Faro de Punta Carretas
Faro de Punta Carretas
4
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The original mechanism still operates in this 1876 lighthouse, which offers a lovely view from the top.
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Neighbourhood: Punta Carretas
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4.0
527 reviews
Excellent
153
Very good
223
Average
125
Poor
22
Terrible
4
SunSallyTayshun
32 contributions
July 2022
I was excited to see this lighthouse, but it was not that pretty and visiting was a weird experience. When we were walking toward it, my first thought was "Is that it?" It seemed really short and stubby for a lighthouse, and there were signs for a restaurant, so I thought maybe we were in the wrong place.
As we walked on the path toward the lighthouse, we counted no less than seven used condoms lying on the ground, so it seems like this whole area is a pick up spot that no one bothers to clean.
Finally, when we got to the lighthouse at 2 pm on a Sunday afternoon, it seemed we had arrived during the daily hours that it's closed (from 1 to 2:30) so keep that in mind before you go. The lighthouse is enclosed by a fence area (closed and locked up with a chain when we arrived) and looks more like someone's private home than a public tourist attraction.
There was a guy in the fenced area *washing his car* and I felt like I had taken a wrong turn and accidentally ended up in some guy's back yard. There was also a huge family in there laughing and yellina that seemed to be having an asado.
Is this a public lighthouse or someone's private home and yard? Very confusing.
No one inside the yard would look at us or make eye contact with us, which was odd. We had to walk over to see the sign to realize that the lighthouse was closed. I definitely wouldn't be back. They should decide if this is someone's house or a tourist attraction.
As we walked on the path toward the lighthouse, we counted no less than seven used condoms lying on the ground, so it seems like this whole area is a pick up spot that no one bothers to clean.
Finally, when we got to the lighthouse at 2 pm on a Sunday afternoon, it seemed we had arrived during the daily hours that it's closed (from 1 to 2:30) so keep that in mind before you go. The lighthouse is enclosed by a fence area (closed and locked up with a chain when we arrived) and looks more like someone's private home than a public tourist attraction.
There was a guy in the fenced area *washing his car* and I felt like I had taken a wrong turn and accidentally ended up in some guy's back yard. There was also a huge family in there laughing and yellina that seemed to be having an asado.
Is this a public lighthouse or someone's private home and yard? Very confusing.
No one inside the yard would look at us or make eye contact with us, which was odd. We had to walk over to see the sign to realize that the lighthouse was closed. I definitely wouldn't be back. They should decide if this is someone's house or a tourist attraction.
Written 10 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dmitry M
32 contributions
Sept 2022 • Solo
I went there in a morning, quite a long walk from the main road, going through the empty parking lot, something that looked like a squatter camp, on the gravel road. The lighthouse is small with a tiny clean yard, the keeper’s car inside. The grounds around more looked like a dump, with empty bottles and used condoms everywhere, probably people go there to have fun during nights. Not a good impression.
Written 19 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thecharlesP
Cordoba, Argentina240 contributions
Feb 2016
I often travel to montevideo and Punta Carretas neighbourhood is yhr one I like the most. Nevertheless the faro itself is totally unattractive abd you can certainly skip it unless you should pass by.
Written 22 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SaulloCastro
148 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
You can go there by car and stop very close to the light house. Since they use this are for waste water treatment, the place stinks, specially in hot days. Besides, the place needs more cleaning and the local authorities don't seem to be doing their job properly.
Written 2 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rafael F
Montevideo, Uruguay33 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
The lighthouse (and the rocky point where it is located) is the most southern point in Uruguay. Entrance is not the best (dirt road, lack of signals), but if you dare to the road end, you can get one of the most beautiful views of the city.
During nighttime, all city lights will came to life from here.
Before sunset, just go the the lighthouse and ask the guardian to enter. You can get to the top, enjoy the view, and see the whole mechanism of a real working lighthouse.
During nighttime, all city lights will came to life from here.
Before sunset, just go the the lighthouse and ask the guardian to enter. You can get to the top, enjoy the view, and see the whole mechanism of a real working lighthouse.
Written 27 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roby S
Montevideo, Uruguay54 contributions
Mar 2016 • Friends
The Punta Carretas light house is so near you, is so touchable, is so close and real, that if you are in Montevideo, you should plan to make a short walk just to see it and enjoy the view of the city from there. It is also a great site to go running if you like to jog when you travel.
Written 23 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim M
Seattle, WA135 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
Of all the interesting lighthouses in South America, this one seems particularly uninteresting. It is puny and dwarfed by the many communication towers surrounding it. The view of the Atlantic and Rio de la Plata depends on the color of the water. It was brown on our visit of several days. You do get a nice view of the skyline of the highrises along the Rambla Mahatma Gandhi and you can enjoy a nice walk along the wide path that accommodates scores of people exercising from walking to bicycling. But, unless I am missing something obvious this lighthouse is not worth the trip.
Written 1 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debora L
70 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
My family and I stayed a week in Montevideo, so we tried to visit all touristic places. We rented a car for the week, this Lighthouse was not in our plans but it was on our way to town so we stopped there around 5-6pm to see the sunset. It was completely empty, the ticket was very cheap (less than $3 dollars) and the view we had was breathtaking! We watched the sun going all the way down, there were few clouds, but the wind was cruel, we freezed up there. I highly recommend this place to watch the sunset, bring a good camera and some warm clothes!
Written 3 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wynn R
Morgan Hill, CA2,355 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
The “Carreras” this refers to were the carts used to haul garbage from the city and dumped at the shore. There is an old lighthouse built over the dump
Written 9 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
restrapo
Montevideo, Uruguay426 contributions
July 2019 • Solo
The walk to "el faro" (lighthouse) de punta carretas is not for the faint of heart. I counted at least five used condoms on the road to the lighthouse. Watch your step. However, once you get to the sanctuary of the lighthouse itself, the experience is marvelous. Nice gentleman kindly provided me with a ticket for entrance. Cost was 30 UYU pesos (.85 cents) with exchange of $1USD = 35.18 pesos. Great deal. There are 76 steps to the top. Once at the top great views of the punta carretas neighborhood, views of downtown (omnipresent palacio Salvo building) and the world trade building in the other direction. Well worth the trip to the lighthouse.
Written 20 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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