Best time to visit · Montevideo · Uruguay
The best time to visit Montevideo
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Marcelo Campi, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
The best time to visit Montevideo is from November to March, when the weather is warm enough for the Rambla and the beaches and the city is at its liveliest, with carnival in January and February. March, April and November are quieter and still pleasant. Winter (June to August) is cold, damp and windy but cheap.
Key facts
- Best months
- November–March
- Shoulder season
- April and October
- Warmest month
- January (avg high 28°C (82°F))
- Coldest month
- July (avg high 14°C (57°F))
- Rainiest month
- October (~8 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- May–September
Seasons
Montevideo has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons: warm summers from December to March, cool, damp and windy winters from June to August, and rain spread fairly evenly through the year. Wind off the Río de la Plata often makes it feel colder than the thermometer suggests.
December–February
Summer
Warm, sunny weather, busy beaches and carnival; many Montevideans leave for the coast in January.
March–May
Autumn
Mild and settled at first, cooling by May, with the wine harvest and the Semana Criolla gaucho festival.
June–August
Winter
Cool, damp and windy, with lows near 6°C; low hotel prices and a quiet, local feel.
September–November
Spring
Blustery at first, then warm and sunny by November with roses in bloom in the Prado.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°C | 17°C | 7 | 23°C | 14.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| February | 27°C | 17°C | 7 | 23°C | 13.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| March | 25°C | 15°C | 7 | 22°C | 12.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 22°C | 12°C | 7 | 19°C | 11.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 18°C | 9°C | 7 | 16°C | 10.3 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| June | 15°C | 7°C | 7 | 13°C | 9.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| July | 14°C | 6°C | 7 | 11°C | 10 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| August | 16°C | 7°C | 7 | 11°C | 10.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| September | 18°C | 8°C | 7 | 13°C | 11.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| October | 21°C | 11°C | 8 | 15°C | 13 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 24°C | 13°C | 7 | 18°C | 14 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 27°C | 16°C | 7 | 21°C | 14.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Carnival opening parade along Avenida 18 de Julio (usually late January) |
| February | Desfile de Llamadas — candombe drum parade through Barrio Sur and Palermo (usually February); Murga and comparsa contests at the Teatro de Verano (through February) |
| March | Grape harvest events in the Canelones wineries (usually March) |
| April | Semana Criolla — gaucho rodeo and folk music at the Rural del Prado (Holy Week, March or April) |
| August | Noche de la Nostalgia — retro-music parties citywide (24 August) |
| September | Expo Prado — national livestock and agricultural fair at the Rural del Prado (usually September) |
| October | Día del Patrimonio — free entry to historic buildings (usually early October) |
| December | Paper-throwing from office windows in the Centro (last working day of the year); New Year's Eve fireworks along the Rambla (31 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in May–September, and the sights are quietest in May–September.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Spring | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Montevideo?
The best time to visit Montevideo is from November to March, when the weather is warm enough for the Rambla and the beaches and the city is at its liveliest, with carnival in January and February. March, April and November are quieter and still pleasant. Winter (June to August) is cold, damp and windy but cheap.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Montevideo?
Usually in May–September. Cooler and quieter, with crisp days; a good time for museums and long lunches.
+What is the rainiest month in Montevideo?
October, with about 8 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Montevideo get?
The warmest month, January, averages highs of 28°C (82°F) and lows of 17°C (63°F).