For an authentic off-the-grid beach experience, nothing beats Cabo Polonio. Hard to access (you’ll need a 4WD vehicle or can choose to take a seven-kilometer walk through the sand dunes), in an area with no electricity and just little shacks dotting the sand dunes, Cabo Polonio is the ultimate Uruguayan beach destination.

A few posadas (inns) and simple shack restaurants will provide cozy basics, where you can dine by candlelight and fall asleep with the sound of the waves as the background.

For entertainment, you can jump into the water for a swim or visit the nearby colony of sea lions. Or just lie down under the sun for blissful peace. The best attraction here, however, might be the mobile sand dunes – blown away by the strong coastal winds, the dunes are always changing.