Travel Guide to Montevideo, Uruguay

Capital City of Uruguay - Montevideo

Montevideo (population 1,338,408) is likely the most laid-back capital city you will encounter in South America, but don´t think that means boring. Fronted by a beach promenade the pace is slow yet full of all the city-like vigor you would expect such as: nightclubs, hostals, five-star hotels (Plaza Independencia in Ciudad Vieja) , art gallerys, casinos (Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza & Casino Oceania), upscale shopping malls (Punta Carretas), outlying residential neighborhoods and the expected stready stream of busses, cars & locals rushing about. View photos

Best Time to Visit Where To Eat Where To Stay City Map

Upscale Pocitos Neighborhood of Montevideo

The city sits on the northern bank of the Río de la Plata (River Plate in British English) – river of silver – and is a 3 hour ferry ride on the popular Boquebus from Buenos Aires, Argentina. The ferry terminal is in the Ciudad Vieja (Old City) district of Montevideo – a short cab ride from hotels and restaurants.

Chivito Sandwich - National Dish of Uruguay

Montevideo is the southernmost city in South America and home to murgas (theatre with mixture of comedy and music), Candombe (popular style of drumming), Tristán Navaja (weekend market), futbol (4th place World Cup 2010) and chivitos – steak sandwich with bacon, ham, mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, olives, lettuce, egg and garlic mayonnaise that is the national dish of Uruguay.

Fountain in Montevideo (Plaza Matriz)

Meat lovers will love Uruguay in general. A trip to the Mercado del Puerto (market building or port market) in Montevideo near the cruise ship pier is a must see not only for the funky architecture but for the massive grills everywhere with huge slabs of beef, sausages galore, chicken, pork… bring your appetite!

Not to be outdone by their neighbor to the north – Brazil – Montevideo hosts one of the longest crnivals in the world beginning in February or March depending on the year. Night after night of partying and dancing in the streets!

The Montevideo Carrasco International Airport (IATA: MVD) is only 15 km (9 miles) from the city. A taxi to downtown will cost approximately $12 USD. Terminal Tres Cruces is the main bus terminal with busses to all areas of the country (as well as neighboring countries such as Argentina and Brazil) complete with 24-hour restaurants (sit-down parilla & McDonalds) as well as a food court on the second level with restaurants (such as Canton Chino with Asian food), cafes, shops, ATMs and money exchange.

The food court is located on the upper-level and open from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information read Travel in Uruguay – Tres Cruces Bus Station.

Best Time to Visit

Montevideo is pleasant year-round with a temperate climate. There is approximately 35 inches of rain annually – spread throughout the year; there is no rainy season. Normally the coldest month in Uruguay is June and the warmest month January.

During the summer (verano in Spanish) months December through March temperatures range between 21 and 27 degrees C (70 – 80 F). During winter (invierno in Spanish) – June through August – it can be chilly. Temperatures at this time fluctuate between 6 and 14 degrees C (42 – 57 F)

Where to Stay

Expensive

Name: Sheraton Four Points Hotel
Area: In-between Pocitos & Ciudad Vieja
Address: Ejido 1275
Website: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/
Name: Punta Trouville ApartHotel (hotel suites & self-service apartments)
Area: Pocitos Neighborhood
Address:Francisco Vidal 726
Website: http://www.puntatrouville.com.uy/

Midrange

Name: Belmont House Hotel
Area: Carrascos Neighborhood
Address: Av. Rivera 6512
Website: http://www.belmonthouse.com.uy/
Name: Continental Hotel
Area: Downtown Central Area
Address: Paraguay 1373, Entre 18 de Julio y Colonia
Website: http://www.hotelcontinental.com.uy/

Cheap

Name: Hospedajae del Este
Area: Central
Address: Soriano 1137
Website: None. Read a Review
Name: Che Lagarto
Area: Plaza Independencia
Address: Plaza Independencia 713
Website: ttp://www.chelagarto.com/index.php/en/hostel-in-montevideo.html

Where to Eat

Expensive

Name: Ristorante Panini (Italian)
Area: Ciudad Vieja
Address: Bacacay 1339 (Bacacay and Sarandí)
Website: None. Read a Review
Name: Las Brasas (steak & seafood)
Area: Central
Address: San José 909
Website None. Read a Review

Midrange

Name: Any One of Numerous Parrillas at Mercado del Puerto (Port Market)
Area: By the Port
Address: Perez Castellano and Piedras
Website: http://www.mercadodelpuerto.com.uy/
Name: Bar Hispano
Area: El Centro (Downtown Central Area)
Address: San José 1050
Website: None.

Cheap

Name: Buffet Atlantida
Area: El Centro (Downtown Central Area)
Address: San José 1020
Website: None. Read a Review
Name: Euskal Erria
Area: Centro
Address: San José 1168
Website: None. Read a Review