Montevideo Department · Uruguay
Montevideo travel guide
Montevideo is a city in Montevideo Department, Uruguay, home to about 1,303,000 people.
- Best months
- November
- Nearest airport
- MVD17 km · Carrasco General Cesáreo L. Berisso International Airport
- Currency
- UYUUruguayan peso
- Time zone
- America/Montevideo
About
About Montevideo
Montevideo is the capital and largest city of Uruguay. As of the 2023 census, the city proper has a population of 1,287,452, making up about 36.8% of the country's total population, in an area of 201 square kilometers (78 sq mi).
There are several theories about the origins of the city's name. The "monte" part is generally considered to be the hill where the Cerro fort is now. According to one theory the hill was named "Monte-VI-D-E-O(este)", which translates to Mountain six (VI in Roman numerals) From East to West.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Montevideo
See
The Independence square is a symbol of Montevideo and lined by several prominent landmarks.
- Plaza Independencia
- Palacio Salvo
- Mausoleo de Artigas
- Palacio Estévez
- Torre Ejecutiva
- Edificio Ciudadela
- Puerta de la Ciudadela
- Museo del Tango de Montevideo
- Mercado del Puerto
- Catedral Metropolitana
- Old Sepharadi Synagogue
- Teatro Solís
Do
- Estadio Centenario
- The Rambla
- Tango
- Estadio Gran Parque Central
- Montevideo Comics
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Montevideo to stay in
Many hotels in central Montevideo are dated and badly maintained, but this does not apply to all hotels there. The ones near Plaza Independencia are of high standard and popular among foreign dignitaries. Districts to find good hotels include Parque Rodó, Punta Carretas, Pocitos, Buceo, Punta Gorda and Carrasco. In Uruguay it is not uncommon that hotel rooms are priced in American dollars. If you're traveling on a shoestring it's advisable to pick hostels or hotels that are simpler equipped but better located and cheaper. Hostels generally do not have private rooms, only dormitories.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
When to go
The best time to visit Montevideo
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Montevideo are November. January is the warmest month, with average highs of 28 °C; April is the wettest, with about 102 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Montevideo: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Carrasco General Cesáreo L. Berisso International Airport (MVD), about 17 km from the city centre in a straight line; Capitan Corbeta CA Curbelo International Airport (PDP, 100 km) is also within reach.
Getting around
Buses are the only form of mass public transit available in town, so it's likely you'll use them at some point. STM transit cards are free, give discounts on the many types of fares and allow for buses integration: U$29 for 2 buses in 1 hr or U$44 for any number of buses in 2 hr, against U$36 for the normal fare paid in cash. You can get yours at the Abitab shop on the ground floor of Tres Cruces Terminal, or in any other agreed post. Abitab minimal top-up is of U$100.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
MVD · Carrasco General Cesáreo L. Berisso International Airport
PDP · Capitan Corbeta CA Curbelo International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Montevideo
Eat
Potatoes, rice, salad and such is usually ordered separately. If you just order e.g. a steak as it is stated in the menu and you will literally only be served a steak. Portions are usually large. In areas frequented by tourist restaurants often offer menus with several courses. Cover charges (cubierto) are frequent in Montevideo's restaurants. They are usually around U$50.
Drink
There's a wide choice of places in Montevideo for going out for a drink. However, before midnight there is very little going on, and while bars are open before that you might be the only patron. In the old town it is not hard to find cafés and dance and music locals where you can experience the local culture. The street Bartolomé Mitre in the pedestrian area of the old town has plenty of cafés and bars to choose among, but prices tend to be higher than elsewhere in Montevideo. Many establishments have a happy hour and by good weather you can enjoy your drink outside.
Stay safe
Montevideo used to be safer before, however it is still a safe city compared to e.g. Brazilian cities. Pickpocketing occurs downtown so backpacks and handbags should preferably be worn so that you can see them. Robberies are known to happen, including "smash and grab" attacks where the robber smashes a car window, grabs a bag or other item from the seat, and runs. The most secure neighbourhoods, according to a report from a realtor magazine, are Buceo, Pocitos, Punta Carretas and Parque Rodó, followed by Colón, the downtown, Sayago and Conciliación. The old town outside the pedestrian area is considered dangerous after dark. This also applies to the beach promenade outside the old town.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Montevideo: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Montevideo?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Montevideo are November. January is the warmest month, with average highs of 28 °C; April is the wettest, with about 102 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Montevideo?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Carrasco General Cesáreo L. Berisso International Airport (MVD), about 17 km from the city centre in a straight line; Capitan Corbeta CA Curbelo International Airport (PDP, 100 km) is also within reach.
What currency is used in Montevideo?
Uruguayan peso (UYU).
Nearby
Destinations near Montevideo
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.