Uruguay Montevideo

When To Go

Montevideo has cool winters (May - Sep), warm summers and unpredictable springs (Oct - Nov); there are numerous thunderstorms but no tropical cyclones. Rainfall is regular and evenly spread throughout the year. Winters are generally damp, windy and overcast, while summers are hot and humid (range 15-28°C).

For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.

Language

Spanish.

Getting Local Currency

Uruguayan Peso. Notes can be withdrawn from the many ATMs in the city using a UK credit or debit card. Limits may be lower than your UK bank allows. There are also many banks and exchange houses where you can exchange US dollars cash; rates for euros and sterling are frequently poor. In some places US dollars may be accepted as currency.

Time Difference

GMT -3 hours. Usually daylight saving is observed in the summer (GMT -2 hours), from Sep - Oct to early Mar, the date set by presidential decree.

Combines With

Argentina, accessing Buenos Aires from Montevideo by air (50mins), road (8 hours) or ferry (2-3 hours); Brazil, with flights to various southern cities especially in summer; beach time at Punta del Este (2.5-3 hours by road). 

Getting There

Average flight time to Montevideo is 17.5 hours.  There are no direct flights from the UK. Some routes involve a change of plane in Brazil, Europe or the USA. The city is a 2.5 hour ferry ride from Buenos Aires. You can fly there from Foz do Iguaçú (for the Falls) in Brazil.

Key Events

Carnival, 5 days in Feb/Mar, variable. This is the principal fiesta, and takes place Monday -Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Among other joyous activities, Montevideo hosts displays of traditional Afro-Uruguayan dances, called candombé. 
Semana Santa, Easter, variable; Holy week coincides with La Semana Criolla, and festivities include barbecues, folk music and rodeo exhibitions by gaucho cowboys. There is less of a religious element than in other Latin countries.