About Piriapolis
Piriapolis was Uruguay’s first seaside resort. It is located just 40 kilometers west of Punta del Este in the Department of Maldonado. It is different than other coastal areas of Uruguay in that it has several nearby hills. Piriapolis’ Centro (downtown) has a Mediterranean feel, complete with fishing boats and a beautiful rambla (beachfront walkway). People say when you are looking toward San Antonio Hill from the downtown area at night, it looks like Monaco.
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| San Antonio Hill from the Piriapolis rambla |
Piriapolis real estate offers a variety of settings
Centro
Piriapolis’ Centro has a long stretch of beach, stores, shops, lots of restaurants, and is close to the bus terminal. Everything is in easy walking distance, making it unnecessary to have a car.
Hillsides
The surrounding hillsides include small farms, individual homes, and new residential developments with water views.
New apartments are being constructed on the side of Cerro de San Antonio, which is close to the water overlooking the marina. There is also a new residential development of single-family homes called Sugarloaf Ocean Club and Spa on the side of Cerro Pan de Azucar, which offers a view over the community of Piriapolis as well as the water.
Beaches
On either side of Piriapolis’ Centro are residential beach communities. Going east from Centro are the communities of Playa Grande, Playa Hermosa, Playa Verde, Las Flores, and Bella Vista. Going west from Piriapolis’ Centro are the communities of Punta Fria, Punta Colorado, and Punta Negro.
Type of homes in Piriapolis
Most of the properties available in Piriapolis are detached single-family homes set within their own yards. There are three larger apartment buildings in Piriapolis. Two on the front line and one back further. There are also smaller buildings with attached apartments.
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| There is not a typical single-family home in Piriapolis. Instead there is a mix of sizes, ages, styles, and conditions, often in close proximity to each other. |
Who is buying real estate in Piriapolis
Most Piriapolis property buyers are Uruguayan followed by an international crowd that includes Canadians, people from the USA, and Germans.
Why expats are buying homes in Piriapolis
As a seasonal getaway
Many of the North Americans who have bought property in Piriapolis come to escape the Northern Hemisphere winter. Some Canadians, who used to escape to Mexico, are now coming to Piriapolis because it is safer.
For year-round living
Some English speaking expats have purchased homes in Piriapolis for year-round living. Piriapolis is seen by many as a good place to raise a family or a tranquil place to spend an active retirement.
As an investment
Several expats have purchased homes (or purchased land and built homes or cottages) to be used as summer vacation rentals. Like many of Uruguay’s beach communities, the demand for summer rentals is high during the peak summer months of December, January, and February.
Others are buying land and lots in and around Piriapolis with the belief that Piriapolis property values will continue to rise.
Piriapolis real estate prices and market trends
Current Piriapolis property values
Simon Keys-Massey, with SunSeaViews Property has generously provided information about Piriapolis’ real estate market. According to Simon, a small simple home in Piriapolis may sell for 70,000 to 80,000 US dollars. Many of the lower priced homes in Piriapiolis were built with single wall construction, which is fine for summer vacation properties. However, more substantial homes with double wall construction hold heat better and are preferred for year-round living.
A two bedroom home with double walls might cost 150,000 US dollars, and a high end 4-bedroom home with a swimming pool and great view might cost 500,000 US dollars.
Piriapolis property values have been going up at a rate of around 15 percent per year for the last several years.
Piriapolis real estate market trends
Currently, the most popular Piriapolis neighborhoods for buyers are Los Angeles (in Centro) and San Francisco and Punta Fria located east of Centro.
The least expensive neighborhood, close to the beach, is Playa Grande (next to Los Angeles).
Simon says the number of homes for sale in Piriapolis seems to be gradually decreasing. With the strong Uruguayan economy fewer people have the need or desire to sell.
What expats like most about Piriapolis
Beautiful Setting
Piriapolis’ setting is unique: a small coastal town with a Mediterranean feel surrounded by lovely green hills.
Quiet and peaceful
It is a smaller and quieter beach resort than Punta del Este. It is known as a place that is good for families and people looking for tranquility.
Affordability
Homes in Piriapolis cost less than comparable homes and apartments in Punta del Este.
A warm and inviting small town feel
Piriapolis has a year-round population of around 8,000. English speaking expats interviewed for this article report that they feel very accepted by their Uruguayan neighbors. One told the story of local Uruguayans stopping to help change a tire on the side of the road after a blow-out.
Lots of things to do
Piriapolis has great beaches, a large number of restaurants, lots of places to hike, as well as annual events such as a 10K run and a formula 3 auto race.
Convenient location
Piriapolis is just 98 kilometers from Montevideo and 40 kilometers from Punta del Este. There is regular bus service to both Montevideo and Punta del Este.
The Punta del Este airport is just a few minutes drive from Piriapolis, which has daily hops to Buenos Aires.
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| Piriapolis marina and boatyard |
Piriapolis’s boatyard has one of the largest travel-lifts in the region, making it a favorite place for international sailboat cruisers to come for work and repairs.
