Hike or ride across the dunes in Cabo Polonio

Explore the magnificent dunes and glistening beaches of Cabo Polonio.

The province of Rocha in Eastern Uruguay is so inviting it’s a miracle it’s still so unspoilt. Among the many attractions of this corner of Uruguay is its virgin coastline. In a country lined with beaches, this is where they are at their most wild. Inland, verdant grasslands are dotted with palms and clusters of ombu trees and the landscape brims with birdlife. Quiet country roads lead off to estancias where gauchos tend their herds and families have lived for generations. From one of these estancias you can explore Cabo Polonio. There’s a real end-of-the-earth feel to this windswept peninsula, with magnificent dunes and glistening beaches on either side of its lonely village and lighthouse. There are more sea lions than people living here, and you can only arrive by national park vehicle, on foot or on horseback.

Activity Rating: easy