Punta Colorada facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Punta Colorada
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Resort
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 Punta Colorada
Location in Uruguay
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| Country |  Uruguay |
| Department | Maldonado Department |
| Population
(2011)
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| • Total | 92 |
| Time zone | UTC -3 |
| Postal code |
20200
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| Dial plan | +598 443 (+5 digits) |
Punta Colorada is a small, beautiful peninsula and a popular vacation spot, also known as a resort, located in the Maldonado Department of Uruguay. It is a quiet place where people can enjoy the beaches and nature.
Contents
Where is Punta Colorada?
This resort sits on a peninsula, which is a piece of land almost surrounded by water. It is about 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) east of Piriápolis. Punta Colorada is also 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) west of Punta Negra. It is located about 24 kilometers (15 miles) west of the larger city of Punta del Este.
How Many People Live Here?
In 2011, Punta Colorada had 92 people who lived there all the time. There were also 483 houses, many of which are likely used for vacations. The number of people living in Punta Colorada has changed over the years.
| Year | Population | Houses |
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| 1963 | 56 | 140 |
| 1975 | 75 | 191 |
| 1985 | 38 | 211 |
| 1996 | 63 | 264 |
| 2004 | 62 | 325 |
| 2011 | 92 | 483 |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay
Exploring the Beaches
Punta Colorada has two main beaches, each with its own feel. To the west is Playa San Francisco, which is about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) long. To the east is Playa Punta Colorada, sometimes called the west beach of Punta Negra.
La Mansa and La Brava
Local people often call these beaches "La Mansa" and "La Brava." "La Mansa" means "the mild one," and it has calm waters. "La Brava" means "the brave one," and it often has bigger waves. This is similar to the famous beaches in Punta del Este.
Activities at the Beaches
During the summer, many people prefer "La Brava" beach in the morning. However, in the afternoon, the wind often changes. When this happens, swimmers move to "La Mansa" beach. They also enjoy the rocky areas on the west side of Punta Colorada. Here, natural sandy pools are protected from the wind.
"La Brava" beach is also a good spot for fishing. You can catch different types of fish like large croaker, brótolas, southern kingfish, and mackerel. Even though it's called "La Brava," this beach is generally safer than the "Playa Brava" in Punta del Este, which has strong currents. Still, some days have very big waves that can be dangerous. During the busy summer season, lifeguards are on duty, and public restrooms are available. For sports like football or volleyball, "La Mansa" beach is usually better because of its calmer sand.
Ocean Conditions
The saltiness of the sea water can change. It depends on the wind direction and how much rain has fallen. East and north winds bring saltier water. West winds, however, can bring fresher water.
The warmest ocean water is usually from February to April. The coldest water is from June to December. January is a transition month when warm currents from Brazil start to push away the colder Malvinas current.
Whale Watching
Starting in July, and especially between August and October, you might be lucky enough to see whales. They often swim very close to the southern coast of Punta Colorada. It is an amazing sight for visitors!
