José Ignacio Travel Guide: Uruguay’s Secret Beach Town
José Ignacio, the former sleepy fishing village turned tourist hotspot on the Uruguayan Atlantic coast, is located about 3 hours from the capital Montevideo. This little town is known for its iconic lighthouse, long stretches of sandy beaches, white-washed cottages, and a handful of amazing restaurants. Excited to share our Jose Ignacio travel guide with you!
It can get crowded there during the summer months (December-February), but the rest of the year Jose Ignacio is quiet and peaceful. Unlike Punta del Este, Jose Ignacio is a very low-key beach destination. We were only there for 2 days, but it was more than enough time to fall in love with this place!
things to know before jose ignacio
Best time to visit
In the summer, José Ignacio gets very busy and crowded. There’s lots of traffic and prices are high. Therefore, the best time to visit is off-season—March to November—when José Ignacio looks more like the peaceful fishing village it once was. We went in March when the busy tourist season was almost over, but the weather was still quite nice.
Language
Brush up on your Spanish, as you will most likely need to use it there.
where to stay in jose ignacio
We stayed at the lovely Anastasio Hotel & Beach Club—a gorgeous property just a few steps away from the beach and a short walk from the town center. The hotel consists of 3 villas, each one of them containing 8 spacious suites filled with lots of light. We could literally hear the ocean from our room! Anastasio Hotel & Beach Club offers various onsite amenities, such as an outdoor pool, spa center, fire pit with a lounge area, and a beautiful terrace where a breakfast buffet is served every morning. We loved the laid-back atmosphere of this hotel and the proximity to all attractions and would recommend Anastasio Hotel & Beach Club to anyone looking for a beautiful place to stay in José Ignacio with a good value for the money.
There is no shortage of amazing hotels in Jose Ignacio. Some of the other hotels we’d love to stay at in the future include Playa Vik, Bahia Vik, and Casa Suaya.
where to eat in jose ignacio
La Susana Vik. Our lunch here was one of the most memorable meals in Uruguay. There’s nothing better than eating a meal while listening to the sound of the ocean! The food here is all organic and local, arriving to your table from surrounding farms and ranches.
Parador La Huella — an iconic beachside restaurant that’s open year-round. They serve simple meals with lots of seafood in a very relaxed and laid-back atmosphere with stunning coastal views. This is a great spot for an intimate dinner. Reservations are highly recommended.
Marismo — a trendy spot with a tiki bar and an outdoor-only dining area.
La Excusa Coffeehouse & Bar — a stylish cafe in the center of José Ignacio with good coffee and fresh croissants.
things to do in jose ignacio
go to the beach
Relax at one of the gorgeous white-sand beaches or go surfing! Surfing is a popular activity in José Ignacio. If you’ve never tried it, but have always wanted to learn, check out Hopupu on Playa Brava (recommended by many locals).
go wine tasting
Uruguay’s wine is not as widely known as Argentinian wine, because most of the wine Uruguay produces is consumed locally, and only a small portion is exported each year. So while you’re there, you have a chance to try local wines and you shouldn’t miss it. We spent an afternoon wine tasting at Bodega Oceánica José Ignacio, and we highly recommend this place. If you have more time, go on a day trip to Garzon to do a wine tasting at Bodega Garzon, followed by an incredible meal at El Garzon restaurant. We’ve heard so many good things about the winery, the restaurant, and their head chef Francis Mallmann, so it’s definitely on our to-do list for the next trip.
Check out the lighthouse
This gorgeous lighthouse is the main attraction of José Ignacio. Get your postcard-worthy shot of the lighthouse and the ocean, and don’t forget to climb the stairs to get to the top of it, where you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of the town and shoreline.
Take a stroll around José Ignacio
The town is small and walkable and has lots of cute houses and cottages, along with a variety of unique independent shops.
Relax at the Shack Yoga
The Shack Yoga offers guests various yoga classes and massage treatments. This spot was recommended to us by our tour guide, and it’s equally popular among locals and tourists alike.
