Ciudad de la Costa

Río de la Plata beaches (Solymar, Lagomar, El Pinar)

The succession of calm-water river beaches, the backbone of the city and its great summer draw.

The beaches are, without a doubt, the main attraction of Ciudad de la Costa. Along its coast on the Río de la Plata follow the beaches of the different resorts that make up the city: Solymar, Lagomar, El Pinar, Shangrilá and others, all connected by the coastal rambla. They are sandy beaches, with river waters —calmer, warmer and without the strong surf of the open ocean—, which makes them especially gentle for families with children and for those seeking a quiet swim. Each resort has its personality and its atmosphere. Solymar and Lagomar, closer to Montevideo, are among the busiest in summer; El Pinar, a bit further east, keeps a more serene and wooded air. In season, the beaches fill with Montevideans summering or spending the day, with umbrellas, mate, ball games and the typical life of the Río de la Plata coast. Outside summer, they stay quiet and are ideal for long walks. Unlike the great resorts of Maldonado or Rocha, these are not spectacular postcard beaches, but urban, family beaches, practical and close. Their greatest virtue is precisely that combination of coast, calm and proximity to the capital and the airport. Bear in mind that the water quality of the Río de la Plata can vary; in summer the days suitable for swimming are usually reported. How to get there: along the whole coastal rambla; accessed from the Avenida Giannattasio or the rambla itself, by car, suburban bus or bike. Best time: summer for swimming and atmosphere; the rest of the year for quiet walks. Tips: in summer check the day's water conditions; bring your mate and join the coastal ritual. For open-sea, postcard beaches, you have to continue toward Maldonado and Rocha.

ℹ️ Location: Along the coastal rambla of Ciudad de la Costa · Best time: Summer for swimming; year-round for walking · Admission: Free (public beaches) · Duration: Half a day or more

Coastal Rambla of Ciudad de la Costa

The coastal avenue that links the resorts facing the river, ideal for walking, cycling and watching the sunset.

The coastal Rambla is the axis that runs through the city from end to end facing the Río de la Plata, connecting the different resorts along the coast. It's the most enjoyed public space of Ciudad de la Costa: here people go out to walk, run, cycle, walk the dog, fish and, of course, drink mate watching the river, especially at sunset, when the sun sinks over the water and tints the sky with colors. Along the rambla alternate stretches of beach, dunes with pine woods, green spaces, beach bars and lookouts. Exploring it, on foot or by bike, is the best way to get to know the city and to understand its essence as a residential resort: a quiet life, facing the river and the outdoors. In summer the rambla comes alive with the movement of the season; the rest of the year it keeps a serene, local pace. The sunset over the Río de la Plata is one of the great gifts of the area: the open horizon of the river, with no shore visible on the other side, offers wide, luminous sunsets. It's a simple and free plan that sums up well the appeal of Ciudad de la Costa. How to get there: the rambla crosses the whole city; accessed from any resort, by car, bike, on foot or by bus. Best time: sunset, in any season; summer for the atmosphere. Tips: ideal for cycling (there are stretches with a bike path); bring a thermos and mate, and warm clothes if you go at sunset outside summer, because the river wind usually picks up.

ℹ️ Location: Runs along the whole coast of the city, from west to east · Best time: Sunset, in any season · Admission: Free (public space) · Duration: 1 to 2 hours

Resorts and local life (Solymar, Lagomar, Shangrilá, El Pinar)

Exploring the different wooded resorts that make up the city, each with its atmosphere and its corner.

One of the most authentic ways to get to know Ciudad de la Costa is simply to explore its resorts and soak up its local life. The city is, at its core, a succession of former resorts that grew and merged: Carrasco Este, Solymar, Lagomar, Shangrilá, El Pinar, Parque del Plata, Lomas de Solymar and others. Each keeps a certain identity, with its tree-lined streets of pines and eucalyptus —a legacy of the forested subdivisions of the mid-20th century—, its summer houses and permanent residences, its small shopping areas and its beach accesses. Shangrilá, for example, has an endearing and somewhat nostalgic air; Solymar and Lagomar concentrate more services and activity; El Pinar is among the greenest and quietest. Strolling its inner streets, moving a bit away from the rambla, lets you see what everyday life is like on this residential coast, among the greenery, the bicycles and the slow pace of the area. It's not about great attractions, but about absorbing the atmosphere: a coffee or an ice cream in a resort center, a walk under the pines, an unhurried afternoon at the beach. It's the kind of quiet experience that defines Ciudad de la Costa and sets it apart from more intense tourist destinations. How to get there: the resorts are spread along the Avenida Giannattasio and the rambla; the most practical is to get around by car or bike, though there are suburban buses. Best time: any moment; summer for full atmosphere. Tips: combining the tour of the resorts with the rambla and the beach makes a full and relaxed day; ask about the local beach bars and ice cream parlors.

ℹ️ Location: Along the Avenida Giannattasio and the coast · Best time: Year-round; summer for full atmosphere · Admission: Free (open tour) · Duration: Half a day

Costa Urbana Shopping and services

The area's reference shopping center, a meeting and service point for residents and visitors.

The Costa Urbana Shopping is the main shopping center of Ciudad de la Costa and a reference point for the everyday life of the area. Located on the Avenida Giannattasio, in the Solymar area, it brings together stores, a supermarket, a food court, cinemas and various services, which makes it a regular meeting place for both residents and vacationers. Beyond shopping, in a city as residential and spread-out as this, the shopping centers and service hubs play an important social role, especially on the sweltering hot days of summer or the cold and windy days of winter, when they become an air-conditioned refuge and a meeting point. For the traveler, it's a practical place to take care of shopping, grab a bite, go to the cinema or simply take a break. The area also has all the necessary services: supermarkets, banks and ATMs, pharmacies, gas stations and health centers, distributed above all along the Avenida Giannattasio, the great commercial artery that runs through the city parallel to the coast. How to get there: on the Avenida Giannattasio; by car, bus or taxi/app. Best time: any day; useful especially on days of extreme weather. Tips: it's a good reference point to orient yourself in the city and to take care of services if you're staying in the area or passing through on the way to the airport.

ℹ️ Location: Avenida Giannattasio, Solymar area · Best time: Any day of the year · Admission: Free (open access; you pay for what you consume) · Duration: 1 to 2 hours

Shore sport fishing and jetties

Shore fishing, one of the area's traditional activities, from beaches and improvised jetties.

Shore fishing is a deeply rooted activity among the residents of Ciudad de la Costa and a good way for the visitor to experience the local rhythm. Along the rambla and at various points of the coast gather amateur anglers seeking silverside, croaker and other Río de la Plata species, especially at sunset and in the cooler months of the year. You don't need much equipment or experience to join in: a simple rod and a bit of patience is enough. It's a quiet, social and free activity, which combines well with a walk along the rambla or with the sunset. Some stretches of the coast have small breakwaters or jetties that are classic fishing spots. How to get there: at various points of the rambla and the resort beaches; accessed on foot or by car. Best time: autumn and winter tend to be good fishing months; it's also practiced in summer at sunset. Tips: check the current fishing regulations (closed seasons and minimum sizes); basic equipment is available at fishing shops in the area.

ℹ️ Location: Rambla and beaches of the different resorts · Best time: Autumn and winter; also summer at sunset · Admission: Free (open activity; check fishing regulations) · Duration: 1 to 3 hours

Carrasco International Airport (lookout and arrival)

The modern air terminal, a stone's throw from the city, with its iconic architecture and its role as the gateway to the country.

Carrasco International Airport, inaugurated in its current version in 2009 with a design by Rafael Viñoly's studio, is practically at the western edge of Ciudad de la Costa and is, for many travelers, the first image of Uruguay. Its modern architecture, of curved lines and ample spaces of natural light, earned it international recognition and is worth observing even if you're not flying, whether passing by or from one of its accesses. Beyond its airport function, the surroundings of the airport and its closeness to the resorts make this area a key reference point for organizing the trip's logistics: car rental, first purchases, currency exchange and an immediate connection with Ciudad de la Costa and Montevideo. For those with a long layover or arriving in the early morning, staying in the area and using the airport as a departure point toward the beach is a practical and increasingly chosen option. How to get there: on the Ruta Interbalnearia, at the western edge of the area (car, taxi, bus). Best time: year-round. Tips: if you have a long layover, it's a good chance to get to know the nearby beaches before continuing; the airport has exchange, car rental and dining services.

ℹ️ Location: Western edge of Ciudad de la Costa, on the Ruta Interbalnearia · Best time: Year-round · Admission: Free (public access to the terminal) · Duration: Variable