Maldonado is the capital of Maldonado Department of Uruguay. It is located on Route 39 and shares borders with Punta del Este to the south, Pinares - Las Delicias to the south and to the east and suburb La Sonrisa to the north. Together they all for a unified metropolitan area. East of the city flows the stream Arroyo Maldonado. The next city to the north is San Carlos, only 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) away on Route 39.