Houses in La Paloma
La Paloma sits on Cabo Santa María, on the coast of Rocha, and is one of the liveliest year-round towns along that stretch of shoreline. It has a port, a lighthouse you can climb, and a string of beaches that are very different from one another, from calm bays to open beaches with waves for surfing.
Getting there
From Montevideo, take Ruta 9 to the city of Rocha and from there Ruta 15 to La Paloma. It's about 240 km in total and about 28 km from the city of Rocha (approximate distances; it's best to confirm them before you leave). Ruta 10 connects it with nearby beach towns such as La Pedrera.
There are long-distance buses from the Terminal Tres Cruces in Montevideo. Schedules and frequencies change depending on the season, so it's best to check with the bus companies before traveling.
Beaches
The shape of the cape means the beaches face different directions, so you can choose based on the wind and the kind of water you're looking for:
- La Balconada: one of the best known, with plenty of sand.
- Bahía Grande and Los Botes: calmer waters, easy to enjoy with kids.
- La Aguada, Solari and Anaconda: more open and with bigger waves, popular with surfers.
La Paloma has a well-established surf culture and is one of the go-to spots for the sport on the Uruguayan coast.
Things to do
- Climb the Faro del Cabo Santa María, built in the 19th century, which offers a sweeping view of the cape and the coast. It's a good idea to check visiting hours.
- Explore the port area and the waterfront promenade along the cape.
- Visit the Laguna de Rocha, a protected area west of the town, known for its birdlife and small-scale fishing.
- Surf or take lessons at the beaches with waves.
- In winter and spring, watch southern right whales from shore, as they tend to come close during those months.
- Stroll through Parque Andresito, a wooded area within the town.
Food and drink
Thanks to the nearby port and the Laguna de Rocha, the local specialty is fresh fish and seafood. The lagoon's small-scale fishing is known for its shrimp and for species such as croaker and flounder, depending on the season.
Since the town has a year-round population, there are places to eat outside the summer too, though fewer of them.
Best time to go
Summer, from December to March, is the high season, with January being the busiest month. That's when the most services are open and the beaches are liveliest.
Outside the season, the town is much quieter. Between winter and spring is southern right whale watching season on the coast of Rocha, and fall usually brings mild days and nearly empty beaches.