Punta del Diablo, Uruguay is a top beach destination in South America. In the summertime (December to February), the town is flooded with tourists eager to soak in the sunshine.
Outside of summer, the village is a ghost town – and people seeking solitude will surely find it on the Punta del Diablo shore.
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We were there in April, when the roads were dusty and the dogs outnumbered the residents. Still, we believe Punta del Diablo is one of the best beach cities in Uruguay!
Located on the northeastern coast, Punta del Diablo is just 30 miles south of the Uruguay-Brazil border in the Rocha Department (region).
The town is best reached by bus (or car); the ride takes about 5 hours from the capital city, Montevideo, and about 2.5 hours from stylish Punta del Este.
Not truly off-the-beaten-path (Lonely Planet named Punta del Diablo one of the Top 20 Places to Visit), the beach town attracts a bohemian crowd with a laid-back atmosphere.
5 Things To Do in Punta del Diablo, Uruguay
With roots as a fishing village, life has always resided on the seaside – and the town still lacks a traditional center.
Since the area has been ‘discovered,’ development has brought a slew of vacation rentals that have expanded the boundaries. However, regulations have kept new buildings to a minimum.
Practically void of any major attractions, Punta del Diablo is one of the best places to visit in Uruguay to enjoy a slower pace of life.
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#1 Chill at Punta del Diablo Beaches
Surfers and sunbathers flock to Punta del Diablo, Uruguay for the stunning beaches. Even in the off-season, we spent our days on the sandy shoreline.
What makes Punta del Diablo one of the best Uruguay beach towns is that there are multiple stretches of unspoiled sand for tourists to explore.
Playa Pescadores
Fronting the oldest part of town is Playa Pescadores. This is the most commercialized beach in Punta del Diablo, but still with just a smattering of beach bars and tourist kiosks lining the boardwalk.
It is also where the fisherman tie up their boats and unload the fresh catch of the day. At the south end of Playa de los Pescadores is Feira de Artesanos – the Punta del Diablo Flea Market – where you can pick up souvenirs and handmade gifts.
Playa del Rivero
Just north of Playa Pescadores is Playa del Rivero, the most popular Punta del Diablo, Uruguay beach. Much longer than Pescadores and more suitable for both swimming and surfing, Rivero is where most tourists visit.
Playa Grande, Punta del Diablo
Playa Grande is one of the best beaches in Uruguay. The 2-mile-long powdery sand beach is north of Playa del Rivero.
It is easily accessed by a sandy trail that climbs over the rocky peninsula at the north end of Playa del Rivero. Lacking any structures, Playa Grande is a peaceful, beautiful stretch of natural beach.
Playa del Barco, Playa de las Achiras and Playa de la Moza
These smaller beaches are north of Playa Grande. They are lesser-visited and the shoreline marks the boundary of the Santa Teresa National Park.
The rocky outcrops provide a wonderful place to sit and watch the waves. We spotted several dolphins along this stretch, too!
Playa de la Viuda
The most southern Punta del Diablo beach is Playa de la Viuda. Not ideal for swimming (there are strong currents), it’s great for walking and seeking out a secluded space to relax and suntan.
#2 Visit Fortaleza de Santa Teresa
The Santa Teresa Fort is one of the only tourist attractions near Punta del Diablo. The historic military fort is located just 7 miles north of the town within the greater Santa Teresa National Park.
The fort is open to visitors (for a small fee) and the surrounding park – with intertwining paths and lush vegetation – is free to visit.
Fortaleza de Santa Teresa itself dates to 1762. It was built by the Portuguese, but was captured by Spain in 1793, and was the site of many brutal battles.
You can take a quick trip to the fort and park – or spend an entire day in the area. We took the bus – a short 10-minute ride from PdD – to the main entrance.
After wandering around the fort and park, we decided to walk back along the ocean. We walked the 7-mile route via three beaches: Playa de las Achiras, Playa del Barco and the Playa Grande.
Top Tip: To the north is Cabo Polonio, an off-the-grid village that has no roads, electricity or running water. The area is well-known for a colony of sea lions and the shifting sand dunes.
#3 Walk To Faro Punta Palmar Lighthouse
The red-and-white striped Punta Palmar Lighthouse sits at the southern end of Playa de la Viuda.
Although it is part of a private residence and not accessible, the elevated, rocky peninsula offers fantastic views of the sea.
The lighthouse was built in 1977 and is still used for nautical navigation. We recommend packing a picnic and taking a stroll for a lunch-with-a-view!
#4 Roam the Town of Punta del Diablo
Even with the recent boom in tourism, it doesn’t take more than 20 minutes to get from one end of Punta del Diablo to the other.
However, exploring the grid of dirt roads to corner markets, mom-and-pop restaurants and picturesque viewpoints can take an entire afternoon.
Let the sound of the roaring ocean serve as a compass as you follow dusty roads that are not marked by street signs.
Begin in the cluster of dwellings in the oldest part of town near Pescadores Beach. Stroll down the streets lined with restaurants, pescaderos (fish shops), supermercados (grocery stores), and traditional oceanfront homes.
Wander deeper into the neighborhood and up the hill on the northern end of town. Here new holiday apartments are quickly being built for optimal ocean views.
#5 Watch Amazing Sunrises at Punta del Diablo
The beaches in Punta del Diablo face east – and the sunrises are nothing short of phenomenal. During our stay, we witnessed brilliant skies streaked in purple, pink and gold at dawn.
We were fortunate to have an east-facing balcony that provided an elevated view of the beach and horizon. Waking up early and watching the sunrise is an essential Punta del Diablo, Uruguay activity!
Punta del Diablo, Uruguay Map
Use this Google Map to find your way around Punta Del Diablo…or, you know what, just wander!
Things To Know about Punta del Diablo
Before you travel to the beach, we have a few tips for your trip to Punta del Diablo, Uruguay. Quick Fact: Punta del Diablo means Devil’s Point.
Pro Tip: In order to stay organized as you prepare for your getaway to Uruguay, use our Printable Travel Planner.
What To Eat in Punta Del Diablo
Fresh fish is caught daily and sampling the locally prepared seafood is an absolute must!
If your accommodation has a parrilla, you can also grill up your fresh catch right at home. Also don’t forget try other classic Uruguay Cuisine!
Stray Dogs of Uruguay
Anyone visiting Punta del Diablo will quickly notice the multitude of dogs. They roam freely and run in little packs.
They also love to stir it up with anything entering their turf – birds, other dogs, horses, motorbikes, and even cars.
However, most stray dogs in Punta del Diablo love people. They quickly become best friends with any human being walking down the road, greeting them with wagging tails.
During our stay, we had our own little ‘dog-tourage’. We even named them: Patch, White Sox, Coon and Foxy.
Our furry, four-legged friends were at our heels from the moment we stepped out of our cabin and hung out on our patio when we would have a fire.
Visiting Punta Del Diablo in the Off-Season
During the off-season, the town nearly shuts down. Most restaurants, bars, hotels and hostels are shuttered for the winter. The few places open seldom have customers and they are mostly locals.
Everything but the ocean waves (and dogs) cease movement. For us, the abandoned town felt totally peaceful. Punta del Diablo in the winter is truly a place to get away from it all.
The few restaurants and supermarkets open in the off-season often alternate by day of week.
Prices for accommodations also plunge during the winter. You can easily find a beach-view apartment in Punta del Diablo for half the price of what it costs in the summer.
The weather can be a bit rainy in the off-season. Although most of the days during our two-week stay were filled with sunshine, we did have a few foul weather days.
Where To Stay in Punta del Diablo
During our visit, we stayed in an amazing Airbnb. We have found that staying in apartments is often less expensive than hotels – with the added benefit of a kitchen and, usually, more space.
Our free-standing, two-story beach cabin had a thatched roof and an upstairs balcony that offered views of the sea. The space was perfect for us!
Punta del Diablo Hotels
For those who prefer traditional accommodations, there are Punta del Diablo Hotels to choose from in – or close to – the town center.
Check out these top-rated hotels (based on guest reviews) for your upcoming Uruguay trip: El Diablo y el Mar and Marisma.
Whether you are booking a hotel or an apartment, start your search on Booking.com!
Start planning your trip to Uruguay! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
Also traveling to Argentina? Great! Be sure to read our complete guides to Buenos Aires and Bariloche!
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