Month guide · Montevideo · Uruguay
Montevideo in January
What January is really like in Montevideo: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Felipe Restrepo Acosta, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
January is one of the best months to visit Montevideo. Expect average highs of 28°C (82°F), lows of 17°C (63°F), about 7 rainy days and roughly 14.3 hours of daylight. Peak summer: warm, sunny beach days on the Rambla, though many locals leave for the coast; carnival starts late in the month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 28°C (82°F) / 17°C (63°F)
- Rainy days
- About 7
- Daylight
- About 14.3 hours
- Sea temperature
- 23°C (73°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in January
January is the warmest month in Montevideo: days average 28°C (82°F) against a yearly average high of 21°C (70°F), and nights fall to about 17°C (63°F). Rain falls on roughly 7 of its 31 days. Compared with December (27°C (81°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 27°C (81°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 05:47
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 20:01
- Daylight
- About 14.3 hours
- Sea
- 23°C (73°F)
Autumn (March–May). Mild and settled at first, cooling by May, with the wine harvest and the Semana Criolla gaucho festival.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 4 for crowds (the peak is January at 4) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in January
- Carnival opening parade along Avenida 18 de Julio (usually late January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Waterfront · Pocitos
The Rambla
Walk or cycle the stretch from Punta Carretas lighthouse to Pocitos at sunset, when the whole city seems to be out.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Kids
- Active
Architecture · Centro
Palacio Salvo
Completed in 1928, the eclectic, tower-topped Palacio Salvo was for a time the tallest building in South America and remains the city's emblem.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Views
- History
- Iconic
Park · Parque Rodó
Parque Rodó
Come on a Sunday afternoon, when the park fills with families and the fair stalls are out.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
Viewpoint · Punta Carretas
Punta Carretas lighthouse
The white lighthouse on the rocky tip of Punta Carretas, built in the 1870s, can be climbed by a narrow spiral stair for a view along the coast to Pocitos and the Centro.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
The sea averages 23°C (73°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Montevideo.
What to pack
For highs near 28°C, lows near 17°C and 7 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Montevideo?
One of the best months to visit Montevideo, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are February–March and November–December. Compare every month.
Montevideo in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Montevideo?
It is one of the best months to visit Montevideo. Peak summer: warm, sunny beach days on the Rambla, though many locals leave for the coast; carnival starts late in the month.
+How warm is Montevideo in January?
Average highs are around 28°C (82°F) and lows around 17°C (63°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Montevideo in January?
Expect rain on about 7 days of the month.