La Paloma
La Paloma arrives in the early evening — a manageable beach town with a strong surfing culture and a more year-round character than Punta del Diablo. Before dinner, walk the Avenida del Faro to the tip of the cape and the Faro Cabo Santa Maria. The lighthouse has a troubled origin: construction began in 1870, but in April 1872, when the tower had reached its full 30-meter height and inauguration was being planned, it collapsed, killing a number of French and Italian workers who are buried nearby. The rebuilt lighthouse was finally lit on September 1, 1874 — an event that effectively marked La Paloma's founding as a coastal resort. It was designated a National Historic Monument in 1976. The 143-step spiral staircase leads to a balcony with views over the resort, the rocky Playa del Faro below, and the open South Atlantic. The ruins of the first collapsed tower are still visible at the base. The lighthouse is open Thursday through Sunday (10am–1pm and 2pm–5pm), so if the timing works, go up; if not, the walk out to the cape and the beach below it are worth the stroll regardless. From there, the town's restaurant strip is a short walk back along the main avenue.