Uruguay

La Barra

La Bourgogne Punta del Este

Treat the family to a proper lunch at this French-Uruguayan institution on the Rambla, which has a children's menu alongside its more elevated offerings and a lovely terrace overlooking the water. It is a step up in formality but the staff are warm and accommodating with families.

La Barra

Lo de Tere Manantiales

Stop for lunch at this beloved local spot in nearby Manantiales known for its enormous portions of traditional Uruguayan food including chivito sandwiches and milanesas. The casual, family-run atmosphere makes it a great place to introduce kids to the local food culture.

La Barra

La Susana Beach Club Restaurant

For a relaxed first evening, head to La Susana for dinner on the beach with your feet practically in the sand and a menu of grilled fish, pasta, and wood-fired pizza that works well for families. Arrive around sunset and grab a table on the terrace for the best views.

La Barra

El Chiringo La Barra

Grab a final leisurely lunch at this beach bar and grill right on Playa La Barra, known for its grilled calamari, fresh ceviche, and cold Pilsen beer for the adults. The kids can go back and forth between the table and the water, which is exactly how the last lunch of a beach trip should work.

La Barra

Croque Madame La Barra

Settle into this bright, relaxed cafe right near the bridge for lunch, where the menu covers everything from sandwiches and salads to fresh-squeezed juices. It's a reliable first stop that pleases both adults and picky eaters.

La Barra

Candy Bar La Barra

Stop into this beloved little shop near the bridge on your way out for dulce de leche cookies, alfajores, and locally made chocolate to bring home as edible souvenirs. Everything is packaged beautifully and most items survive the trip home without incident.

La Barra

Parador La Huella

Have lunch at this world-famous beach restaurant set directly on the sand at José Ignacio, where the wood-fired seafood and whole fish are exceptional and the setting is hard to beat anywhere in South America. Reserve in advance, arrive on the early side, and order the prawns.

La Barra

Heladeria Arentsen Punta del Este

Stop at this local institution on your way back for some of the best homemade ice cream in the region, with flavors ranging from classic dulce de leche to fresh fruit sorbets. It's the kind of place that becomes a daily habit by the end of a Uruguay trip.

La Barra

Museo Ralli Punta del Este

Drive twenty minutes into Punta del Este to visit this free private museum displaying an impressive collection of Latin American surrealist art in a beautiful building set in gardens. Kids respond well to the vivid, imaginative works and the scavenger hunt you can invent by asking them to find the strangest painting in each room.

La Barra

Manantiales Village Shops

Walk the main strip of Manantiales in the afternoon, which is lined with small boutiques selling handmade leather goods, ceramics, and locally designed clothing. It's a good chance to pick up souvenirs that are actually made in Uruguay rather than mass-produced trinkets.

La Barra

Cabalgatas Don Julián

This local operator runs one-hour guided horseback rides through the countryside near La Barra that are well-suited to children and first-time riders. The guides are patient, the horses are calm, and the route passes through low dunes and coastal scrub that feels genuinely wild.

La Barra

Faro de José Ignacio

Climb the José Ignacio lighthouse in the late afternoon for panoramic views over the peninsula, the lagoon, and the ocean stretching in every direction. The lighthouse keeper usually lets families climb to the top and it is one of those experiences kids talk about for years.

La Barra

Feria Artesanal de La Barra

Spend your final morning browsing La Barra's artisan market, which runs in season near the village center and is filled with local jewelry makers, textile artists, and food vendors selling regional cheeses and jams. It's a relaxed way to spend a last morning and pick up gifts that were actually made by someone local.

La Barra

Puente Ondulante de La Barra

Start your trip with a walk across La Barra's iconic undulating bridge over the Arroyo Maldonado, which gently rises and falls as cars pass over it. Kids find the wobbly sensation hilarious and it makes for a great first photo of the trip.

La Barra

Playa La Barra Final Swim

Give the kids one last proper session in the Atlantic waves before packing up, and let them pick the activity whether that is bodyboarding, building a final sandcastle, or just running into the water as many times as possible. There is no agenda for this one, just time.

La Barra

Playa Mansa José Ignacio

After the estancia, head to the calm-water beach on the lagoon side of José Ignacio for a completely different beach experience from the Atlantic side. The protected water is warm and shallow, making it ideal for younger kids who want to wade and swim without dealing with big waves.