La Paloma

La Paloma is a city in the Atlantic Coast region of Uruguay.

Understand
At the center of La Paloma sits a lighthouse warning captains of sandbars and a rocky coast. Very similar geographically to the Outer Banks in North Carolina, La Paloma is a summer tourist retreat for Argentineans, Brazilians, Chileans, Europeans, Uruguayans themselves, and even a few brave Americans.

Get in
La Paloma is frequently served by many intercity buses from most main destinations of the southern half of Uruguay with the exception of Punta del Este. To get in from there, go via the Maldonado terminal or San Carlos.

Otherwise, getting in by car or thumb is straight forward.

Get around
The town is too small to have public transport. But walking is perfectly fine. You can also rent bicycles in the centre&mdash;ask your hostel. A bicycle can be of advantage if you head to Rocha Lagoon or to La Pedrera.

See
There are not many sights besides the beach and the big ugly skyscraper in the centre.

Do

 * Surf at La Aguada beach. There are several surf schools along the beach and promenade renting boards and giving lessons. 45 min lesson: U$700. Rental, 1 hr: U$250.
 * Rent a bicycle and ride to La Pedrera village or Rocha Lagoon. U$300-400 per 24 hr.
 * Sunbathe at Anaconda beach.
 * Watch the spectacular sunset.
 * Watch the spectacular sunset.

Eat
Fish

Drink
La Paloma has an active nightlife with bars and even a free club, famous with many international and South American tourists coming to Uruguay.

Go next
If La Paloma is still too busy for you, and you are looking for a more laid-back and sometimes hippie-loaded experience, look here:
 * La Pedrera – Laid-back beach experience
 * Barra de Valizas – Hippie-spirit with live music and nightmarket, and a better beach than Cabo Polonio
 * Aguas Dulces – Similar and close to but less busy and more expensive than Barra de Valizas
 * Punta del Diablo – Sleepy and inexpensive beach and surf experience