Punta del Este, Uruguay

The second smallest country in South America, Uruguay has a predominantly flat terrain. Its endless plains are speckled with vineyards, producing some of the best wine in South America.

Located on South America’s eastern seaboard, the country is surrounded by Brazil and Argentina.

Uruguay also has a spectacular coastline, featuring some of the continent’s most luxurious beach resorts—one of the most popular being Punta del Este.

Punta del Este’s population of about 10,000 swells to five times the size during the summer months of December to February, such is the popularity of the city.

Punta del Este is situated two-hours east of the capital, Montevideo, on the Atlantic Coast. It is one of the most famous beach towns in South America and attracts the elite from around the world.

In fact, it has a reputation as being the playground of the rich and is often referred to as the St. Tropez or Monaco of South America.

You’ll find high-end developments with stunning penthouses and multimillion dollar yachts dock in its marina.

Punta del Este is an incredibly popular destination for tourists—mainly from Argentina and Brazil, but also increasingly from the States.

Apart from beaches and scenic beauty, Punta del Este also offers other past times, which include a glamorous nightlife and modern city life. This has gained the attention of many celebrities.

Spend your days in Punta enjoying the beaches, browsing the main shopping avenue of Avenida Gorlero, or looking at local handmade crafts at the fair.

The beachfront boulevards coupled with the lighthouse and the yacht harbor is also worth a visit.

There are also the endless restaurants, cafés, bars, clubs, and parties that have made the town famous.

Punta del Este is a top-class beach resort. With its fantastic beaches, fine dining, and nightlife, it’s a mecca for international travelers…and offers a super quality of life for the money for retirees.

In short, Punta del Este attracts expats from around the world and you’ll find social clubs and expat groups that host gatherings and events, giving you the opportunity to meet like-minded people.

There are lots of cafes, bars, and restaurants in the city too—and this is where you’ll also meet expats.

The high season in this coastal resort town is mid-December through February. The number of visitors to Punta del Este, Uruguay, at this time of year swells.

You’ll feel right at home in Punta del Este, with its European ambiance and laid-back seaside life.

Not too long ago, Uruguay had one of the cheapest costs of living in Latin America.

Fast forward to nowadays, and life here is not so cheap. That’s not to say it’s not good value for money. Punta del Este offers a high quality of life for a fraction of what you would pay in the States, yet it remains significantly more expensive than other popular expat destinations.

One of the biggest costs in Uruguay is owning a car. If you choose to buy a car, expect to pay more than you would in the U.S. or Canada due to Uruguay’s high automotive import duties.

On the flip side, health care is relatively cheap, so these costs balance out.

Click here for currency conversion at today’s exchange rate.

Let’s take a closer look at the cost of living in Punta del Este.

Apartment Or House Rental Budget (For A Couple) In Punta del Este

You won’t be bored living in Punta del Este—there is lots to see and do in this popular seaside town, known for its vibrant nightlife, gorgeous beaches, and upscale shops.

Renowned for its white sand and clear water, Brava beach is a local and expat favorite. The beach is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops—so if you need a break from the sun there’s plenty of other things to keep you entertained for the day.

The Punta Shopping Mall has an array of stores and restaurants…plus entertainment venues where you can watch a movie or go bowling.

You’ll find water sports in abundance here, including swimming, sailing, kayaking, and surfing.

If you are a golfer or tennis player, there are plenty of courts and courses in the area, too.

The city has parks, including the Punta del Este Botanical Garden which is perfect for an evening stroll.

For culture vultures, there are museums and art galleries dotted around the city. The Ralli Museum is home to a collection of paintings, modern sculptures, and lithographs by Latin American artists. Guera Galeria de Arte has contemporary works by local and international artists, and Galeria Sur features works by prominent Uruguayan artists.

Festivals and events are held throughout the year. The biggest is Festival of Las Llamas which celebrates the regions ancestors and features street dancers, drumming, and parades.

Other festivals include Day of the Dead (November 1), a Jewish Film Festival, and an International Jazz Festival.

Punta del Este has drawn a steady stream of expats for a long time. Uruguayans tend to have unlimited patience, they’re non-confrontational, non-violent, good-natured, and friendly.

Most importantly, Uruguay enjoys one of the lowest crime rates in Latin America, the culture is honest and hard-working, and levels of corruption are low.

Overall, this country is safe, stable, peaceful, and friendly.

Punta del Este is considered a safe place to live with many expats having no problem walking around alone at night.

Uruguay offers both private and public health care options at a fraction of the price you would find in the United States.

A lot of doctors can speak English, but depending on where you go, you may need someone to translate for you if you don’t speak Spanish.

Uruguay is paving the way for countries across the world with its unique health care system. Everyone is entitled to decent health care. For many, this means using the public health care system, available to natives and foreign residents alike.

Health care is free for those with low incomes. For others, you can expect to pay about US$75 for the ER service, doctor visit, and related lab work.

While that’s inexpensive for modern emergency care, you’d save much more going down the private route—even if you’re in Uruguay just part of the year.

Uruguay’s private health care system, called Mutualista, does not operate as health insurance, like in other countries.

Instead, members pay a monthly membership to a private hospital of around US$100. This system does not operate with deductibles or a lifetime cap, making it more beneficial for the member.

Life expectancy is high and infant mortality is low; and the ratio of doctors and beds to population is exceptionally good.

In Punta del Este, there are several hospitals and clinics, and emergency services are reliable. The major hospitals include Hospital Británico, Hospital Punta del Este, and Clínica Punta del Este.

There are also several pharmacies where you can get your prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs.

If you have a serious illness, the British Hospital in Montevideo (two-hours away) has an excellent reputation for its standard of medical services.

Citizenship is relatively easy to get when you move to Punta del Este, given the low financial requirements for doing so (great for retirees).

It usually takes around three to five years to get approval for citizenship, but the residency card (called a Cedula) becomes available much earlier on.

A Cedula is issued at the time of the application, regardless of the approval.

The benefit of this is that you are allowed the same luxuries and facilities available to any other national of the country.

The easy residency also allows you to import your household items before residency has even been granted.

Uruguay enjoys four distinct seasons, and its 41-inch rainfall is spread evenly throughout the year, without any wet or dry season—although rain is uncommon in the mid-summer months of January and February.

The weather in Punta del Este is fantastic during the summertime months of November through March—with little rain and a pleasant average high of 76°F (24.4°C), thanks to the ocean’s moderating effect. (It’s nice in the wintertime too, but not warm enough to draw many to the beach.)

In mid-winter, highs run around 60°F, with the lows near 42°F.

Frost is rare in Uruguay, and it never snows. Few people use air conditioning due to the cool evenings and ocean breeze, but you’ll want to use the heat in the wintertime.