Uruguay - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 847

such as Segways and quad bikes, or renting cars or bikes.
Hostels generally provide the most backpacker-friendly
tours, but try A.G.T. ( T 42490570, W alvarogimenoturismo
.com) in the bus terminal, or DW Service (Artigas, at
Chiverta; T 42491749, W dwservice.com.uy) if you want
to go it alone. Nationwide tour operators covering PdE
are also worth checking out (see box, p.839).

HOTELS
Hotel rates (as well as everything else) are typically more
reasonable in Maldonado, 20min by bus from PdE (take
the #10 from C 20).
Esteño Sarandí 881, Maldonado T 42229828, E hotel
[e-mail]. An old-fashioned hotel with
modern touches like a/c and wi-fi. Ask for a room with
its own balcony ( same price). Price includes breakfast.
Doubles UR$2000 10

ACCOMMODATION
In the summer months (Dec-Feb) accommodation is
wildly overpriced (you may pay upwards of US$50 for a
dorm bed), yet this does not put people off; book at least
a month in advance. In winter you won't need to book and
prices will be affordable again, but most hostels close
down completely. Options listed here are open year-round
(except the campsite), but do check online if you're going
in summer. If you're stuck, try the tourist information
o ces, who can help with accommodation.

EATING
The peninsula is packed with expensive restaurants, and
even the best-value places are pricey, though there are
bargains if you look around. Restaurants usually go by
standard Uruguayan opening hours (see p.835) out of
season, but in summer you can eat until about 2am. For
very cheap fast food, head to Av Gorlero, where places are
open 24hr in high season. Cheap seafood is not available
in restaurants here, so try the stalls below the port for
the freshest hauls and cook at your hostel.
Asado y Milonga Joaquín Lenzina between Francia and
Artigas. The big wagon wheel outside characterizes this
rustic parrilla , popular with locals, which serves tasty
grilled meat and pastas at fair prices. Mains UR$250-400.
Bocado's C 24, at 25. One of PdE's only real budget
options, this takeaway place serves fantastic home-made
quiches, empanadas , pastas and sandwiches, as well as a
menú del día . Everything UR$100 or less.
Ì Calexico Paseo de la Cadena, at Dunkerque, just off
the third roundabout up Artigas from the bus terminal
T 42491190, W restocalexico.com. Inviting Mexican-
American restaurant adorned with pretty ceramics that does
some of the best food in the city at excellent prices (chicken
fajita UR$400). Book in high season. Daily noon-midnight;
low season Tues-Sat noon-3pm & 7pm-midnight.
Peca's Golero, at Las Focas. Better than its rivals across the
street, and slightly cheaper (ice cream: two flavours and
two toppings UR$70), Peca's also serves breakfasts and
has free wi-fi. Daily 9am-late.
Ì Pura Vida Ruta 10 Km160, behind the petrol station
in La Barra. Informal but elegant restaurant with a slow
food ethos and a huge range of interesting dishes,
including plenty for vegetarians. Well worth the trip to
La Barra (mains UR$200-400). Closed Tues.

CAMPING
San Rafael Aparicio Saravia (no number), 800m from
Parada 30 T 42486715, W campingsanrafael.com.uy.
Set in pleasant woods, this campsite has a minimart and
wi-fi, and lies just 1km from La Barra. Closed April-Oct.
It's 15 percent cheaper off season and t here are other
discounts for longer stay s. Camping /person UR$250 , self-
catering cabin (sleeps 4) UR$2000

HOSTELS
Several buses run every hour (and throughout the night
in high season) to La Barra and Manantiales (10min).
Dorm beds in Jan will cost upwards of UR$1000, but
quickly fall back to normal prices after that. Prices are
given for the cheapest dorm beds and doubles in Jan,
breakfast included.
Iguana de La Barra C 8, at Ruta 10, La Barra
T 42772947, W iguanadelabarra.com. The friendly
owners have made their home welcoming and relaxing,
with built-in beds instead of bunk s in priva te rooms,
and a fireplace downstairs. Dorms UR$1200 , en-suite
twins UR$3000
Tas d'Viaje C 26, at 27 T 42445734, W playa.tasdviaje
.com. A very nice addition to the hostel scene in PdE, which
can be grotty. This place feels like home and is probably the
best located of all l the hos tels, right in the centre of the
peninsula. Dorms UR$660
El Viajero Brava Beach Francia, at Charrua T 42480331,
W elviajerohostels.com. Part of the successful Uruguayan
chain, this house on the edge of the peninsula has a
large common room with a pool table and fireplace. In
high season a second hostel opens at Manantiales beach
(Ruta 10 Km164, just past La Barra), 11km away from PdE,
which, outside of Dec-Jan, ca n be aroun d half the cost.
Dorms UR$550 , en-suite twins UR$3000

DRINKING AND NIGHTLIFE
Punta is home to a wild nightlife scene; most bars serve
drinks from midday onwards, but the real parties only start
at around 2am and rarely end before sunrise. The top clubs
change every season, so do some research once you arrive.
Dolce Vita C11, at Rambla Artigas, underneath Boca Chica
restaurant W dolcevitapunta.com. This dark and sweaty
basement room hosts raucous club nights (entry UR$200),
mainly for a young crowd. Sat only, from midnight.