Village centre
Restaurants, barsThe streets above the fishermen's beach, with most shops and bars.
Village guide
Things to do in Punta del Diablo
A fishing village turned surf and backpacker town near the Brazilian border, with sandy lanes, wooden cabins, wide beaches and Santa Teresa National Park next door.
3
Hostels in the city
8.8
Average, from 840 reviews
3–4
Days in summer
Surf, sand and slow days
Punta del Diablo is a village on the Rocha coast in the far east of Uruguay, around 40 km from the Brazilian border. It began as a fishing community, and fishing boats are still pulled up on the beach, but it is now one of the most popular backpacker spots in the country, with colourful wooden cabins along sandy lanes and a laid-back surf scene.
The village has several beaches: the Playa del Rivero for surfing, the Playa de los Pescadores by the fishing boats, and the long Playa Grande. Just north, Santa Teresa National Park has a star-shaped 18th-century fortress, forests, campsites and quiet beaches.
Give Punta del Diablo three or four days in summer, longer if you surf. January and February are lively, with hostels and bars full. The rest of the year it is very quiet, with many places closed, but beautiful for walks and whale watching from July to November.
Where to base yourself
Stay near the centre and the fishermen's beach for restaurants and bars, or in the quieter lanes near the Playa Grande or the Playa del Rivero.
Playa del Rivero
SurfThe surf beach north of the village.
Playa Grande
Quiet, long beachThe long beach south of the village, with quieter cabins and hostels.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 3 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Punta del Diablo
Surf. The Playa del Rivero, north of the village, has the most consistent waves, and surf schools rent boards and give lessons in summer. Beginners do best on calmer days with a teacher.
Visit Santa Teresa National Park, around 10 km north. The Fortaleza de Santa Teresa is a star-shaped stone fort from the 18th century, built during the wars between Spain and Portugal. The park also has gardens, forests, a greenhouse, camping and beaches such as Playa Grande and Cerro Verde, where sea turtles feed offshore.
Walk to the Cerro de la Viuda, a rocky point with views over the coast, and watch the fishermen bring in their catch on the Playa de los Pescadores. From July to November, look for whales from the rocks. The Laguna Negra, a large lagoon west of the park, is good for birdwatching.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The beaches are free, and so is watching the fishermen at work and the sunset from the rocks.
Santa Teresa National Park is free to enter, though the fortress charges a small fee. The walks along the coast between the beaches are free.
Whale watching from the shore costs nothing.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Fish is the reason to eat here. Try fish empanadas and buñuelos de algas, seaweed fritters, sold at stalls by the fishermen's beach, and fish of the day in the village restaurants.
The village has pizzerias, parrillas and cafés, and in summer food stalls line the beach. Many hostels have kitchens, and there are small supermarkets.
Off season, many restaurants close, so check before you go.
Nightlife
Going out
In January and February, Punta del Diablo has a lively backpacker nightlife, with beach bars, hostel parties and live music.
Off season, it is very quiet.
Nights can be cool even in summer, so bring a jumper.
Getting around
Getting around
The village is walkable, on sandy lanes. Bikes are useful for the beaches and Santa Teresa park.
Buses from Montevideo's Tres Cruces terminal take around four and a half to five hours, stopping at the entrance to the village. Buses run along the coast to Cabo Polonio, La Paloma and Chuy on the Brazilian border.
Chuy, around 40 minutes north, is the main border crossing to Brazil.
Costs
What Punta del Diablo costs
Punta del Diablo is good value for the Uruguayan coast. Dorm beds start around €15, and more in January. Beach stalls and hostel kitchens keep food costs down.
Surf lessons and board hire are the main extras.
There is an ATM in the village, but it can run out in summer, so bring some cash.
Safety
Safety and scams
Punta del Diablo is safe and relaxed. Take normal care with belongings in hostels and on the beach.
The Atlantic has strong currents and rip tides. Lifeguards work only in summer, so swim where they are, and surf within your ability.
The sun is strong in summer. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth leaving the village for
A fortress, lagoons and the rest of the Rocha coast.
Santa Teresa National Park
A star-shaped fort, forests and beaches.
Cabo Polonio
A village in the dunes with sea lions.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Summer season and whale season.
January and February
Summer season
Punta del Diablo
Full hostels, beach bars and live music.
July to November
Whale season
Rocha coast
Southern right whales offshore.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Punta del Diablo, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
When to go
January and February are peak season, warm and lively. December and March are quieter and still good. Winter is cold, windy and very quiet, but whales pass from July to November.
Jan
Peak season
Feb
Summer
Mar
Quieter, warm
Apr
Quiet
May
Many places closed
Jun
Cold, windy
Jul
Whales
Aug
Whales
Sep
Whales
Oct
Whales
Nov
Warming up
Dec
Summer begins
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Sea breezes keep it cool.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Punta del Diablo prices.
Treat these as a guide. January prices are higher.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Punta del Diablo questions
The ones we get asked most.
How do I get to Punta del Diablo?
By bus from Montevideo's Tres Cruces terminal, around four and a half to five hours.
Is Punta del Diablo good for surfing?
Yes, especially at the Playa del Rivero. Surf schools run lessons in summer.
When is the best time to visit Punta del Diablo?
January and February for the lively season, December and March for quieter beaches.
Is Punta del Diablo open in winter?
Many places close, but some hostels stay open, and it is beautiful and quiet.
How many days do you need in Punta del Diablo?
Three or four in summer, longer if you surf.
Can I go to Brazil from Punta del Diablo?
Yes, via Chuy, around 40 minutes north.
Is there an ATM in Punta del Diablo?
There is one, but it can run out in summer. Bring some cash.
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