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Home / Beaches / Playa Bikini

Playa Bikini

Пляж Бикини
Uruguay · Beach · Maldonado
high
Best month: January

Best for

Ideal for young people and lovers of active holidays, surfing and parties. Suitable for those who want to be in the centre of events. Not recommended for families with small children and lovers of peace.

Best month

January

Water
+20.0°C
Length
500 m
Playa Bikini in Manantiales is a trend-setting beach. It is located in an area where the coast has a more irregular profile, forming small bays, and attracts a fashionable crowd.
Surface
sand
Waves
strong
Entry
moderate
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
Playa Bikini in Manantiales is a trend-setting beach. It is located in an area where the coast has a more irregular profile, forming small bays, and attracts a fashionable crowd.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Scenic coastline
  • Strong waves for surfing
  • Developed infrastructure (restaurant, bar)
  • Lifeguards in season
  • Water sports opportunities
  • Scenic sunsets

Cons

  • Very crowded in high season
  • Strong currents and deep sea
  • Theft and fight incidents
  • Limited parking
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for young people and lovers of active holidays, surfing and parties. Suitable for those who want to be in the centre of events. Not recommended for families with small children and lovers of peace.
Features
What makes this beach unique
The beach is known as «Bikini Beach» — bikini swimsuits first appeared here in the 1960s, and today it is a trendy spot for surfing and social events. The beach is part of Playa Manantiales.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
golden
Sand Texture
Grain size
coarse
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
moderate
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
15 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
recommended
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
500 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
high
Average Water Temp
+20.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+24.0 °C
Wave Type
strong
Wave Height
1.5 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
December
Season end
March
Best month
January
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
high
Water Quality
Water purity rating
good
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
caution
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
15.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
Caution: theft and fights have been recorded in high season. Keep an eye on personal belongings and avoid conflict situations.
Dangerous creatures
Portuguese man o- war
Insurance & Connectivity
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
Yes
Umbrellas
Yes
Showers
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
Yes
Lifeguards
Yes
First Aid
Yes
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
Yes
Restaurants Nearby
3 pcs
Best restaurants

Parador Bikini

Uruguayan

Beachfront restaurant and bar with Uruguayan cuisine, snacks and cocktails

Bikini Bistro

International

Restaurant with international cuisine, open year-round

Nearby cuisines

Uruguayan

Traditional Uruguayan cuisine with grilled meat

Must try: Asado, chivito, fresh fish

International

International cuisine with sushi and light dishes

Must try: Sushi, fresh salads, seafood
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
vibrant
Crowd Level
overcrowded
Silence Level
noisy
Sunset Quality
exceptional
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
little
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
No
Diving
No
Surfing
Yes
Kayaking / SUP
Yes
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Flip-flops Cash Headwear
Best Time to Swim
The best time to visit is in the morning, when the water is calmer and there are fewer people. In the evening — sunsets and parties.
Local Rules
Be careful when swimming due to strong currents. Do not leave valuables unattended. Respect local residents.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Punta del Este

Prestigious resort town with restaurants and shops 25 minutes away

La Barra

Bohemian town with restaurants and galleries 5 minutes away

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Playa Bikini: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity high, average temperature +20.0°C, warms up to +24.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Playa Bikini: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — strong. Average wave height — 1.5 m. Strong waves will please surfers but require caution when swimming with children.
Playa Bikini: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — moderate. The shallow area extends for 15 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. It is recommended to bring aqua shoes — parts of the bottom have rocks or corals.
Playa Bikini: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — golden. Texture — coarse. Beach length — 500 metres.
Playa Bikini: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in December. It ends in March. The best month for a holiday is January. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Playa Bikini: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as good. Rip currents are likely — swim only in designated areas. Jellyfish risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Playa Bikini: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: Portuguese man o- war. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Playa Bikini: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, changing rooms, parking, Wi-Fi, sports ground. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Playa Bikini: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
Lifeguards are on duty on the beach — an important safety factor. A first aid station is available.
Playa Bikini: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Parador Bikini, Bikini Bistro. Cuisines available: Uruguayan, International. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Playa Bikini: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Flip-flops, Cash, Headwear.
Playa Bikini: when is the best time to swim?
The best time to visit is in the morning, when the water is calmer and there are fewer people. In the evening — sunsets and parties.
Playa Bikini: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Be careful when swimming due to strong currents. Do not leave valuables unattended. Respect local residents.
Playa Bikini: what activities are available?
The beach offers: surfing, kayaking and SUP. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Playa Bikini: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for young people and lovers of active holidays, surfing and parties. Suitable for those who want to be in the centre of events. Not recommended for families with small children and lovers of peace.
Playa Bikini: what makes this beach unique?
The beach is known as «Bikini Beach» — bikini swimsuits first appeared here in the 1960s, and today it is a trendy spot for surfing and social events. The beach is part of Playa Manantiales.
Playa Bikini: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Scenic coastline, Strong waves for surfing, Developed infrastructure (restaurant, bar), Lifeguards in season, Water sports opportunities, Scenic sunsets. Cons: Very crowded in high season, Strong currents and deep sea, Theft and fight incidents, Limited parking.
Playa Bikini: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Punta del Este, La Barra. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Playa Bikini: how do I get to the city of Maldonado?
The beach is located near the city of Maldonado. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Maldonado.

City

Maldonado

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.