Punta Colorada
Encyclopedia
Punta Colorada is a small peninsula (punta) and a resort (balneario) in the Maldonado Department
of Uruguay
. The resort is located on the peninsula, 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) to the east of Piriápolis
, 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) west of the resort Punta Negra
and about 24 kilometres (14.9 mi) to the west of Punta del Este
.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay
.
The "Brava" beach is usually preferred in the morning and at noon in the summer, while in the afternoon the wind usually blows east and swimmers move to the "Mansa" beach and to the rocks around the west side of Punta Colorada, where there are natural sandy pools sheltered from the wind. Brava beach is good for fishing large croaker (February–March), brótolas (August to December), southern kingfish (all year), and mackerel (in winter). Unlike the Playa Brava of Punta del Este, which has dangerous currents, this beach is much safer, although there are days with very big waves that can be dangerous. During the summer high season, there is a lifeguard service and public restrooms. Sand sports (football, volleyball, etc.) are better suited for the "Mansa" beach.
The salinity of the sea varies depending on the predominance of the winds (east and north wings bring saltier water, while west winds bring sweet water) and the volume of rainfall. The warmest waters correspond to the period February to April, while the coldest from June to December. During January comes the warm current from Brazil and pushes away the cold Malvinas current, so it is a transition month. Usually starting in July, but mostly between August and October, there can be seen whales very close to the southern coast.
Maldonado Department
The Maldonado Department , with an area of and 140,192 inhabitants, is located to the southeast of Uruguay. Its capital is Maldonado.-Geography and climate:...
of Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
. The resort is located on the peninsula, 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) to the east of Piriápolis
Piriápolis
Piriápolis is a city in the Maldonado Department of Uruguay. It is located on the coast of Río de la Plata, on Route 10 and its intersection with Route 37. It is about east of the national capital, Montevideo . Piriápolis is an important summer resort in the country, predating the larger and more...
, 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) west of the resort Punta Negra
Punta Negra
The Peruvian district of Punta Negra is one of the 43 districts of the Province of Lima. It borders the district of Punta Hermosa to the north, the Province of Huarochirí to the east, the district of San Bartolo to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west....
and about 24 kilometres (14.9 mi) to the west of Punta del Este
Punta del Este
Punta del Este is a resort town on the Atlantic Coast in the Maldonado Department of southeastern Uruguay. It is located on the intersection of Route 10 with Route 39, directly southeast of the department capital Maldonado and about east of Montevideo...
.
Population
In 2004, Punta Colorada had a population of 62 permanent inhabitants and 325 dwellings.| Year | Population | Dwellings |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | 56 | 140 |
| 1975 | 75 | 191 |
| 1985 | 38 | 211 |
| 1996 | 63 | 264 |
| 2004 | 62 | 325 |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay
Beaches of the resort
To the west of Punta Colorada is the 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) long beach of Playa San Francisco and to its east the beach Playa Punta Colorada, also known as the west beach of Punta Negra. The local people refer to these beaches as "La Mansa" (which means mild, gentle) and "La Brava" (which for maritime context indicates a very rough sea) respectively, because of the similarities of conditions with Playa Mansa and Playa Brava on either side of Punta del EstePunta del Este
Punta del Este is a resort town on the Atlantic Coast in the Maldonado Department of southeastern Uruguay. It is located on the intersection of Route 10 with Route 39, directly southeast of the department capital Maldonado and about east of Montevideo...
.
The "Brava" beach is usually preferred in the morning and at noon in the summer, while in the afternoon the wind usually blows east and swimmers move to the "Mansa" beach and to the rocks around the west side of Punta Colorada, where there are natural sandy pools sheltered from the wind. Brava beach is good for fishing large croaker (February–March), brótolas (August to December), southern kingfish (all year), and mackerel (in winter). Unlike the Playa Brava of Punta del Este, which has dangerous currents, this beach is much safer, although there are days with very big waves that can be dangerous. During the summer high season, there is a lifeguard service and public restrooms. Sand sports (football, volleyball, etc.) are better suited for the "Mansa" beach.
The salinity of the sea varies depending on the predominance of the winds (east and north wings bring saltier water, while west winds bring sweet water) and the volume of rainfall. The warmest waters correspond to the period February to April, while the coldest from June to December. During January comes the warm current from Brazil and pushes away the cold Malvinas current, so it is a transition month. Usually starting in July, but mostly between August and October, there can be seen whales very close to the southern coast.
See also
- PiriapolisPiriápolisPiriápolis is a city in the Maldonado Department of Uruguay. It is located on the coast of Río de la Plata, on Route 10 and its intersection with Route 37. It is about east of the national capital, Montevideo . Piriápolis is an important summer resort in the country, predating the larger and more...
- Punta del EstePunta del EstePunta del Este is a resort town on the Atlantic Coast in the Maldonado Department of southeastern Uruguay. It is located on the intersection of Route 10 with Route 39, directly southeast of the department capital Maldonado and about east of Montevideo...