Aerial view of a rocky point and sandy cove with the low houses of the village spreading along the coast

Beach · Rocha Department

Punta del Diablo

A fishing village turned beach resort in Rocha, with rocky points, sandy lanes, surf beaches and wooden boats hauled up on the sand

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Photo: Elaine Wzorek (@elainenunesw) / Unsplash

Discover Punta del Diablo

Punta del Diablo lies on Route 9 in the far east of Uruguay, about 298 kilometres from Montevideo. The village is built on a gentle slope above the sea, and rocky headlands run out into the water between its beaches, giving views over the whole settlement. Its streets are mostly unpaved, and accommodation is low-rise: cabins, small hotels, hostels and campsites rather than towers.

The fishing tradition is still visible. On the Playa de los Pescadores, in the centre of the village, the artisanal boats rest on the sand; they head out early in the morning and return in the late afternoon, when the fishermen drag them up the beach by hand and clean and sell the catch. Either side lie surf beaches such as La Viuda and the Playa del Rivero, while the craft fair in the centre gathers local artisans and musicians on summer evenings.

Don’t miss

01Artisanal fishing boats on the Playa de los Pescadores
02Surf at La Viuda and the Playa del Rivero
03The craft fair in the centre of the village
04The fish-shaped Mirador Pez lookout on the Playa del Rivero
05Rocky points with views over the whole village
06Walks north into Santa Teresa National Park

History & culture

The story of Punta del Diablo

The village takes its name from the many shipwrecks along this stretch of coast in past centuries. Fishermen settled here in the early 1940s, catching sharks whose liver oil was exported during the Second World War. Fishing remained the main livelihood for decades, and the community still keeps the tradition alive alongside tourism.

Tourism grew steadily from the late 20th century, and today the small permanent population, 823 people in the 2011 census, is joined in summer by large numbers of holidaymakers from Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil and beyond. Strict building rules have kept the village low-rise.

Local life & traditions

Punta del Diablo is home to fishermen and artisans, and its character comes from that mix. Fresh fish and seafood dominate restaurant menus, and the catch is often cleaned and sold on the beach. In the evenings the craft fair in the centre fills with stalls and live music, and beach bars open along the Rivero in summer. Out of season the village is much quieter, though some lodgings and restaurants stay open all year.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Days revolve around the beaches: families favour the calm, sheltered Playa de los Pescadores, while surfers head to La Viuda, where east swells form good peaks, and to the Playa del Rivero, which is surfed all year; competitions are held in summer. In the late afternoon it is worth watching the fishing boats come in. The two-level Mirador Pez lookout on the Rivero beach is a place for sunrise and, from July to October, for spotting whales. From the rocks at the end of the Rivero, a beach walk leads into Santa Teresa National Park along Playa Grande.

When to go

The high season runs from December to February and over Easter week, when the village is lively and busy. From July to October southern right whales pass along the Rocha coast and can be seen from lookouts. Spring and autumn are calmer, and the Rivero beach can be surfed all year.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Location: Route 9 km 298, Rocha Department, about 298 km from Montevideo and 43 km from Chuy on the Brazilian border. Source: turismorocha.gub.uy ↗
Whale-watching season: July to October; the Mirador Pez on the Playa del Rivero is one of the lookouts. Source: turismorocha.gub.uy ↗
Lifeguards: Lifeguard service and beach bars operate on the Playa del Rivero in summer. Source: turismorocha.gub.uy ↗

Checked against the sources on 31 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Be on the Playa de los Pescadores in the late afternoon to see the boats return.
Surfers should check the swell and wind: La Viuda and the Rivero face different directions.
Visit the craft fair in the evening, when it is at its liveliest.
Book well ahead for January, February and Easter week.
Walk north over the Rivero rocks to reach Santa Teresa National Park's beaches.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Punta del Diablo: food, markets & places to stay

Santa Teresa National Park, with its fortress, gardens and beaches, begins at the northern edge of the village. The Laguna Negra lies inland across Route 9, and La Coronilla, Cerro Verde and Chuy are further north. To the south, the coast leads to Aguas Dulces, Barra de Valizas and Cabo Polonio.

Punta del Diablo & what’s nearby

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Aerial view of the star-shaped stone fortress on a green hill, with woodland, a road and flat wetlands stretching behind

National park

Rocha Department · 5.4 km away

Punta del Diablo in pictures

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Sources & verification

This guide was researched from the sources below and reviewed by our team on 31 October 2026. Facts under “Verified information” link to the page they were checked on; travel tips are general guidance. Photos are credited on each image. The ambient recording’s author and licence are shown in the sound player.

Punta del Diablo — Turismo Rocha (Intendencia de Rocha)
Playa de los Pescadores — Turismo Rocha (Intendencia de Rocha)
Surf en Punta del Diablo — Turismo Rocha (Intendencia de Rocha)
Playa del Rivero — Turismo Rocha (Intendencia de Rocha)
Mirador Pez — Turismo Rocha (Intendencia de Rocha)
Punta del Diablo — Wikipedia

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