Punta del Este, a few hours from Montevideo in southern Uruguay, has been called the Saint Tropez and the Hamptons of South America, a playground for the privileged/famous/beautiful to party and schmooze for a few months out of the year. Beginning in Uruguay's summer months (North America's winter months), the sleepy seaside fishing town and surrounding areas are transformed into upscale, party-all-night, see and be seen resorts, due to an influx of wealthy Europeans, Argentines, and Brazilians (among others) who spend a week or two or three around Christmas time in Punta del Este. The season is brief, but in these few months, with its gorgeous beaches and intriguing natural landscape, Punta del Este has an atmosphere and party scene to rival any worldwide hotspot.
