Overview of Piriapolis

Piriapolis is a town and seaside resort of Maldonado (Uruguay), located 97 kilometers east from the capital, Montevideo. It has a fixed population of 7,579 inhabitants, although the floating population is much higher, especially between December and March. It was the first spa town of the republic. Receives many Argentine visitors and a growing number of Europeans, although domestic tourism is very important.

The city has its axis around the Rambla de los Argentinos, a coastal avenue that takes its name from the major customers of the founder of the city, Francisco Piria hotels. With an economy centered on tourism, the city has hotels and casinos, a very active nightlife in the summer months as well as public parks, religious centers, viewpoints, etc. Between 1998 and 2003, it could reach the port of Piriapolis by ferry from Buenos Aires.

The Chapel of San Antonio, at the top of the homonymous hill (one of many around the city by the Cerro del Toro), offers a panoramic view and can be reached by road or by air chair. For more intrepid travelers provides the ability to scale the third highest peak in the Republic, the Sugar Loaf, near the eponymous town, about 10 km outside the resort.

Near Piriapolis are rock formations over the sea, called Punta Cold, Punta Colorada and Punta Negra, which are excellent fishing all year. There are also white sand beaches as San Francisco and Playa Hermosa, which are at a very short distance from the spa center.

Where there was a road course auto racing were held in Punta Cold. Since 1994, the Grand Prix of Piriapolis runs on a street circuit racing on the promenade.

See more about the history of Piriapolis

See also information on Maldonado, Montevideo y Buenos Aires.