Cabo Polonio: Beaches, Dunes and Lighthouse

Cabo Polonio is defined by two beaches, a rocky headland and the lighthouse on it. Playa de La Calavera lies to the north; Playa Sur is on the opposite side of the headland. The coastline is therefore divided into two named beach areas and the distinctive rocky outcrop. This layout is helpful for getting your bearings: excursions can be sorted by Playa Sur, the northern Playa de La Calavera or the headland with its lighthouse. This makes it clear during the planning stage which sections of coastline and destinations may shape your stay.

Beaches and trails around Playa Sur

Playa Sur is an important point of reference for arrivals and getting around. The 4x4 vehicles that take passengers to Cabo Polonio National Park drive in and out via this beach. You can walk from Playa Sur to the lighthouse, and the trail from here continues to Playa de La Calavera. This puts a destination on the rocky headland and another beach to the north side by side as different excursion options. When choosing a route, you can consider whether the lighthouse or Playa de La Calavera is your preferred destination.

A walk by the sea offers a different focus: from Playa Sur, you can walk southwest toward Oceanía del Polonio. The three options differ in their direction and destination: the route to the lighthouse leads to a viewpoint, the route to Playa de La Calavera leads to a second beach, and the coastal route runs southwest toward Oceanía del Polonio. This gives you concrete points of reference for planning your day without combining the different trails into a single route.

Nature in the national park

Several species that are a priority for SNAP live in Cabo Polonio National Park: sapito de Darwin, rana de cuatro ojos, tortuga de canaleta and the banana do mato plant. There are also migratory species of regional and global significance, including terns, the southern right whale and the green sea turtle. The species mentioned range from amphibians and a plant to birds, marine mammals and sea turtles. Nature is thus an integral part of the area, alongside its beaches and coastal excursions.

Lighthouse, history and views

The Cabo Polonio lighthouse was declared a Historic Monument of Uruguay in 1976. It is also a landmark in the landscape: from there, you can take in views of the small town, the sea lion reserve, the Atlantic Ocean, the dunes and the extensive stretch of beach surrounding Cabo Polonio. The Torre Islands, the “Isla de Torres” archipelago, are also among the notable sights. Its combination of historic significance and sweeping views makes the lighthouse an ideal destination for anyone looking to experience history and scenery together.

If you are looking for a vacation rental in Cabo Polonio, you can use your planned excursions to guide your choice of where to stay: are you mainly interested in the lighthouse and its views, another beach or a coastal walk southwest? These different priorities make planning more specific and help you decide on the mix of coastline, nature and history you want from your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Castillos, Aguas Dulces, Chuy, La Coronilla, Barra De Valizas, Rocha, La Esmeralda, La Pedrera.

Back to the main travel guide: Rocha.