Punta del Diablo is a small coastal village in eastern Uruguay, famous for its beaches and its waves, which make it a popular surfing spot in Uruguay.
During the summer season (Dec-Mar), the population in Punta del Diablo swells from 1,500 to over 20,000.
Visiting in early November, like I did, you’ll have a very different experience from what most tourists do. Punta del Diablo is very quiet at this time of the year and you’ll be one of a handful of non-locals and able to experience more authentic village life. Also building, repairing, and painting seem to be one of the main activities, as the locals are getting the village ready for the high season tourist influx.
Sandy and dusty roads, not very well signposted, cross town. Very colourful houses and shacks welcome you at every corner. A couple of convenience stores are open all day so you can stock up on all you need. Most of the beach restaurants and bars are closed, and the few that are open trade only during the day. So a walk along the Avenida los Pescadores by night will be a very quiet experience (and if you haven’t sorted your dinner you may end up with an empty stomach!).
Long and empty beaches offer opportunities for relaxing walks while enjoying the scenery, the waves are already pretty good for surfing, and the sun is shining.
What I liked the most about Punta del Diablo out of season was the calm atmosphere, and if this is something you enjoy, then I strongly recommend a visit outside of the main tourist season!
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