Location
Uruguay
Status
Unofficial / Tolerated
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Sand
Best season
December to March (peak January-February)
About Chihuahua Beach
Playa Chihuahua is Uruguay's best-known naturist beach, on the Río de la Plata coast of Maldonado department, about 15-20 km west of Punta del Este, between the El Potrero stream and the small, pine-shaded resort of Chihuahua near Laguna del Sauce airport. Nudism here goes back to the 1960s, when Argentine visitors with land nearby began using the isolated shore; in the 1980s the Coast Guard raided it after press coverage, but in 2000 the Maldonado government and the national tourism ministry authorised it as a naturist beach. In 2012 the Intendencia fixed the nude zone's limits: from the mouth of the El Potrero stream in the west to an imaginary southward line along El Foque street in the east, with the dunes as the inland limit, after the national naturist association protested that a first draft cut off the busiest part. Within that zone nudity is optional but the norm. The beach is wide, soft golden sand backed by dunes and maritime pines, facing calm estuary water. In January and February it draws 2,000-3,000 people a day, mostly Uruguayan and Argentine naturists; a naturist hotel operates nearby, and summer kiosks and banners have made it busier.
Getting there
Chihuahua is at about km 115.5 of the coastal Ruta 10 (Interbalnearia), between Ocean Park and Tío Tom, roughly 20-30 minutes by car from Punta del Este and a few minutes from Punta del Este (Laguna del Sauce) airport. A vehicle entrance leads to the beach near El Foque street, with free parking close to the entrance. There is no direct bus to the beach; buses on the Interbalnearia stop about 1 km inland, otherwise use a taxi or ride-hail. From the car park, walk a few minutes over the dunes; soft sand, not wheelchair accessible.
What visitors say
Visitors describe a friendly, calm and respectful naturist crowd from Uruguay, Argentina and further afield, with good weather, soft sand and easy access by car. Long-time regulars complain that the beach has become noisier and more commercial, with kiosks and banners, and that some clothed visitors come mainly to stare. Shade is scarce, so people bring umbrellas, water and food. Several note there are now more boundary signs than before, which helps first-timers find the nude zone.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
Nudism at Chihuahua was authorised by the Intendencia de Maldonado and the Ministry of Tourism in 2000, and Maldonado resolution 8839/2012 (replacing 7823/2012) sets the zone from the El Potrero stream to the projection of El Foque street, with signs at the limits. Outside the zone, ordinary beach rules apply; Montevideo, for example, fines bathing without swimwear.
Naturism at Chihuahua Beach sits under Uruguay's rules for de facto tolerance — usually left alone if you keep it non-sexual and low-drama.
Full country law: Uruguay public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. -34.9189, -54.8489
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in Uruguay
Frequently asked questions
Is Chihuahua an official nudist beach?
Yes. Maldonado's government authorised naturism there in 2000 and set the zone's limits by resolution in 2012.
Where does the nude zone start and end?
From the mouth of the El Potrero stream in the west to an imaginary line south from El Foque street in the east, with the dunes as the inland limit; signs mark the limits.
Do I have to be nude?
No, nudity is optional, but most people in the zone are nude and staring or photographing others is frowned upon.
How do I get there?
Drive to km 115.5 of Ruta 10 near Laguna del Sauce airport, about 20-30 minutes from Punta del Este; there is no direct bus to the sand.
When is it busiest?
January and February, when 2,000-3,000 people a day visit; December and March are quieter.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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