Costa de Oro Beaches

Costa de Oro

A string of tranquil, pine-shaded beach villages stretching east along the coast, including Las Toscas, Parque del Plata and La Floresta. It offers quieter, family-friendly sands and a laid-back alternative to the busier eastern resorts.

Things to do

• Relax on La Floresta beach — This calm, pine-backed beach is the historic heart of the Costa de Oro, ideal for families and gentle swimming.
• Stroll Parque del Plata's pine woods — Wander the shaded residential streets and riverside where the Solís Chico stream meets the sea.
• Explore Las Toscas beach — A quiet, laid-back stretch of sand popular with local summer residents and less crowded than Atlántida.
• Visit nearby Atlántida and El Águila — Just west, see the iconic eagle-shaped stone folly perched above the sea, a whimsical local landmark.
• Fish along the Solís Chico River mouth — Cast a line where the river meets the Río de la Plata, a favorite spot for local anglers.
• Cycle the coastal road between villages — Ride the flat Rambla connecting the string of quiet beach towns under shady pines.
• Sunset watching over the Río de la Plata — Catch broad, calm sunsets over the silty estuary from any west-facing beach point.

Food to try

• Chivito — Uruguay's beloved steak sandwich piled with ham, cheese, egg and salad, found at nearly every beach-town cantina.
• Asado — Wood-fired grilled meats are the summer ritual, often enjoyed at family parrilladas along the coast.
• Fresh fish and seafood — Local kiosks and parrillas serve grilled brótola, corvina and other estuary catches in season.
• Milanesa — Breaded and fried veal or chicken cutlet, a simple staple served with fries in casual eateries.
• Dulce de leche desserts — Try alfajores and chajá cake sweetened with Uruguay's ubiquitous caramel spread.

Local customs & good to know

• Bring your own mate — Uruguayans carry a thermos and gourd everywhere; sharing mate on the beach is a daily social ritual.
• Seasonal rhythm — These villages come alive January and February, but many businesses close or slow drastically in the off-season.
• Cash and small shops — Carry pesos as small kiosks and beach vendors may not accept cards, especially outside peak summer.
• Quiet, family pace — Costa de Oro is deliberately mellow, so expect early nights and a slower vibe than Punta del Este.

Nearby

• Piriápolis — 30 km
• Cerro Pan de Azúcar — 33 km
• Canelones Wine Country — 51 km
• Pocitos (Montevideo) — 52 km