Playa Sur is more than one of Cabo Polonio’s two beaches: a path from there leads to the lighthouse, another walk follows the sea to the southwest, and the route continues to Playa de La Calavera. These destinations have different highlights—views, coastline or another beach. The rocky headland and the national park’s flora and fauna add to the picture. This makes it possible to explore Cabo Polonio through specific features of the area rather than a single description of its beaches.
Two beaches on the rocky headland
Playa de La Calavera is to the north; Playa Sur is on the opposite side of the large rocky headland. The Cabo Polonio Lighthouse stands on this headland. Its location makes the coastline easy to distinguish: there are two named beaches on different sides of the terrain. The path from Playa Sur to Playa de La Calavera adds a specific walking destination to this sense of place.
Lighthouse with views and history
The Cabo Polonio Lighthouse was declared a historic monument of Uruguay in 1976. From there, you can look out over the small settlement, the Torre Islands, the sea lion reserve, the dunes and the extensive stretch of beach surrounding Cabo Polonio. The view brings together the settlement, islands, reserve and coast in a single panorama. Historical significance and scenery meet in the same place: visitors who want to combine culture and landscape during their stay will find both here in a tangible form.
Walks from Playa Sur
The routes from Playa Sur vary in destination and direction. You can walk to the Cabo Polonio Lighthouse; from there, you can look out over the large sea lion reserve, the Atlantic Ocean, the “Isla de Torres” archipelago and the small settlement. Another option is to walk along the sea to the southwest, towards Oceanía del Polonio. The path to Playa de La Calavera leads to a second beach. These routes offer different options: a viewpoint, a coastal walk and another beach destination.
Wildlife and plant life in the national park
Several species identified as priorities by SNAP live in Cabo Polonio National Park, including sapito de Darwin, rana de cuatro ojos, tortuga de canaleta and the plant banana do mato. The area is also home to migratory species of regional and global importance, such as terns, the southern right whale and the green sea turtle. The information highlights different aspects: the first species are important within the protected area, while the migratory species are notable for their movements. For travelers interested in nature, this offers another perspective alongside the beaches and views.
Playa Sur as a passenger transfer point
Playa Sur also plays a role in getting there: the 4x4 vehicles that transport passengers to Cabo Polonio National Park enter and leave via Playa Sur. The beach is therefore both a coastal landmark and the entry and exit point for this passenger transfer. As transport arrangements may change, it is advisable to check the current transfer procedure before your trip.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: La Pedrera, Punta Del Diablo, La Esmeralda, Rocha, Aguas Dulces, Castillos, Chuy, La Coronilla
For the main travel overview: Rocha.
