Discover the museum’s various exhibitions, which include an impressive collection of sea shells, an exhibition on South America’s most famous beach resorts, and an insectarium with more than 38,000 specimens. Highlights include the Pirate collection, devoted to the region’s pirating history and filled with treasure chests, hooks, and wooden legs; and a collection of marine mammal skeletons, which includes dolphins, sea lions, orcas, and four different species of whale. The collections are expansive, so leave yourself around two hours to take them in.
The museum is located in the La Barra neighborhood of Punta del Este, about 1 mile (1.5 kilometers) north of the Barra Bridge. It’s an about 15-minute drive or taxi drive from downtown, or else buses stop just north of the bridge.
The museum is open daily from 10am to 5.30pm, or 8.30pm in summer (Dec–Mar). The quietest time to visit is on a weekday morning—take a tour of the museum, then head down to nearby Barra Beach for lunch at one of the beachside restaurants.
Punta del Este is most famous for its beaches, but it’s worth setting aside a day to take in the sights. Pose for photos by Mario Irrazábal’s The Hand sculpture on Brava Beach; visit Casapueblo, the museum-residence of Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró; and drive across the wave-inspired La Barra bridge, on route to the Museum of the Sea. For the best views, climb to the top of the La Vista 360 tower, or book a table at the Punta del Este Yacht Club to watch the sunset over the harbor.
