El Nido – Gated community in Punta del Este
Key facts
| Location | Route 10, km 170, between Manantiales and José Ignacio (Maldonado) |
|---|---|
| Developer | Donato Group |
| Master plan | Gómez Platero |
| Area | About 66 hectares (163 acres) |
| Lots | Nearly 400 · from about 1,000 m² (10,760 sq ft) |
| Wave pool | Wavegarden Cove · final stage of construction (October 2026) |
| Planned amenities | Beach club, tennis, padel, fitness center, spa, pools, kids' club, skate park, lagoon, trails |
| Building | Any style, subject to review by the community's architecture studio |
About El Nido
El Nido is a gated community of nearly 400 lots on Route 10, at km 170, between Manantiales and José Ignacio, built around a Wavegarden wave pool. It is developed by Donato Group, owned by the Schabsis family, who have held land in the area since the 1970s, with a master plan by Gómez Platero.
Spread over about 66 hectares (163 acres), the plan favors low density and landscape: native plantings, ponds and a linear park, streets designed for bikes and golf carts, and wood-and-stone common buildings with pitched roofs and verandas. Lots start at about 1,000 m² (10,760 sq ft); every home design is reviewed by the community's architecture studio, with no mandatory style.
The wave pool is a Wavegarden Cove, the same system already operating in Brazil, with more than twenty wave types for beginners and advanced surfers. It is in the final stage of construction (October 2026) and, once it opens, will be the first in Uruguay. It is for owners and their guests, under rules set by the community.
Planned amenities include a beach club south of Route 10, tennis, padel and other sports courts, a fitness center, spa, outdoor and indoor pools, a kids' club, skate park, stand-up paddle lagoon, walking trails and a community garden, with security around the clock.
Manantiales is about 6 minutes away, José Ignacio 15 and the Punta del Este peninsula 25. Our team can advise you on the lots for sale and the community's terms.
Distances
| Manantiales | about 5 km (3 mi) · 6 min |
|---|---|
| La Barra | about 9 km (5.6 mi) · 12 min |
| José Ignacio | about 15 km (9 mi) · 14 min |
| Peninsula (Avenida Gorlero) | about 21 km (13 mi) · 26 min |
| Laguna del Sauce airport (PDP) | about 36 km (22 mi) · 45 min |
By car, approximate and without traffic: allow more time in January and February.
Frequently asked questions
Where is El Nido?
On Route 10, at km 170, between Manantiales and José Ignacio. It is about 6 minutes from Manantiales, 15 from José Ignacio and 25 from the Punta del Este peninsula.
Is the wave pool open yet?
It is in the final stage of construction (October 2026). It is a Wavegarden Cove, the system already operating in Brazil, and once it opens it will be the first wave pool in Uruguay.
How many lots does El Nido have, and how large are they?
Nearly 400 lots over about 66 hectares (163 acres), most of them about 1,000 m² (10,760 sq ft) and some larger.
What can be built at El Nido?
There is no mandatory style, but every design is reviewed by the community's architecture studio. Minimum home size, timelines and HOA fees are set by the community bylaws, which are worth requesting and reviewing before you buy.
Who can surf in the wave pool?
Owners and their guests, by reservation and with a guest limit per home; guests pay per session. Terms for renters are set by the community bylaws.
Last updated: October 2026
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Details & Amenities
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