Since the earliest days of my Real Estate Trend Alert, I’ve been scouting a little country I like to call the “Portugal of South America.” Yesterday I told RETA members in their alerts that I’m hoping to scout this country again in the next six months.
Why? Because it’s high on my list of new places to buy a property…to spend time…and potentially establish residency….
Draws for me include pine trees running down to sweeping Atlantic beaches…the fact that it’s neat and tidy…and there’s an incredibly attractive tax regime.
So, right now I’m making my preparations and geeking out on real estate research.
If you’re serious about finding opportunities in this country, or anywhere else, you need to be a RETA member. I share my most valuable and actionable boots-on-the-ground research with RETA members.
But today, I want to share with you what I told RETA members yesterday.
Let me tell you why this country is so special and why I’m hoping to scout there soon.
This little country is one of the best-kept secrets in international real estate.
A stunning, modern destination lined with sweeping cream- and golden-sand beaches, upmarket bohemian coastal towns, and ultra-luxurious resort cities that are beloved by the super-rich.
The ultra-rich flock to this destination from around Latin America (and beyond) to see and be seen on its stunning beaches…
This country is well-run, peaceful, and welcoming, combining the quality of life you get in Europe with the culture and vibrancy of Latin America.
And it has incredible weather spanning four seasons, with a mild winter, warm spring and fall, and glorious summer featuring average daily highs in the high 70s and low 80s F. Even better, these seasons fall at the opposite time of year to those in North America, making it a perfect place to escape the winter freeze up north.
I’m talking about Uruguay.
Little Uruguay, wedged between Brazil and Argentina, is South America’s safe haven.
Nestled between Argentina to the west and Brazil to the northeast, tiny Uruguay rarely makes international headlines. But in a region known for coups and protests, turmoil and instability, that’s a very good thing.
Uruguay may be small and overlooked, but it’s the wealthiest country (per capita) in South America, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the most democratic, according to The Economist.
Corruption levels here are judged to be lower than the U.S. The World Bank calls Uruguay a high-income country. More than 60% of the country is designated as middle class. This is a place noted for its safety and security, strong infrastructure, and sensible, business-oriented leadership.
Uruguay’s stability and prosperity over many decades—along with its easy residency options and favorable tax policies—have made it a renowned safe haven where some of the world’s richest folks like to own homes and park their wealth.
Many decades ago, this earned it the moniker “the Switzerland of South America.” But today there’s another comparison I think is even more appropriate…
Uruguay’s dramatic Atlantic coastline lined with cream-colored beaches and wooden boardwalks is often reminiscent of Portugal’s. This is a destination that combines the best of Europe and Latin America.
That’s “the Portugal of South America.”
Uruguay is not merely welcoming to foreign investors and investment, it’s also exceptionally beautiful, featuring a long, pristine Atlantic coastline lined with one stunning beach after another. Inland, it’s just as idyllic, with cool pine forests, fertile farmlands, and lush rolling hills.
With its temperate climate, livable capital, and under-the-radar bohemian beach towns, it can be eerily reminiscent of Portugal a decade ago, before real estate prices there surged.
I have no doubt the world will discover Uruguay, as it did Portugal. But for now this is a place where we can get in ahead of growing demand. And there’s rarely been a better time to explore this opportunity…
I haven’t been in Uruguay since before Covid.
As I say, I hope to get back there and do a serious scouting trip sometime in the next six months.
For now, I’m making my preparations and looking at listings along the country’s southern coast, east of the capital, Montevideo.
Dotted with glorious golden-sand beaches and a glistening marina, Punta del Este attracts well-heeled folks from around the world.
Here you’ll find the beach resort destination of Punta del Este. It’s widely considered the premier resort destination in all of South America.
For years, in RETA, we’ve been tracking a Path of Progress from Punta del Este, as it heads east towards the Rocha region. (A new highway is under construction here, with some sections already open.)
Now I’m actively looking for a place here, where I’ll have access to golf and dining. I don’t want anywhere too remote.
I’m looking for a condo as this would be a part-time base…something spacious with three bedrooms…I want a place that can generate some rental income in the peak summer months when I don’t intend to be there…
I’m looking to buy a place in Uruguay, along the stretch of coastline between Punta del Este and Rocha.
Below I’ll share a few listings I’ve perused lately. They’ll give you an idea what I’m looking at…
As Punta del Este became built up, wealthy buyers moved east to the bohemian towns of La Barra. This charming three-bed, three-bath apartment in La Barra is a short stroll from the beach. From the spacious terrace, you can enjoy ocean views while dining.
The apartment spans 1,076 square feet. It has an open plan living and dining area with an integrated kitchen.
It’s in a complex which features a communal swimming pool and barbecue area.
This property is on the market for $580,000. You can read all the details here.
This apartment in La Barra is centrally located and comes with two parking spaces.
Here’s another listing that caught my attention…
This four-bed, three-bath chalet near Punta del Este boasts a heated pool with a deck, plus a solarium, and a view of Laguna del Diario.
The chalet has a bright interior, featuring lots of wood, and a cosy fireplace. The dining room’s large glass door and windows connect it seamlessly to the exterior, a plot of about 10,763 square feet.
The chalet spans 3,013 square feet. While its dining room seats eight, the barbecue area can accommodate ten people.
While not to my profile but it shows how today your dollar stretches a lot farther here than in other upscale destinations.
This property is on the market for $500,000.
This chalet near Punta del Este has room for social gatherings.
Finally, here’s a beachfront home that could perhaps tempt me away from condos…
The house spans 2,152 square feet. And its location is incredible—just 98 feet from Solanas beach.
Two of the four bedrooms are on the ground floor, along with a living room and kitchen. Upstairs is another living room with a sea view you can enjoy from a 301-square-foot terrace
In the sheltered outdoor space, there’s a barbecue area, pool, and a pergola. There’s also a garage.
This property is on the market for $595,000.
I’m searching for a condo…but this is the kind of house that could change my mind!
I’ll keep digging into listings in the region. RETA members will be the first to know what I find in beautiful Uruguay.
And Uruguay is going to be a hot topic at The Gathering XII.
The Gathering is the RETA once-a-year private club meetup. And on August 27, RETA Lifetime members will get the chance to secure one of just 250 seats.
Seats will be claimed fast.
Once those seats are gone, they’re gone.
This is your moment to secure your place in the room. Three days in Panama City with my most trusted insiders.
If you’ve ever thought, “I wish I could sit down with the right person, in the right place, at the right time”—this is exactly that opportunity.
One of the many highlights is the sneak peek tradition…
At every Gathering, we hold The Sneak Peek—where I get to unveil a superb new RETA-only deal in person, with first pick going to those in attendance. It’s one of the most anticipated moments of the event…and one of the ways I make sure being in the room pays off.
Right now, it’s too early to give you the specifics of all the deals you’ll hear about at The Gathering XII in Panama City next March.
But I can tell you that if you don’t grab your seat this Wednesday, August 27, at 1 p.m. ET you will miss out.
As I say, you need to be a RETA Lifetime member to get your invitation. So it’s best to be ready now.
Wishing you good real estate investing,
P.S. If you’re interested in any of these listings you should hire an attorney and do your own due diligence. We haven’t done any due diligence on them.
P.P.S. As I say, I consider Uruguay the “Portugal of South America.” The two countries have a lot in common. I’m currently in Portugal checking in on my latest base: a historic mansion in Caminha on the country’s north coast. My wife and I are looking in on the renovation work we were having done. We’re delighted with the results! I posted a tour of the house on my Instagram. Having bases in beautiful destinations around the world allows me to live a boundless life, roaming the world with the security of income-generating assets that build wealth, even while I sleep. This is something I’ll be talking about in detail at The Gathering XII in Panama City. Hope to see you there!
