Beach Ghost Towns

Laid back beach life without a worry in mind. That best sums up Cabo Polonio. With Winter approaching, the beach towns of Uruguay are free from tourists, much to my solitary enjoyment. A neighborly dog and I walked the long and empty beach strand in Cabo Polonio, a beach so remote, I had to take a 4WD truck for 30 minutes over sand dunes to reach it. Life could not be more simple amongst the residents in this hippy village without electricity.

A local dog kept me company and served as my protector from any other dogs that should cross our path along the deserted beach. I admired the waves as they crashed forward along the sand. I gladly sipped mate, the tea of choice, with a local I met while trying to buy fish to cook. I played cards and practiced my Spanish under candlelight with a Quebec Canadian. And I fell asleep listening to the waves crash from my bedroom window at Cabo Hostel that sat directly in front of the water. Simple and relaxing.



However, I needed internet, and so I traveled farther East to Punta del Diablo, a surfer haven with gorgeous beaches as well. I met the 20 something American owner of the hostel, El Diablo Tranquilo. 4 years ago, he came to Punta del Diablo with his family and fell in love with the place. After traveling for a year, he decided to follow a dream and build a hostel. He wrote the business plan, raised the money and built an incredible hostel and bar and now he has the coolest place on the beach. People like him and others I have met during my travels continuously inspire me to always take the risk and pursue the dream.