On the eastern reach of what is referred to as Punta is José Ignacio. José Ignacio is a small fishing village that became a popular surfing beach, and has since gentrified into an exclusive getaway for the world's most affluent leisure travelers. In 2006 José Ignacio started being reported as the world’s new international hotspot and was dubbed the “new center of global hip” in the October 2006 issue of American Express’ Departures Magazine.
José Ignacio is a place of exceptional and subtle natural beauty. The rocky point and sandy cove are ornamented with fittingly designed and modestly sized single-family homes. The community is mostly residential with a few businesses tastefully mixed into the neighborhood. Just inland from José Ignacio's coastal communities is the Medellin Polo Club, which includes large homes on acreage.
José Ignacio has two restaurants of note. One is La Huella, with dining that spreads out onto the beach during busy times; the other is Los Negros, known for preparing internationalized Uruguayan dishes served in cast-iron boxes.
A few new additions are coming to José Ignacio. One is the Setai Club, which will be a companion hotel to the Setai Cub in Miami’s South Beach. Another is Adolfo Suaya’s Casa Suaya, six rural guest suites with a restaurant to come. Adolfo Suaya is a Los Angeles restaurateur who started the Lodge in Beverly Hills and Hollywood’s Geisha House.
The awe of José Ignacio is its natural beauty. So far, developers have been successful in adding new homes and commercial opportunities without spoiling what makes José Ignacio special in the first place.
