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South America's Hot Spot

Why the beach resort of Punta del Este draws a stylish international crowd to the coast of Uruguay every year.

By Suzy Buckley
Punta del Este has been called the St.-Tropez of South America. Here a surfer heads to Bikini Beach, near the town of La Barra.Poetry is painted on the walls of Los Negros restaurant, which celebrated chef Francis Mallmann owns.At a surfing school in La Barra.No Se, an antiques boutique.A citrus dessert at La Bourgogne restaurant.The Cielo Suite at the Hotel-Art Las Cumbres.On a beach in La Barra.Sitting on a cliff in Punta Ballena, Casapueblo offers magnificent views of the Rio de la Plata. A museum and hotel, it was created by Uruguayan artist Carlos Paez Vilaro.The view from Le Club hotel, in La Barra.Relaxing at Le Club.A pitcher of <i>clerico</i> with fresh fruit, a local specialty.La Barra's bridge across the Maldonado river.The Marismo restaurant's supremely romantic setting.A gaucho on the farm of La Bourgogne chef Jean-Paul Bondoux.A family strolls along the boardwalk near the lighthouse (<i>faro</i>) at Jose Ignacio.
Punta del Este has been called the St.-Tropez of South America. Here a surfer heads to Bikini Beach, near the town of La Barra.
PHOTO: Maura McEvoy
Poetry is painted on the walls of Los Negros restaurant, which celebrated chef Francis Mallmann owns.
PHOTO: Maura McEvoy
At a surfing school in La Barra.
PHOTO: Maura McEvoy
No Se, an antiques boutique.
PHOTO: Maura McEvoy
A citrus dessert at La Bourgogne restaurant.
PHOTO: Maura McEvoy
The Cielo Suite at the Hotel-Art Las Cumbres.
PHOTO: Maura McEvoy
On a beach in La Barra.
PHOTO: Maura McEvoy
Sitting on a cliff in Punta Ballena, Casapueblo offers magnificent views of the Rio de la Plata. A museum and hotel, it was created by Uruguayan artist Carlos Paez Vilaro.
PHOTO: Maura McEvoy
The view from Le Club hotel, in La Barra.
PHOTO: Maura McEvoy
Relaxing at Le Club.
PHOTO: Maura McEvoy
A pitcher of clerico with fresh fruit, a local specialty.
PHOTO: Maura McEvoy
La Barra's bridge across the Maldonado river.
PHOTO: Maura McEvoy
The Marismo restaurant's supremely romantic setting.
PHOTO: Maura McEvoy
A gaucho on the farm of La Bourgogne chef Jean-Paul Bondoux.
PHOTO: Maura McEvoy
A family strolls along the boardwalk near the lighthouse (faro) at Jose Ignacio.
PHOTO: Maura McEvoy
  
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