Uruguay – Small in size, big on investment opportunities

Surprisingly dainty with a population of just 3.5 million, less than half that of Greater London’s, Uruguay nonetheless manages to pack a great deal into a small area from beautiful colonial towns to immaculate beaches. Once visited by only very few, word has got out, and buyers are now flocking to the flourishing internationally-renowned beach resorts offering ideal locations for overseas homes.

Punta del Este, 130km to the east of Montevideo, ranks up there with South America’s premier holiday resorts attracting up to one million visitors each year and has been bestowed with numerous nicknames from ‘the Pearl of the Atlantic’ and ‘the Hamptons of Latin America’ to ‘the St Tropez of Uruguay’ and even ‘the Ibiza of Latin America’. Sitting on a peninsula that reaches out into the ocean, separating the surf of the Atlantic Ocean from the calm waters of Rio de la Plata, Punta del Este is an area of outstanding natural beauty which offers all of the nightlife and all of the tranquillity that you desire.

In January and February Punta del Este’s 20 miles of sandy beach turn into a playground for beautiful people, wealthy South Americans and a sprinkling of celebrities. Naomi Campbell and Gisele Bündchen are Punta regulars and author Martin Amis owns a bolt-hole there. The modern marina beckons yacht owners from all over the world who bring their impressive cruisers over for some winter sun and fun. Rental returns quite literally go through the roof for this ‘season’ with stylish apartments commanding thousands of euros each week.

Whichever experience you require – lounge music on warm beaches til dawn, trying your luck on the baize in the American-style hotel casinos, admiring one of the world’s largest sea lion colonies on Isla de los Lobos, joining the jetset and stocking up on Gucci, roller skating with the children or simply taking in the most incredible sunsets - Punta del Este has it sewn up. True paradise for holiday home hunters and property investors alike.

Just on the outskirts of Punta del Este, three minutes from stunning beaches and overlooking Laguna del Sauce, is Swan Lake Forest, a 50 hectare resort set into forested Uruguayan countryside. Packed with facilities for leisure and pleasure, Swan Lake Forest has a central Clubhouse complete with swimming pool and gymnasium, paddle tennis courts and clay tennis courts as well as plenty of pathways for walking through the woodland.

The lake of Laguna del Sauce itself provides the setting for kayaking, windsurfing and yachting whilst three top notch 18-hole golf courses are within the Punta del Este catchment area – namely La Barra Golf Club, Cantegril Country Club and Club del Lago, all are very popular and offer very early tee times to try and satisfy demand. A Swan Lake Forest resort concierge will attend to any special requests.

Swan Lake Forest has recently released Gomez Platero architect designed semi-detached and detached villas for sale. Five different styles of semi-detached villa are on offer ranging from two to four bedr0oms, 150m² to 250m² in built area and on plots of 1,100m² to 2,000m². The detached villas cover six different designs ranging from three to five bedrooms, 250m² to 450m² in built area and on plots of 2,700m² to 4,900m². Apartment designs are in the pipeline.

Prices start from 350,000 USD for a two bedroom semi detached villa and from 650,000 USD for a three bedroom detached villa. Payment terms are 10% deposit, 30% upon contract and 60% upon completion.

For more information, visit gem-estates.com