Por 123@hotmail.com , 09-11-2007

where to stay in jose ignacio?? - call Topo Machado +598486 2137 and ask him for a fairly priced room.. He is a lovely real estate agent there who is always glad to help.. Speaks decent english. 2Key

Por absoluthealth@hotmail.com , 23-12-2006

can I rent a surfboard & wetsuit? - can I rent a surfboard & wetsuit? We are going to BA tomorrow & then to Uruguay. We just want to know what to bring. Thanks!

Por apz , 28-09-2006

Where to Stay in Jose Ignacio - If it isn’t too much trouble, would you be able to give me some information regarding where to stay in Jose Ignacio? I am traveling to Uruguay at the end of November (through the first week of December) and would like to visit this village for a night or 2. Thus far, I have only been able to find information on 1 hotel and it’s a bit on the expensive side. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Por PJLoop , 22-09-2006

*sigh* - Ahem...

Mind you, there ARE locals in Jose Ignacio.

We are a fistful of low profile good-natured people, and this is something people from Punta del Este (which are more likely from Montevideo) fail to see. Possibly because it is always hard to have a meaningful look around while your head is far up your own ass. Ah, territorial pissings are so tempting...

Anyway, I have been in and out of Jose Ignacio for more than 30 years. But I admit I live and work in the city now. Still, there are full-time locals, mainly Diego (from Popeye restaurant) and Ezequiel, and a whole new batch of young grommets.

The small-but-growing Jose Ignacio crowd is polite and well-behaved and respectful visitors will be well received, particularly if they say hi and talk to us.

Or else? Or else nothing. Or else you'll miss the great vibe and miss out on some of the best things in life. You won't get punched or anything, don't worry. Your rental won't be set on fire. A bad attitude is your own problem, not ours (not for more than an hour or two).

People from Punta del Este, on the other hand, are not well received because they are rude and disrespectful. That's sad. We are there to enjoy what we love, aren't we? But Punta del Este is a sick, money-driven place and well... I just haven't figured it out yet. They seem to keep missing the essential.

Aaaanyway, you ARE welcome, just come and say hi, and respect everyone. Please don't drive your 4WD to the beach. If you are dumb enough to do this despite the polite signs asking you not to, we will get it towed away. Yes, that was an "Or else". We have one or two, nice as we are.

Other than that, avoid the peak summer months (January, mainly), unless you want to see a lot of posing and jet-set knuckleheads and don't be misled by the surf school guy. He's old and bitter and a bit of a depressive pothead. But he lives there so show respect and if he's on a bad day just paddle to another peak.

Enough said.
Good waves - cheers,