Living in Punta del Diablo, Uruguay: A lesbian couple’s first year
Shelley and Chas moved from Georgia to Punta del Diablo, Uruguay. Real monthly costs, LGBTQ community, bringing cats, residency + advice.
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As is the case everywhere in the world, real estate prices vary based on location. Buying property in Uruguay for living in Montevideo or Punta del Este is the most popular choice among foreigners from the northern hemisphere, given the availability of services and the lovely water-front promenades (called ramblas) which border both cities.
We’re going to look at the cost of both renting and buying property in Uruguay—specifically in these two cities and focused on a one-bedroom apartment and a three-bedroom house in January 2025.
Wait. Before reading further, check out our article on the different neighbourhoods (or barrios) in Montevideo.
And our article on Montevideo’s ten beaches.
In Montevideo it is easier to find apartments (condo units)—after all, half of the country’s population lives here. Prices depend on proximity to the sea mostly. Waterfront neighbourhoods tend to be the most expensive, and as you go further north properties get cheaper.
A small (40 sq metres or 430 sq feet) unfurnished seafront one bedroom apartment in the upscale neighbourhoods of Punta Carretas or Pocitos averages 250,000 USD, whereas houses are located further from the city centre in the more residential, yet still upscale, neighbourhoods of Malvín and Punta Gorda, where a three bedroom home (125 sq metres or 1,345 sq feet) with a garden and sea view can go from 500,000 to 1,000,000 USD.
Rent for these properties would be between 1,000 and 2,000 USD, and around 4,000 USD, respectively.
For more affordable options you have to give up on the waterfront views. You can look for apartments and homes in the bustling neighbourhoods from Ciudad Vieja to Cordón, close to the city centre, home to universities and Montevideo’s traditional commercial district. A small one bedroom apartment here goes for at least 100,000 USD and a three bedroom home for 300,000 USD. Rent for these properties would be around 500 USD and 1,000 USD, respectively.
Renting furnished or unfurnished Nowadays Airbnb is dominating the furnished rental market, which is not a bad thing. Regular rental contracts are minimum one year in Uruguay—and require a hefty guarantee—, whereas Airbnb allows for shorter stays. So the regular rental market is primarily unfurnished.
| Location | Property type (all unfurnished) | Renting | Buying |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punta Carretas or Pocitos | Waterfront one bedroom apartment | 1,000 to 2,000 USD | 250,000 USD |
| Malvín and Punta Gorda | Three bedroom home | ~4,000 USD | 500,000 to 1,000,000 USD |
| Cordón to Ciudad Vieja | One bedroom apartment | ~500 USD | 100,000 USD |
| Three bedroom home | 300,000 USD |
Above: Our interview with a Montevideo realtor regarding the Montevideo real estate market both buying and selling
If you want to get away from the city and live on the ocean yet have access to services and good health care close by, consider Punta del Este. Frenetic only during the summer months, this self-proclaimed ‘exclusive’ beach resort is the choice for many foreigners. Many homes and apartments here are set up for tourism so they tend to be fully furnished, and unlike Montevideo, many have maid service.
Buying a three bedroom home close to the beach in Punta del Este can go from 200,000 to 1,000,000 USD, whereas rent averages 2,000 USD per month for this type of property. A small unfurnished seafront one bedroom apartment can be bought for as little as 150,000 USD, and rent goes from 1,000 to 3,000 USD depending on the amenities available in the building, such as pools, gyms, sauna, maid service, coworking spaces and more.
| Location | Property type | Renting | Buying |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean views* | One bedroom apartment | 1,000 to 3,000 USD | 150,000 USD |
| Residential | Three bedroom home | ~2,000 USD | 200,000 to 1,000,000 USD |
*There are virtually no waterfront houses available in Punta any longer. Most frontline properties are apartment buildings.
When renting apartments or condo units or a home in a gated community, there are extra fees known as gastos comunes, a monthly charge or condo fee paid by tenants to the property administrator for building costs such as maintenance, heating, water and security. The cost depends on amenities and services offered. For instance an apartment with 24-hour door person and year-round heating will likely have very high condo fees.
Check out our collection of articles on buying property including the buying process, taxes and more
Like any investment, there are risks associated with buying real estate to live or as an investment. A trusted local network is extremely important, especially when you are from out of town, as it were. You may not expect this, but in Uruguay, realtors are allowed to represent both the buyer and the seller in a negotiation. What is considered a conflict of interest in another country is perfectly normal—and legal—here.
So what can you do to be on the best footing? Feel free to fill in the form that pops up when you click any of the regions below (Colonia, Montevideo or Punta del Este & Maldonado) to get access to our network of reliable realtors and notaries in Uruguay.
This article was written consulting Mercado Libre and Info Casas, prices as of January 2025.
Living in Punta del Diablo, Uruguay: A lesbian couple’s first year
Shelley and Chas moved from Georgia to Punta del Diablo, Uruguay. Real monthly costs, LGBTQ community, bringing cats, residency + advice.
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