Best Time to Visit Montevideo (2026): Why Summer Wins
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The best time to visit Montevideo is in summer, from December to March, when Pocitos and Ramirez are swimmable, and the Rambla is at its busiest.
We spent five days in Montevideo in October 2026, waiting for our Defender to clear the port after four weeks at sea from Germany, then drove east along the coast to Parque del Plata, Punta del Este and Cabo Polonio.
In October, it was around 14°C (57°F) on cloudy days and closer to 20°C (68°F) in Montevideo when the sun came out, so we lived in sweaters and long pants.
In return, we got thinner crowds and quite good hotel rates.
In Summer, you can expect temperatures up to 26°C (79°F)!
Next time, we’ll come back in summer. WHY? Read it below!
VERDICT:
Go in December to March for beach weather and Montevideo’s liveliest street life, with summer humidity and high prices (peak season). Go in October to November or March to April for walking-around weather without the crowds. But expect rain, wind and colder temperatures.
You can see our Montevideo video below about our visit to the city!
☀️ January is Montevideo’s warmest and sunniest month, around 23°C (73°F) average, with roughly 11 hours of sun a day.
🥶 July is the coldest, around 11°C (52°F) average, with as little as 6 hours of sun.
🌧️ Rain is spread across the whole year, with no real dry season. Pack a rain layer whenever you go; in October we had light showers every day or so, but always a lot of wind.
🎭 Carnival (late January to early March) is Montevideo’s biggest event. It runs for about 40 days, is often called the longest Carnival in the world, and its highlight is the Desfile de Llamadas drum parade in early February.
The best time to visit Montevideo: Summary
| Season | Months | Avg. temp | Sun hours/day | Feel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Dec to Feb | 21 to 23°C (70 to 73°F) | 10 to 11 | Hot, humid, beach season |
| Autumn | Mar to May | 14 to 20°C (57 to 68°F) | 7 to 9 | Mild, some wet weeks in April |
| Winter | Jun to Aug | 10 to 13°C (50 to 55°F) | 6 to 7 | Cold, damp, overcast (June cloudiest) |
| Spring | Sep to Nov | 13 to 20°C (55 to 68°F) | 8 to 10 | Warming up, good walking weather |
Montevideo weather by month
| Month | Avg. high |
|---|---|
| January | 28°C (82°F) |
| February | 27°C (81°F) |
| March | 25°C (77°F) |
| April | 21°C (70°F) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) |
| June | 15°C (59°F) |
| July | 14°C (57°F) |
| August | 15°C (59°F) |
| September | 17°C (63°F) |
| October | 20°C (68°F) |
| November | 23°C (73°F) |
| December | 26°C (79°F) |
Summer (December to February): beach season and Montevideo Carnival
We haven’t seen Montevideo in summer ourselves, but we spoke to many Uruguayans during our 3 weeks in the country.
But as we went in spring, summer is definitely the period you want to come since it’s just a lot warmer and you get to enjoy more sun.
Summer is when Montevideo makes sense as a beach city: Pocitos and Ramirez fill up, the Rambla turns into the city’s real social center at sunset as many people sit and enjoy the sunset with their mate, and outdoor parrilla spots stay super busy late.
It’s also humid, and January’s heat is intense in the middle of the day (but still better than when it’s cold and raining).
On a clear summer evening, we’d walk the Rambla from Pocitos to the Punta Brava lighthouse in Punta Carretas for sunset over the Río de la Plata.
If you want warm water rather than city beaches, our best time to visit Punta del Este is in summer.
Summary:
- ☀️ Weather: highs around 26 to 28°C (79 to 82°F) and 10 to 11 hours of sun a day
- 🏖️ Beaches: Pocitos and Ramirez are swimmable, and the Rambla is busiest at sunset
- 🎭 Montevideo Carnival: about 40 days from late January to early March, with the Llamadas parade in early February
- 💸 Prices: the highest of the year, and flights into Carrasco International Airport cost more too
- 📅 Book early: room and flight together, especially for Carnival
🎭 Where we’d stay in Montevideo
We’d choose Ciudad Vieja if you want to walk to the old town and stay close to the Llamadas route in Barrio Sur, and Pocitos if you want a quieter base near the Rambla and the beach. Either way, book as soon as you have your dates.
See where we’d stay in MontevideoAutumn (March to May): summer warmth, fewer crowds
March still feels like summer without the peak crowds or prices, so it’s the month we’d pick if summer does not work for you.
Just check the dates of Tourism Week (the week before Easter), when Uruguayans go on holiday, many offices close and rooms fill up.
Winter (June to August): cold, damp and quiet
With highs around 14 to 16°C (57 to 61°F) and the cloudiest skies of the year, winter is no time for the beach.
If you do come, we’d plan the days around museums, Teatro Solís, and long dinners from our best restaurants in Montevideo guide, and enjoy the lowest prices of the year.
Spring (September to November): our season
In October it was mostly cloudy, with some rain every day or so and a lot of wind, so bring a warm layer even if the forecast looks mild.
In return, the city was calm, uncrowded, and cheaper to sleep in, which makes spring a good second choice if you care more about the city than the beach.
When to visit Montevideo: who should go when
👉 INSIDER TIP: whatever the season, the day of the week mattered more to us than the month. On Sundays, many shops along Sarandí stay closed, and Mercado del Puerto is mostly tour groups, so we’d plan Ciudad Vieja for a weekday.
WHO SHOULD VISIT WHEN:
- Most visitors, beach lovers, don’t mind crowds or prices: summer, December to March. This is the best time.
- Want Carnival specifically: late January to February (Llamadas is in early February), book early.
- Want good weather without peak crowds: March to April or October to November.
- Want a calm, cheaper city break and don’t mind grey days (our trip): October.
- A couple on a short city break: three days in March, April or October gives you comfortable walking weather and reasonable rates, as long as you avoid Tourism Week.
- Budget-focused, don’t need beach weather: June to August: lowest prices, but pack warm layers and expect rain.
Once you’ve settled on dates, see our best things to do in Montevideo guide, or, if you’re tight on time, our one-day in Montevideo itinerary. Packing for a specific season? Our what to pack for Uruguay list breaks it down.
Before you go: a quick checklist
- Pack for rain regardless of season: we wore our rain jacket almost every day in October.
- Pay restaurants with a foreign card rather than cash: it always got us a discount, sometimes up to 15% off the bill (our money in Uruguay guide explains the VAT rules)
- If Carnival (late January to early March) is on your list, book accommodation well in advance
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