to Cabo Polonio in the same day?

Yes. La Puerta del Polonio, the village entrance, is about 46 km via Ruta 10. From there, the dune crossing is done in the park's authorized vehicles.

Does La Paloma have sheltered beaches?

Yes. El Cabito, next to the cape, and the bay beaches such as Los Botes and Bahía Grande are usually more sheltered than the open-sea beaches.

What is the distance from Chuí to La Paloma?

About 160 km via Ruta 9 and Ruta 15, a little over two hours by car.

Where is La Pedrera?

It is the neighboring village, a few kilometers northeast along Ruta 10, with beaches among rock formations and a relaxed atmosphere.

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