About
Welcome to the Punta del Este expats group! We are friendly people from over 20 countries who call Punta del Este and Uruguay their new home. English is the common language of this 20 year-old group. Today, more than 500 families participate. We are single, married, retired or still working, widowed, or a family with children – from newborns to young adults.
Our vision: To bring people together, provide useful information, and contribute to well-being.
History of the Punta Expats
The Punta Expats began in 2006 when Janet Soderberg, a USA expat, started the English Speaking Club of Punta del Este. This small, international group met to talk in English and play cards at Lady Marion Tea & Coffee Store, Parada 10, Playa Mansa. Helping to organize the fledgling group were Nadine Ireland, an Australian expat, and Margret Holzer de Baez, a German national with years of experience in TV, diplomacy, and real estate. These three were the original founding members. Two other active participants assisted: Mirtha Fernández Aphesteguy, an Uruguayan married to a Basque expat; and her daughter Margarita Palatnik, wife of a Turkish expat.
This dedicated team successfully launched the group – already known as the Punta Expats. Soon 30 people were coming to Lady Marion for coffee and conversation.
Change began in 2008 when Nadine returned to Australia, and Janet to the USA. Soon Margret, then Mirtha, started a business; both were busy managing success. The role of coordinator shifted to Margarita, who worked to promote the young group.
In 2010 Silvia Hass, a longtime participant and Argentine expat, was asked to fill in, and did such an excellent job that by 2011 she was asked to become the group’s coordinator. The Expats thrived under Silvia’s leadership. She methodically kept the group connected, especially when meeting locations changed, which happened often. By 2018 monthly meetings were being held at La Marea, Punta Harbor Mansa, and attended by 80-100. The original small group of English-speaking card-players now was a vibrant international community where people could meet, make new friends, and share their lives.
The COVID-19 pandemic of January 2020 brought everything to a standstill. Expat meetings were canceled. Community members lost contact. And, sadly, Silvia died suddenly in early 2022.
By May 2022, as pandemic restrictions eased, hope was expressed for the continuation of the Expats. Joy Kopp, a USA expat with extensive communications, customer service, and management experience and a participant since 2018, volunteered to establish a restart team. The small team set a meeting schedule, arranged a location, and announced the return of the Expats to the few community members who had stayed in contact. The first meeting took place in June 2022 at Picniquería on Av. Italia. To the delight of the restart team, nearly 30 people attended. The Punta Expats were back after a 3-year pandemic suspension.
Word spread rapidly. Attendance grew quickly. In November 2022, a larger meeting space was arranged at Confitería Punta del Este – La 2, Av. Francisco Salazar, Parada 2, Playa Brava. By February 2023, monthly attendance was over 70, with over 100 families participating. In January 2024 attendance reached 100, with nearly 300 families participating. By November 2025, each meeting welcomed 20 new expats, and over 500 families were participating.
Argentines and Brazilians have long relocated to nearby Uruguay and joined the Punta Expats. However, a recent survey showed that Expats were now coming from more than 20 countries, distant as Finland, Australia, Switzerland, and Russia. English is the common language that connects this diverse group. All want to connect, to make new friends, and to be included. The Punta Expats are a vibrant international community where people still come for coffee and stay for conversation.
Join us on the first Sunday of each month, all year at Confitería Punta del Este – La 2. 11:00 am. – 1:00 pm. (11-13). Family and pet friendly.