Punta del Diablo, Uruguay

"-The weather in Punta del Diablo is generally warm year-round, with temperatures generally ranging from low to mid 70s(F). -Languages spoken in the area are Spanish and Portuguese. Knowing at least one of them would be beneficial if you plan to become a permanent resident. -The cost of living in Punta del Diablo is relatively affordable, and there are a number of affordable housing options to choose from. -The residents of Punta are friendly and welcoming to foreigners, and the town has a relaxed, “surf vibe” atmosphere. -Public transportation is limited, so having a car or bike would be beneficial. -There are plenty of activities to do in the area, such as hiking, surfing, swimming, and fishing. -Healthcare options are limited, so having an adequate health insurance plan is important," said one person in Punta del Diablo.

"Before moving to Punta del Diablo, it is important to know that this small fishing village is located in the department of Rocha, Uruguay and is a popular destination for tourists and backpackers. The village has a population of only around 1,200 people, making it a quiet, relaxed, and safe community to live in. Visitors can expect a diverse range of activities to choose from, such as surfing, kitesurfing, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, taking boat tours, visiting the wildlife reserves, and exploring the small local artisanal markets. Access to basics such as groceries, utilities, and internet is available, albeit limited. Visitors should ensure that their vaccines are up to date and note that snakes, spiders, and large lizards are known to reside in the region. The official language is Spanish so some knowledge or willingness to learn the language is recommended. The village is small and compact, with the majority of lodging being cabanas or camping grounds, and the climate is humid subtropical with temperatures varying from warm summer days to chilly nights," said one expat in Punta del Diablo.

"If you are looking for a place to live in Punta del Diablo, there are many options available to you. Depending on your budget and what you are looking for, there are apartments and rental houses for short-term and long-term stays. You can also look into camping and hostels which can provide an affordable option for accommodation. Airbnb also has many properties listed in Punta del Diablo which can be a great option for those looking to stay in the area. Additionally, there are websites dedicated solely to helping travellers search for housing in Punta del Diablo, such as DiabloNest. Finally, you can also look into real estate agents and local newspapers which may list available properties in the area," explained one expat living in Punta del Diablo.

"Expat homes or apartments in Punta del Diablo are typically simple wooden structures with corrugated tin roofs. They often have bright, cheerful exteriors, with weather-resistant paint in bright reds, blues and greens. The interiors are generally quite basic, often with tiled floors, hand-painted and basic furniture. Expats can typically choose from a range of apartments and homes in a range of sizes, from studios and one-bedroom apartments to spaciouse three- and four-bedroom houses. Most of the properties come with their own outdoor areas like balconies or terraces, with some offering views of the beach," remarked one in Punta del Diablo.

"The cost of housing in Punta del Diablo varies depending on location and size, but is generally on the lower side when compared to other destinations in Uruguay. Prices range from basic camping facilities to luxurious beachfront villas," explained one expat.

"First of all, learn some Spanish, preferably Castellano (Castile, Spain) instead of the Mexican version... They will understand YOU, but you may not understand THEM... Many TV shows here are in English with Spanish subtitles... It helps, believe me, especially with grammar. We have one Canadian couple here and one crusty old Irishman... Those are the only expats we have met in our tiny fishing village of 1,000 souls... This agrees with us PERFECTLY, as we want to assimilate, not hang with expats. I would recommend just chatting the local up - your grocery clerk, the fellow who fills the tank for your car at the Ancap station, the meat man (prime rib is always in the meat locker, seldom out front). We have made friends of a family who own a wine/cheese shop in the town where we buy our groceries... They love to practice their English while we practice our Spanish. My dentist has just returned from a trip to British Columbia to do a work/study tour on a boat up there. He practices his English with me & I practice my Spanish with him... We have been so well received & made welcome, I may eventually offer English classes for adults... My best advice is not to be shy and simply venture "Buen dia" occasionally until you feel more comfortable. Undoubtably, someone will eventually try to engage you in conversation on the bus or at the market. If they speak to fast for you to understand, simply request "mas lentamente, por favor" & they will slow down. I had to retrain my ears to the Castellano, altho I had grown up speaking Tex/Mex and Mexican Spanish. Just be yourself, be courteous & respectful, smile & the world will open up for you. Be aware that here we don't say "Adios" but, rather, "Ciao!" Schnitzel is Milanesa here... Germans may have invented it, but the Italians immigrated first, so there ya go... :D One of the BEST places to meet people is the local futbol matches and/or practices. Uruguayans are rabid futbol fans, and will quickly try to persuade you to root for their favorite teams... ;p," remarked one in Punta del Diablo.

"Punta del Diablo is a great place to meet people and make new friends. One of the easiest ways to meet people is to join any organized activities, from surf lessons to social events, to meet people with shared interests. You can also try joining a local sports team, hostel activities and travel excursions. Additionally, there are plenty of great local bars, restaurants, and cafés to meet people and get to know the locals. Finally, don’t forget to network! Talk to people you know and ask them if they know anyone in the area," explained one expat.

"Hah! That's what we DON'T have here... Here is just a magic vibe, granite boulders covered with mussels & snails, the mighty Atlantic on your doorstep, with 4 beaches. As for activities, just daily life is enough for us... Gardening, cooking out, building on our house. The whole area is filled with national parks and some old Spanish/Portuguese forts, etc. Great for hiking through the ghost gums (eucalyptus trees), checking out the capybara & fantastic birds from a comfy blind, and perving on all that luscious plants in the shade gardens, etc... Laguna Negra is nearby, a great lake for fishing & camping. Don't expect your catfish to look like the ones you've caught. These have a fin all the way around the back to the belly side of the tail, but they taste the same... If you or your kids are into soccer (futbol here) then you're home free as far as a social life. Life revolves around the kids. Get to know your lavadera (laundry lady). Ana is great, cheap, and knows how to get whites white. The "other guy," however, who has stickers on all the fridges in the rental places, will hang your clothes on the line & spray with fragrance. :-/ They will come home with all of the dirt still in them, but smelling fresh, thank you... Our town dentist, Mario Garcia, is a godsend! The ONLY completely pain-free dentist I have ever known. We're getting ready to move back North for a spell to take care of elderly parents, but we are having hub's teeth fixed first. He needs a partial for the uppers, as he lost his back teeth long ago. He does NOT like going to the dentist, but he & Mario are friends & fishing buddies now. The partial & an implant in front are going to cost us about 1/20th of what we'd pay in the US and First Class work it is... Never any mercury fillings down here. In fact, Mario specializes in removing mercury fillings and replacing with ceramic," said one person in Punta del Diablo.

"Clothing and shoes suitable for the climate and terrain, rain gear, swimming gear, insect repellent, sunscreen, medications, kitchen supplies, bedding and towels, toiletries and personal items, camera, phone and charger, laptop, charger and other electronics, books and magazines, binoculars, outdoor games and sports equipment, first aid and basic tool kit, and copies of important documents," explained one expat.

"To set up a bank account in Punta del Diablo, you should visit the local branch of the Banco de la República Oriental del Uruguay (BROU). They offer banking services and have locations throughout the city. Alternatively, other local banks like Banco Santander, Bancamiga, and Banco República also offer banking services. To make sure that you can open a bank account in Punta del Diablo, it is best to check with the particular bank you wish to open an account with to see what their requirements are," said one person in Punta del Diablo.

"Most jobs here at the moment are in construction, as our village is growing. Most of the construction going on is for rental properties for the tourist trade, rather than personal housing... Many people find employment with the hotels, restaurants, or as musicians. One friend of ours is a fish cook in summer and does bricklaying & concrete work in winter... ;p," replied an expat in Punta del Diablo.

"Well, more a fishing village than a city. As above, heavy tourism. When we moved here, there were 1,100 year-round residents. Now, we have over 3,000 - in only 5 years! We have the govt-supported artesanal fishing fleet. The rest of the "industry" here is fitted around the tourist industry - lodging, food, drink, entertainment. VERY quiet place in winter; you can be the only person on the beach. VERY busy place in summer - 40,000 tourists & a main beach clogged with 20,000 people at a time... TONS of career opportunities exist here! CAVEAT - you must invent them yourself. Nobody here is going to 'give you a job." At the moment, our cybercafe has closed... Get some PCs and open a new one!!! Save ONE computer for the adults to use, please... ;p If you are a cook, you can put your special cinnamon buns & other goodies in the local grocery shops, no permit required. If you are an artist, you put up a little stand in front of your house or get a letter of permission from the owner of a piece of land with nice traffic... Build a stand & sell your paintings, sculptures, etc. No permit; no problem. I sold small paintings the first year we were here through a local restaurant. No, I didn't get rich, but we could afford that Spanish black pork more often... In 2012, I started making my own soap again because we have a rather harsh climate here & my skin was dry. Shared a few bars with friends & POW! Instant demand! They were hooked because there IS no natural soap down here, just the syndet bars from J&J or P&G. Next step? I chatted up Marta, owner of our pharmacy, and she became a fan. I began selling my soaps & beauty creams through her pharmacy, giving 20% commission to her. Almost no effort, yet a good $100USD per month coming in... And because it is ARTESANAL, no permits, no bribes, no FDA, etc. If you are a forward-thinker and motivated, you can find a skill you already have and make a business of it. For instance, we desperately need someone competent for computer repairs, copying movies from CD to pen drive, etc. Diablo currently needs a hairdresser & barber, too. Many people take advantage of the tourism & do massage, etc., then take the rest of year off," remarked one in Punta del Diablo.

"It is possible to find a job in Punta del Diablo, depending on the time of year and availability. The tourist season, when the population in the town dramatically increases, offers the most job opportunities in hospitality, restaurants, retail and other seasonal roles. There are also job opportunities year-round in agriculture, fishing and some construction work, but these roles tend to be offered to locals or experienced personnel," explained one expat.

"Family, family, family. Getting ready for tourist season. Working like demons to keep their renters happy & greet guests, etc. during the season. Rest like crazy the first 2 months after high season & plan for next year. Many things have changed since we arrived in 2011. For one thing, instead of having little wooden "corrals" for the garbage (which dogs would get into & spread trash everywhere), we now have the standard type dumpsters and DAILY garbage service. There is another truck that follows the first once a week and it is equipped to wash the dumpster once it is emptied... Very cool," remarked one expat in Punta del Diablo.

"Family is the MOST important consideration here. Raising kids on pure air, clean water, unprocessed foods (keeping them from eating too many sweets) are all high priorities. Life is not a race here. Relax, take five minutes instead of one - they're small. :D The parilla is an EVENT, not a meal. It's a chance for family & friends to get together around the grill for nice conversation while the kids run around, a few delicious bites, a glass or two of excellent wine... Our village is centered around two things: tourism & fishing. One feeds the other & vice-versa. The one word that ALWAYS comes up in conversations about Punta del Diablo is "que tranquilo," which, of course, it IS. Everyone is relaxed... I found myself relaxing immediately. Anything that can't be finished today will certainly be waiting for you tomorrow. I doubt, when I stand before my Maker, that I will regret not having spent more time cleaning house or washing dishes. Rather, time with friends on the beach fishing or taking the sun, enjoying one another's company is a high priority for me," explained one expat living in Punta del Diablo.

"The lack of the fedral gummint's nose in my business. The fact that people here are more laid back & easygoing in their approach to life. The fact that there are no "old folks' homes" here. Old folks stay with the family until they die - they don't get farmed out for someone else to take care of because the family can't be bothered..," replied an expat in Punta del Diablo.

"Expats living in Punta del Diablo often appreciate the relaxed and laid-back lifestyle, the friendly locals, and the lack of commercialism that still remains in the area. They also enjoy the small-town charm and scenic views of the nearby beaches, as well as the abundance of outdoor activities such as fishing and surfing. The local cuisine is also a plus, and the activities and music festivals held throughout the year provide plenty of entertainment for expats," remarked one in Punta del Diablo.

"Expatriates often find the process of settling in and adapting to a new culture and environment to be the most challenging. Cultural and lifestyle differences can make it difficult to adjust to a new way of life, from the food, to the language and the climate. Other challenges may include navigating bureaucracy, making new friends and securing gainful employment. Additionally, legal and financial considerations can be a challenge, especially when trying to access public services or transfer money," said one person in Punta del Diablo.

"Because of 3 previous head injuries, I struggle with remembering precise wording & phrasing of Spanish, especially now when faced with formal Castillano... But people are so patient & understanding, even if you arrive speaking Mexican Spanish, they still understand you, as most of their TV is in Mexican Spanish..," remarked one expat in Punta del Diablo.

"Punta del Diablo is a small beach town with low levels of crime. Local police maintain a visible presence and there are rarely issues of violent crime. Petty theft does occur, so tourists should always remain aware of their belongings," said one expat in Punta del Diablo.

"Punta del Diablo is known for its diverse cultural makeup. Many people from different walks of life come to enjoy the beach town, and locals are generally welcoming and accepting of those who are different. In recent years, the town has become even more welcoming of diversity, making it a great place to visit and a great place to call home," remarked one expat in Punta del Diablo.

"Punta del Diablo has two primary public schools and one private Catholic school. The public schools, Escuela N 14 (primary school) and Colegio N 689, are both funded by the Uruguayan Ministry of Education and offer classes from kindergarten through 11th grade. The private Roman Catholic school, Colegio Santa Teresita, offers classes from kindergarten through 9th grade. All three schools offer a quality education with a focus on language, science, basic arts, physical education, and religion. The student body in the public schools is made up of a mix of local and international students, while the private school serves mainly local students," wrote an expat with kids at in Punta del Diablo.