La Barra

This beach town between José Ignacio and Punta del Este boasts some simple restaurants and casual boutiques, and is the ideal excursion for an afternoon away from José Ignacio. The most popular places to eat are Le Club (www.leclubposada.com/index.html), which is down on the beach front; the family-friendly Rex, a diner-like spot that serves the best chivitos (steak sandwich) in the area; and further out of town Parador Mantra, a more lounge-like place on the beach and Cactus Y Pescado in Manantiales