The 2008 "Season," Part II

As I mentioned in Part I, the peak season runs from about December 20 to about January 15. According to the local press, the peak season was a big success in terms of hotel bookings, a continued increase in the number of Brazilian and "non-regional" (i.e., European and North American) visitors, a tick up in the number of Argentineans (whose numbers had been significantly diminished the last two years by blocking of bridges linking Argentina and Uruguay), and the per-visitor amount spent. The fact that the Punta area continues to attract more wealth visitors but perhaps fewer of the middle range was reflected in the market for house rentals. Houses at the high end, those going for U$S 20,000 to $100,000 for the peak season, were all rented. But in the middle and lower price ranges, it seems about 40% of the offerings went unrented.

The farther up the coast from the peninsula one goes the more one notices an increase in visitors over previous years. For instance, Jose Ignacio, the northernmost and least developed part of the Punta area and where almost all of the houses are high end, is busier than ever. And the very undeveloped areas even farther toward Brazil, places like Punta del Diablo and La Paloma, are overflowing with young backpackers; it's only a matter of time until those areas become much more developed.

Perhaps the biggest news of this season in terms of new developments is that final approval was given in December for The Setai Group to build their luxury hotel and ocean-side bungalows along one of the pristine beaches in Jose Ignacio. This development will be right at the entrance to Jose Ignacio and probably will change he first impression one receives upon reaching the village. The development is sure to be tasteful and luxurious, but many are already bemoaning the loss of wide-open beaches.

Every year various international celebrities pass through the area. One who returns annually is Naomi Campbell, pictured below in the garden of the house where she stayed this year with friends (the Cipriati family). The tiny picture below Ms.Campbell is the retired French soccer
star Zidane, arriving at the airport with his wife and one of his sons. There have been many other "notables."

As for the yacht pictured above, it's Le Grand Bleu, the sixth largest private yacht in the world at just over 370 feet in length. It's been parked about 300 yards offshore near the port since Sunday. Launched in 2000, it has passed through a few hands, including those of the Russian exile Roman Abramovich, coming to rest last year in those of Eugene Shivdler, one of the new Russian oil barons. According to the local press, the yacht is here with eight passengers and a crew of 37. It also carries a 72-foot sailboat, a 68-foot power cruiser, a mini-submarine (primarily for mine sweeping, according to the crew), a helicopter and a Land Rover. The staterooms have fireplaces, so there are also five tons of firewood on board.