Tali Kimelman
For decades the fishing village of José Ignacio, just over 30km east of Uruguay’s popular seaside resort of Punta del Este, was a well-kept secret. It was prized for its comparable simplicity: low-rise architecture, unspoiled beaches and a quirky artistic community. That discretion and charm, however, lured blow-ins from abroad seeking a haven away from city life in Montréal or Miami, along with seasonal South American sun-seekers and socialites. In recent years the village transformed to accommodate new guests, smart hotels replaced fisherman’s cottages, queues grew outside modest cafés and 4x4s began to line up along the sandy dirt roads.