Martin Grosz
09/09/2021 6:01 AM
Clarín.com
Services
Updated 09/09/2021 6:01 AM
Last summer, due to the pandemic, Punta del Este was not an option for Argentines.
But everything indicates that in the 2021 season it will be.
The process of
reopening the borders
is underway and the novelty triggered inquiries in Esteñas real estate, where
rental prices
are already
confirmed
.
True to the tradition of this exclusive seaside resort, the values of temporary accommodation are
high and in dollars
.
Furthermore, this time life in Uruguay would be especially costly for Argentines, due to the exchange rate difference and the stocks.
Even so, the
interest to return is
already felt in the neighboring country, which after 18 months of closure allowed this month the entry of foreign
property
owners
with full vaccination, and is preparing to extend the permit to
all tourists
from the 1st of
November
.
"We are very happy and expectant, and there are already
many Argentines consulting
to come for weekends, on
vacations
or to make investments,"
Javier Sena, president of the Punta del Este - Maldonado Real Estate Chamber (CIPEM)
, told
Clarín
.
"They ask about properties of all kinds, from
apartments
to
houses and farms
. In general, they are families who
used to spend the summer
here. They want to know if the unit they rented in previous years is available, they ask prices and there began to be
reservations,
" he added.
Today, the families who used to spend the summer on the Uruguayan coast mainly consult.
Photo: Guillermo Rodríguez Adami / Archive.
Omar Oyhenart, manager of the Century 21 Uruguay real estate network, also observes "clear
signs of reactivation
" and said that "many clients are already taking the opportunity to specify, in order to
take advantage
of
the drop in prices
generated by the pandemic and before they return to The normality".
"Most of them seek to spend
longer periods
than before and pay fewer rents, but the offer is reluctant to lower prices and intends to recover what was lost last year. However, there are always concretions and despite the exchange difference we know that it will be a
very good season
", contributed Alejandra Covello, president of Covello International.
Rent apartments in Punta del Este: the reference prices for summer 2021
In the CIPEM they assure that the vast majority of the owners defined to
maintain the prices
in dollars of the summer of 2021. And, as a reference, they detailed to
Clarín
the values that are being requested for
January
for
an apartment
with a kitchen, living room, swimming pool, garage, cleaning service, beach service and complete equipment.
Units of this type with
1 bedroom
are offered at between
US $ 1,800
and
US $ 2,000
per
fortnight
, they said.
With
2 bedrooms they
range between
US $ 2,800
and
US $ 3,500
.
And with
3 bedrooms they
range from
US $ 4,500
to
US $ 5,500
, always for 15 days in January.
If you opt for something
more basic
, without a pool or services, they say that you can get apartments with
1 bedroom
for
US $ 1,200
or US $ 1,300 for the fortnight of January.
In
February
, meanwhile, everything
goes down 20% to 30%
.
Realtors say that rental prices in dollars from previous years will be maintained.
Photo: Xinhua / Archive.
Rent houses and farms in Punta del Este: the reference prices for summer 2021
In terms of
houses,
the values can vary a lot depending on the area, the category and the state.
But taking as a reference one with
3 bedrooms
and 2 bathrooms, rent in January can cost
US $ 3,500
to
US $ 5,000
per
fortnight
, according to the Real Estate Chamber.
And that, they clarified, refers to properties without a
pool
.
Since, if this convenience is included, the values range from
US $ 5,000
to
US $ 8,000
for 15 days in January.
For their part, the very exclusive
farms -
houses on land of at least
5 hectares
with a heated pool and various luxuries - are being rented for January in a range of
US $ 8,000
to
US $ 15,000
per
fortnight
.
"The
demand
for houses is
40% higher
than before the pandemic," Covello said.
And he exemplified that, renting
for the entire month
, 3-bedroom houses in La Barra can be obtained for
US $ 8,000
in
January
and US $ 6,000 in February.
Oyhenart, from Century 21, recalled that the most sought-after properties are those
facing the sea
, both in La Mansa and La Brava.
In
buildings
with a pool and gym, he estimated, prices range from
$ 100 a
night for 1-bedroom apartments to
$ 300
for 3-bedrooms.
And in top units, each night in January can cost $ 300 to
$ 600
.
"In
houses
We highlight the inquiries for
high-end properties
, with a park, pool and barbecue, whose prices range from
US $ 500 to US $ 1,000 per
night or more, "added Oyhenart. And he clarified that the
mid-range ones
range from
US $ 300 to US $ 600
per night.
To rent a house in Punta del Este for 15 days in January, you pay around US $ 5,000.
Photo: Uruguay Tourism Press.
How to reserve a property in Punta del Este from Argentina: the password and the new digital contract
Although there is still no official confirmation, the sector assumes that the Uruguayan government will again
release
tourist rentals in 2022 from the payment of Personal Income
Tax
(
IRPF
), which represents
10.5%
of the value of the contract.
That is why the values that the main portals show today do not include this tribute.
What will have to be added is the
real estate commission
, which raises the price by
10.75%
: these fees can be paid by card, when entering the property.
A novelty is that Argentines will be able to
sign the contract
remotely, thanks to an agreement between Argentina and Uruguay for the use of
digital signatures
that came into effect on August 12.
What they ask to reserve is to send
a signal
,
That can be from
20%
to
50%
of the rental value, something that many Argentines do by transfer from accounts abroad.
The pending balance will be paid, already in summer, when entering the house or apartment.
Uruguay would open borders in November and in Punta del Este they await the return of the Argentines.
Photo: Xinhua / Archive.
The option of staying in hotels in Punta del Este paying in pesos and in installments
As an alternative to temporary rentals, it is possible to
stay in hotels
, an option that in Uruguay has the benefit of
zero VAT
for foreign tourists, with the condition of booking without intermediaries.
In case of accessing through travel agencies, the benefit - not less - will be in the chance to pay
in pesos
at the "card" exchange rate and
in installments
with a credit card, and to get discounts for buying
in packages
.
For example, a complete proposal to go 7 nights as a couple to a
3-star with a pool
in January with a
direct flight
from Aerolineas Argentinas,
transfers
and
travel
insurance
is offered at
$ 266 thousand
, payable in up to 12 installments (with some cards, without interest).
And in a 5-star, with flexible reservation, the plan is going to
$ 400 thousand
.
Booking only hotel, meanwhile, there are options on a double basis for January of
3 stars
from
$ 15 thousand per night
,
4 stars
from
$ 27 thousand
and 5 stars from $ 40 thousand.
Paula Cristi,
Despegar's
general manager
for Argentina and Uruguay, told
Clarín
: "The opening of Uruguay's borders is
great news
for the tourism industry because it is always in the ranking of the
destinations preferred
by Argentines."
"Punta del Este - he added - is undoubtedly one of the favorite cities to visit in the neighboring country."
Among the
proposals
highlighted by that agency were this Tuesday:
Direct roundtrip
flight
of Aerolineas Argentinas for February for
$ 46 thousand
, with flexible reservation.
Accommodation
for 5 nights in December for 2 people, with a private beach and pool area, from
$ 57 thousand
.
Accommodation for 4 nights in January for 2 people with pool, sauna and valet parking from
$ 65 thousand
.
MG
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