Things to Do in Punta del Diablo

Sunset from the lighthouse

The old lighthouse sits on Punta Del Diablo's southern point, reachable by a sandy path that winds past cactus gardens and fishermen mending nets. You'll hear waves crashing against the rocks below while seabirds wheel overhead, and the whole sky turns molten orange as the sun drops into the Atlantic. The wind picks up as evening approaches, carrying the sound of distant drums from beach bars.

Surf lessons at Playa Grande

The beach stretches for miles, with consistent waves that break both left and right depending on the sandbanks. You'll feel the board wax sticky under your feet while instructors - mostly Brazilian expats who never left - shout encouragement in Portuguese-accentented Spanish. The water's surprisingly warm, tinted brown where the Rio de la Plata meets the ocean.

Santa Teresa National Park

Twenty minutes north, this large park protects one of South America's last coastal forests. You'll walk through groves of gnarled ombú trees while hearing howler monkeys in the canopy, then emerge onto empty beaches where the sand squeaks underfoot. The park's old fortress, built by the Portuguese in 1762, smells of damp stone and history.

Fishing with local boatmen

Head to the main beach at dawn where weathered fishing boats pull up with the night's catch. You'll help haul nets heavy with silvery dorado while seabirds dive for scraps, then watch as the fishermen clean their haul on wooden tables, knives flashing in the early light. The whole operation smells of brine and fresh fish blood.

Beach horseback riding

Local gauchos lead small groups along Playa Vieja at sunset, their horses' hooves throwing up sprays of damp sand. You'll smell horse sweat mixing with ocean spray while riding past weathered fishing boats half-buried in dunes. The rhythm feels meditative, broken only by the occasional whinny and the distant sound of surf.

The area around Calle de los Pescadores puts you walking distance to bars and the main beach, though music drifts late into night

Playa Grande's hillside offers sea views from wooden cabins, but you'll face a steep climb home after dinner

The village center near the supermarket provides the cheapest hostels, with shared kitchens where backpackers trade travel stories

Barrio del Puerto hosts newer eco-lodges set back in the dunes, quieter but requiring bikes for beach access

Calle Sarandí's guesthouses occupy converted fishermen cottages, their walls thick enough to muffle neighbor noise

The road toward Santa Teresa has scattered campgrounds where you fall asleep to frog choruses instead of reggaeton