Punta del Este (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈpunta ðel ˈeste]) is a seaside city and peninsula on the Atlantic Coast in the Maldonado Department of southeastern Uruguay. Starting as a small town, Punta del Este grew to become a resort for the Latin and North American jet set and tourists. The city has been called "The Hamptons of South America", as well as "The Monaco of the South", "The Miami Beach of South America", "The Pearl of the Atlantic", and "The St. Tropez of South America". Many famous people have visited, resided, or acquired vacation properties in Punta del Este and its surroundings.

Punta del Este hosted the Whitbread Around the World yacht races from 1985 to 1994 and participated with its own yacht 'Uruguay Natural'. Punta del Este also hosted the 1967 American Summit attended by U.S. President Lyndon Johnson, and the beginning of the Uruguay Round of international trade negotiations in 1986 that led to the creation of the World Trade Organization in 1994. The city hosted the 2014 Formula E Championship and the Gran Premio de Punta del Este receiving national, South American and international competitions.

In addition to international film festivals, gastronomy, and first-class hotels, the region has protected natural reserves such as Isla de Lobos, Gorriti Island, La Barra, or the Arboretum Lussich. Popular landmarks in the area include the La Mano giant sculpture, the Santorini-styled complex Casapueblo, the Rafael Viñoly designed Puente Garzón bridge, and the Museum of the Sea. Although the city has a year-round population of about 18,200 in winter, the number greatly expands during the summer season.

The city is located on the intersection of Route 10 with Route 39, southeast of the department capital Maldonado and about 140 kilometres (87 mi) east of Montevideo.

Punta del Este has an oceanic climate (Cfb, according to the Köppen climate classification), with pleasant summers and cool winters. Because of the average temperature of the hottest month near 22 °C (71.6 °F), the climate is close to a humid subtropical climate (Cfa). It is similar to southeastern Australia. The precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year, with an average of 1,010 mm (40 in). The hottest month, February, has an average temperature of 21.7 °C (71.1 °F), and the coldest month, July, has an average of 11.5 °C (52.7 °F). The average yearly temperature is 16.4 °C (61.5 °F).

Spaniards were the first Europeans to set foot in the area of Punta del Este at the beginning of the 16th century. Colonization began around Maldonado at the end of the 18th century through Portuguese expansionism. ^{[citation needed]}

In August 1827, during the Cisplatine War, a three-day military operation led by Brigadier General Juan Antonio Lavalleja under the banner of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata aimed to expel a small brazilian garrison strategically located on the peninsula.

Punta del Este and its surroundings (Maldonado and Punta Ballena) at the end of the 19th century were kilometers of sand and dunes, but in 1896 Antonio Lussich bought 4,447 acres (1,800 ha) of uninhabited land and started the botanical garden Arboretum Lussich, planting trees and plants from all over the world. The trees propagated on their own, with Pines, Eucalyptus, Acacias and various species of bushes flourishing.