Montevideo, Uruguay 🇺🇾 Gringo's Guide

Worthwhile to visit or waste of time?!

Note from BowTiedGlobe:

This guide was co-written by me and Lufe, a Brazilian friend who spent a good amount of time in Uruguay, crossing the country from North to South during his bike trip from South Brazil to Patagonia. He liked it so much that, to this day, he is dating a Uruguayan girl. He'll take the lead now :)

If you’re torn between the tranquility of a small town and the vibrant life of a big city, Montevideo, Uruguay might be the place for you.

So warm up some water, prepare your mate, and settle in, because today I’m here to break down everything you need to know about Uruguay’s wonderful capital city!

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Montevideo, Uruguay 🇺🇾

Population:

• City proper: 1,380,000

• Metropolitan area: 1,900,000

Montevideo is the capital and largest city of Uruguay. Approximately one-third of the country's total population lives here.

Weather:

Generally speaking, the climate in Montevideo is favorable. Average temperatures in summer and winter never get too extreme. In summer, the average temperature ranges from 77ºF to 96ºF, and in winter it’ll fall somewhere between 50ºF to 59ºF. 

That said, it’s a good idea to be prepared for a few warmer days; temperatures can reach 100ºF during the summer months, although this isn’t particularly common (and it’s nothing that a refreshing walk along the rambla — Montevideo’s coastline promenade — can't fix!). 

Montevideo doesn’t have a clearly defined rainy season, but it does get cloudier during its winter months. 

For the best weather, I recommend visiting between the months of November through April.

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Why Visit Montevideo, Uruguay?

If — like me — you’re a more laid-back individual, Montevideo will be a good fit. The city has a lot to offer without being overwhelming. And, because it’s relatively small and safe, it’s easily explored on foot or by bicycle. 

There are cultural activities to suit all tastes, from Tango to traditional Afro rhythms like Candombe to Murga shows, which are certainly worth experiencing at least once in your life. 

The nightlife and the variety of bars are other strong features of this city.

…and we can't forget about the delicious Uruguayan parrilladas, which offer a wide variety of some of the best meat in the world.

For those who are drawn to the culture of European cities, Montevideo is one of Latin America’s better options; the Uruguayan capital has a wide range of museums, theaters, music concerts, and parks.

Another fun fact is that marijuana is legalized nationwide for recreational use, something that isn’t particularly common in Latin American nations.

Finally, it's worthwhile to stop by your nearest bakery to try Uruguay’s famous bizcochos, which make for a great, quick snack.

Tango in Uruguay

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How To Get to Montevideo, Uruguay

In total, there are 15 direct flights to Montevideo. Six of these are from Brazilian airports. 

Here are the some of the main connections:

• Panama City

• Madrid

• Miami

• Buenos Aires

Since Buenos Aires is right next to Montevideo, another alternative is to fly to Buenos Aires and take a boat (BuqueBus) from Buenos Aires to Montevideo. The ferry trip is comfortable and will take about two hours.