Top places to visit in Punta del Diablo

• Parque Nacional Santa Teresa

  national park · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  A 3,000 ha coastal national park with pine forests, free wild beaches, a rose garden, greenhouse and a colonial fortress - a short hop south of the village.

• Playa de los Pescadores

  fishing beach · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The fishermen's cove at the heart of the village, where colourful boats are hauled onto the sand and fresh catch is sold. The social and visual centre of Punta del Diablo.

• Playa del Rivero

  surf beach · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The main surf beach right by the village, with consistent breaks, surf schools and a string of cabanas and bars - the liveliest beach in summer.

• Fortaleza de Santa Teresa

  fortress · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  An imposing star-shaped fortress begun by the Portuguese in 1762 and finished by the Spanish, restored within the national park with cannons and ramparts to explore.

• Playa Grande

  wild beach · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A vast, wild surf beach stretching south toward Santa Teresa, far emptier than the village beaches and backed by dunes - a place for long walks and big waves.

• Feria de Artesanos de Punta del Diablo

  craft market · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  The village craft market near the main entrance, where artisans sell ceramics, leather, jewellery and woodwork - the place to shop and soak up the bohemian vibe.

Things to do

• Punta del Diablo Surf Lesson Adventure · 2 h · from USD 40 per person
• Santa Teresa Fortress & Park Tour Cultural · 4 h · from USD 45 per person
• Horseback Riding on the Beach Adventure · 2.5 h · from USD 50 per person

Day trips and tours

• Punta del Diablo & Santa Teresa Day Tour 6 h · from USD 60

Where to stay in Punta del Diablo

• Pueblo / Playa de los Pescadores about UYU 70 per night

  The village core around the fishermen's cove, with hostels, cabanas, craft stalls and the main eateries — the social heart of the town.

• La Viuda & Playa Grande about UYU 75 per night

  A calmer residential beach stretch toward Santa Teresa, with quieter cabanas for those wanting space and nature.

Hotels

• El Diablo Tranquilo 3-star · USD 22 to USD 120 per night
• Terrazas de la Viuda 3-star · USD 80 to USD 160 per night
• Posada dos Lunas 3-star · USD 65 to USD 130 per night
• Cabanas del Pescador 2-star · USD 45 to USD 90 per night

Where to eat

• Cero Stress Seafood, International · about UYU 1,400 per person
• El Tiburon Seafood, Uruguayan · about UYU 1,300 per person
• Resto del Pescador Seafood, Uruguayan, Pizza · about UYU 900 per person
• La Casa del Tio Pizza, Italian · about UYU 850 per person

Getting to Punta del Diablo

Nearest airport: Punta del Este (PDP), about 168 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.

How visitors arrive in Punta del Diablo

• Coach from Tres Cruces (Rutas del Sol, COT) By road from Montevideo · common · unconfirmed

  Rutas del Sol and COT run coaches between Montevideo's Tres Cruces terminal and Punta del Diablo's small bus terminal. Source: thedailypackers.com

• Drive via Ruta IB and Ruta 9 By road from Montevideo · possible

  Rocha department's tourism page describes driving east on Ruta IB to Ruta 9 and onward. Source: turismorocha.gub.uy

Getting around

• Bicycle

  Bicycles can be rented through some hostels in Punta del Diablo, though the village is small enough that a vehicle is not needed.

• Bus limited to a few areas

  Buses run to Rocha, Chuy and Montevideo, but some stop only at the highway turnoff, a walk or hitch from the village.

  Buy COT bus tickets

• Car Rental Self

  A car is not needed in the village, but the guide suggests renting one in Montevideo if travelling in a group.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Cash-only village & ATM scarcity

  Whole village, especially off-season

  Punta del Diablo has very few ATMs that often run empty in summer; some visitors get caught short and rely on poor-rate informal exchange, and card cloning has occasionally been reported.

  How to avoid it: Bring enough cash from Rocha or Montevideo before arriving, use ATMs inside banks where possible, and keep cards in sight when paying.

• Beach belongings theft

  Playa del Rivero, Playa Grande

  Phones and bags left on the sand are taken while owners surf or swim at the busier village beaches.

  How to avoid it: Take a waterproof pouch, watch belongings in turns, and avoid bringing valuables to the beach.

Best time to visit Punta del Diablo

• Jan 27°C
• Feb 26°C
• Mar 25°C
• Apr 22°C
• May 19°C
• Jun 16°C
• Jul 15°C
• Aug 16°C
• Sep 18°C
• Oct 20°C
• Nov 23°C
• Dec 25°C

More in Uruguay

• Punta del Este
• Montevideo
• Colonia del Sacramento
• Piriapolis
• La Paloma

Frequently asked questions about Punta del Diablo

What are the top-rated places to visit in Punta del Diablo?

The highest-rated places in our Punta del Diablo guide are Parque Nacional Santa Teresa, Playa de los Pescadores, Playa del Rivero, Fortaleza de Santa Teresa, Playa Grande.

Where should I stay in Punta del Diablo?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Punta del Diablo: Pueblo / Playa de los Pescadores, La Viuda & Playa Grande.

How do I get around Punta del Diablo?

Ways to get around Punta del Diablo covered in our guide: Bicycle, City bus, Self-drive car, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Punta del Diablo?

Scams reported to us for Punta del Diablo include Cash-only village & ATM scarcity; Beach belongings theft. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Punta del Diablo?

Average daytime highs in Punta del Diablo run from 15°C in Jul to 27°C in Jan.