Uruguay · Beach & Island

12-Hour Cabo Polonio Private Tour with Lighthouse and Sea Lion Reserve

12 Hours Round trip from J57P+7FQ Hard pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Walk along endless deserted beaches, huge rocks with passages in between, and high dunes with impressive views
02 Learn about the town's history and artisanal fishing traditions at Playa La Calavera
03 Visit the Cabo Polonio Lighthouse, declared a Historical Monument of Uruguay in 1976
04 See the sea lion area by the lighthouse and view the offshore reserve from above if the lighthouse is open

Cabo Polonio National Park is a vast area of great scenic beauty that preserves the typical character of the Uruguayan Atlantic coast and its original fishing villages. Located in the department of Rocha, 264 km from Montevideo, it is home to three offshore islands that shelter an important sea lion reserve. Its lighthouse has guided sailors along the eastern coast since 1881 and remains one of the area's defining landmarks.

If it is open, we will go up to the lighthouse to see the town from above, the islands, and the sea lion reserve on them.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 12 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Hard

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Languages English, Portuguese, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Explore Cabo Polonio's Beaches, Lighthouse and Fishing Village

Pick up at your hotel or the meeting point.
We will begin the day with a visit to Playa Sur, one of the best beaches in Uruguay. We will explore its sands and rocks, with small spots for bathing, diving, and more.
Then, we will continue to the cape and its rocks, walking around the entire rocky point and passing between the small houses and the pathways formed by the large stones.
We will walk along the lighthouse beach and the area where the sea lions are found. If it is open, we will go up to the lighthouse to see the town from above, the islands, and the sea lion reserve on them.
Visit Playa La Calavera, a beach next to the town where artisanal fishing is concentrated. We will walk through it and its surroundings while discussing its history.
The original town will be toured with its typical craft stalls, trails, and different sectors of the cape. If you wish, you can have lunch at one of the local restaurants or homemade food places.

Where this trip takes you

Cabo Polonio Lighthouse, Playa Sur beaches, Playa La Calavera, sea lion reserve

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from J57P+7FQ 1 city · 12 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Entry tickets to the National Park
Guiding services
Private transportation
Wi-Fi in and outside the vehicle, so you will always be connected

What's Not Included

Personal expenses
Souvenirs
Food, drinks, and snacks
Any other expenses. There will be many temptations along the way, and you will probably want to have lunch somewhere and buy souvenirs, clothes, or other items.

What to bring

USD 50 - the minimum amount each member of the tour should bring to buy a souvenir and have a meal during the day. It is better to bring that amount in Uruguayan pesos.

Know before you go

The vehicle used is a Mitsubishi Montero 4x4, licensed for 7 people including the driver, and it has safety features for الجميع.
The ideal number of adults in the group is 4 of medium build to travel in total comfort. It is also possible to include 2 children or teenagers if they are not large, as the third-row seat is smaller than the others.
It is recommended to have breakfast at the hotel as early as possible in order to hit the road early.
Entry is made in all-terrain vehicles, but only those authorised by the Ministry of the Environment and other competent bodies.
Both this place and the surrounding area are full of shipwrecks, which has earned it the label "hell for sailors".
Everything in Polonio is explored on foot, so you should be prepared to walk and discover different landscapes, such as endless deserted beaches, huge rocks with passages between them, and very high dunes with impressive views. This tour can be done during the day, but if you have time, it is best to spend a night there not only to enjoy the Cape's unique sky, but also to have more time to visit the "Devil's Trident," Cerro de la Buena Vista, and the dunes that reach up to 30 m high.
The place is completely different from any other point on the country's coast. There is no electric light, which gives it a particular touch and allows you to appreciate the night sky, and there is no running water. There are no streets; instead, irregular paths connect the small and rudimentary houses.

Logistics