La Paloma

Cabo Santa María Lighthouse

The emblematic lighthouse of La Paloma, one of the oldest on the coast, with a view of the ocean from its balcony.

The Cabo Santa María Lighthouse is the absolute symbol of La Paloma and one of the most beloved historic lighthouses in Uruguay, with more than 150 years of history. It rises on Cabo Santa María, the coastal feature around which the resort grew, and was built in the 19th century to guide ships along an Atlantic coast known for its shipwrecks. Its white, robust silhouette is the classic postcard of La Paloma. The lighthouse can be visited and climbed via its spiral staircase of 143 steps to the upper balcony, one of the resort's unmissable experiences, since from the top you get a 360-degree panorama over the ocean, the beaches, the port and the city. It's also a privileged point to watch the sunset or take in the immensity of the Atlantic. Children under 8 are not allowed and the maximum stay on the balcony is about 20 minutes. It still serves its function as a navigation aid. How to get there: it's in the heart of the cape, a few minutes on foot or by car from the center of La Paloma. Best time: clear days for better visibility; the sunset is especially beautiful. Tips: bring cash for admission (it's usually charged in cash only) and light warm clothes because it's usually windy up there; confirm hours when you visit, as they may vary by season and weather.

ℹ️ Distance: Cabo Santa María, minutes from the center of La Paloma (on foot or by car) · Best time: Clear days; the sunset is unmissable · Admission: UYU 35 per person (payment in cash only, in pesos). Reference hours: Thursday to Sunday, approx. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2 p.m.-5 p.m. (subject to weather and sunset); off-season it usually opens only on weekends. Source: Turismo Rocha (official), verified July 2026. Check when you visit · Duration: 30 to 45 minutes

The beaches of La Paloma (Bahía Chica, Bahía Grande, La Aguada, Los Botes)

A variety of beaches within a few kilometers, from calm and family-friendly to open and with waves.

The great appeal of La Paloma is the enormous variety of beaches it offers within a few kilometers, one next to the other, each with its own character. For families and children, the more protected, calm-water ones are ideal: Bahía Chica and Bahía Grande, near the port, are calm and sheltered, perfect for swimming quietly. Los Botes Beach and Solari are also serene options, very popular with families. For those seeking waves and open sea, La Aguada and Anaconda are the ocean beaches par excellence, with good surf and a wilder landscape. La Aguada, above all, is a classic among surfers and those who enjoy the strong sea. This combination of calm and rough beaches in the same resort is precisely what makes La Paloma such a complete destination: there's sand and sea for every taste and every age. How to get there: all the beaches are a few minutes from each other, within La Paloma (on foot, by bike or by car). Best time: summer for swimming; spring and autumn for walks and calm. Tips: choose the beach according to what you're looking for (calm or with waves), respect the flags and the lifeguards' advice in season, and don't miss a sunset by the sea.

ℹ️ Distance: All within La Paloma, minutes from each other (on foot, by bike or car) · Best time: Summer for swimming; year-round for walking · Admission: Free (public beaches) · Duration: Half a day or more per beach

Port of La Paloma

The resort's fishing and sport port, with the movement of boats, fresh fish and sunsets.

The Port of La Paloma is one of the hearts of the resort and gives it that port identity that sets it apart from other beach destinations. It's a fishing and sport port where you can see the movement of the boats, the arrival of the fresh fish and the activity of the local fishermen. Strolling the port, watching the vessels come and go and breathing the sea air is a simple and very authentic plan. From the port comes much of the fish and seafood that is later served in the restaurants of La Paloma, so it's also the origin of the rich seafood cuisine of the area. It's also a good point to arrange fishing trips or, in some seasons, outings to watch marine wildlife. The surroundings of the port and the cape offer, once again, beautiful ocean views. How to get there: it's beside the cape and the central beaches, minutes from the center. Best time: the morning, when there's more fishing activity, or the sunset for the light. Tips: ask at the port about fishing trips or boat outings (depending on the season and weather) and make the most of it to eat very fresh fish nearby.

ℹ️ Distance: Beside the cape and the central beaches of La Paloma · Best time: Morning (fishing activity) or sunset · Admission: Free (open stroll); fishing/boat outings from US$ 30-60 per person approx. (depending on the operator, verified July 2026) · Duration: 1 to 2 hours

Laguna de Rocha (getaway)

A protected area of lagoons, dunes and birds a few kilometers away, a paradise for wildlife watching.

A few kilometers from La Paloma extends Laguna de Rocha, one of the great natural jewels of the coast and a protected area integrated into Uruguay's National System of Protected Areas. It's a brackish coastal lagoon, separated from the ocean by a sandbar that sometimes opens and sometimes closes, in a landscape of dunes, woodland and wetlands of enormous ecological richness. The lagoon is famous for its birdlife: it's a refuge for black-necked swans, flamingos, storks, gulls and dozens of species of waterbirds and migratory birds, which makes it a paradise for birdwatching and nature photography. There are also artisanal fishermen who keep alive a centuries-old tradition. Walking its shores, in silence, is an experience of pure nature. How to get there: by car from La Paloma on the road, or on nature excursions; it pays to go with a guide or prior information because it's a protected area with specific access points. Best time: year-round for the birds (the species vary by season); the morning and sunset light are the best. Tips: bring binoculars, repellent, water and suitable footwear; respect the protected area's guidelines and don't disturb the wildlife.

ℹ️ Distance: A few kilometers from La Paloma, by car (protected area) · Best time: Year-round for birds; morning and sunset for the light · Admission: Free (access to the protected area); guided birdwatching excursions US$ 25-45 per person approx. (depending on the operator, verified July 2026) · Duration: Half a day

Excursion to Cabo Polonio (sea lion colony)

The famous village without grid electricity, reached by 4x4 truck across the dunes, with its sea lion colony.

One of the most popular excursions from La Paloma is the visit to Cabo Polonio, the legendary resort without streets or grid electricity, famous for its lighthouse and for the colony of sea lions and southern fur seals that gathers on the rocks of the point, one of the largest in South America. Access to the village is exclusively by specially prepared 4x4 trucks that cross about 20 minutes of dunes from the access terminal on Route 10. From La Paloma you can get there on your own by car to the truck terminal (about 60 km) and take the truck there, or arrange an organized full-day excursion that usually combines Cabo Polonio with a stop in La Pedrera. The village itself, with its fishermen's shacks, its lighthouse and its bohemian, luxury-free atmosphere, is one of the most singular experiences on the Uruguayan coast. It's an excursion that takes up much of the day, between the transfer, the stroll through the village, the beach and the sea lion colony, and the return. It pays to bring water, sunscreen and comfortable shoes for walking on the sand. How to get there: in your own car to the truck terminal on Route 10 (about 60 km from La Paloma) and from there by 4x4 truck, or on an organized excursion with transfer included from La Paloma or La Pedrera. Best time: year-round; summer for the atmosphere, autumn-winter to better see the sea lion colony. Tips: book the round-trip truck, bring cash, and plan the full day for the excursion.

ℹ️ Distance: About 60 km from La Paloma to the truck terminal (Route 10) · Best time: Year-round; autumn-winter for better sea lion watching · Admission: 4x4 truck round trip UYU 470 per person (free up to 5 years; surfboard +UYU 100). Paid in cash, debit or transfer at the Puerta del Polonio terminal (Route 10 km 264.5). Source: Turismo Rocha / 4x4 operators, verified July 2026. Organized full-day excursion US$ 90-180 per person depending on the starting point · Duration: Full day (including transfers)

La Pedrera (getaway)

The neighboring bohemian resort, on a bluff, with its main street, its beaches and its young atmosphere.

A few kilometers north of La Paloma is La Pedrera, one of the most characterful resorts on the whole Rocha coast and a must-do getaway. La Pedrera sits on a bluff that drops to the sea, which gives it spectacular ocean views and a profile different from that of the flat resorts. Its main street, with shops, restaurants and bars, holds the life of the town. It has a bohemian, young and artistic atmosphere, especially lively in season, but keeps a seaside-town charm. Its beaches are beautiful: the Playa del Desplayado and the Playa de la Calavera (to the north, more rugged) are among the best known. It's a place to walk, enjoy the bluff, eat well and experience the relaxed atmosphere of the Rocha coast. How to get there: by car or local bus from La Paloma (they are very close, about 15 km). Best time: summer for the atmosphere; spring and autumn for the calm and the walks along the bluff. Tips: it combines perfectly with La Paloma on the same trip; many choose to stay in one and visit the other. (La Pedrera has its own guide with more detail).

ℹ️ Distance: About 15 km north of La Paloma (car or local bus) · Best time: Summer for the atmosphere; year-round for the bluff · Admission: Free (resort and public beaches) · Duration: Half a day to a day