The town of just over 100 inhabitants with a spectacular dune system and few technological amenities

In the year 2025, it seems unlikely that there's any place in Spain that still doesn't have an electricity grid or streetlights, but elsewhere in the world, there are plenty of towns where 21st-century comforts have yet to arrive. One of the most beautiful of all these towns, where technology seems like something from another planet, is located thousands of miles across the pond from the Iberian Peninsula. It's none other than Cabo Polonio, one of Uruguay's great gems.

This town, with barely a hundred inhabitants, is located in the southeast of Uruguayan territory, on the shores of the Atlantic. What makes this place so special is not only its lack of technological amenities, but also the impressive natural setting in which it is nestled: Cabo Polonio National Park, one of eight in Uruguay. Furthermore, those who venture into its unpaved streets will be in for more than a few surprises.

Cabo Polonio, the Uruguayan town stuck in time

Uruguay's administrative status is a seaside resort, although it doesn't have the same meaning in Spain: it's used for seaside towns where relaxation is the main focus. In Cabo Polonio, located near Valizas, the few white and colorful houses scattered along its maze of dirt streets enhance the wild feel that characterizes this paradise for nature lovers.

In this town without streetlights or electricity (which provides unbeatable views of the night sky ), the main attraction is the natural enclaves that surround it, from the pristine beaches along the ocean to the Torres Islands , located off the coast and home to large communities of sea lions. From its beautiful lighthouse, you can spot the mammals that inhabit the mini-archipelago, which has also been declared a national park.

Cabo Polonio is said to be named after the ship that sank off its coast in the 18th century. Today, it's one of the few places on the planet that combines such diverse landscapes as wild beaches, unusual rock formations, lush forests, wetlands, oceanic islands, and an extraordinary dune system that transports visitors to the Atacama Desert. All of this makes the town unique in the world and a haven for adventurers.

This remote town is located about 270 kilometers from Uruguay's capital , Montevideo, and to reach it, you have to travel for many miles along one of the South American country's main highways . However, to reach the town itself, you'll need to book a 4x4 that can navigate the imposing dunes.