Best Time to Visit

Uruguay offers something for visitors throughout the year, and the ideal time to plan your trip depends on your specific interests and preferences. The seasons are reversed from the Northern Hemisphere, and so the ideal time to visit is during the summer months (October to March). That’s when the beach resorts are in full swing, and the sun shines. It is never cold or wet, but it can be chilly in the winter. Here's a breakdown of what to expect during the different seasons:

January-February: These are the warmest and driest months to visit Uruguay. These months are the best to enjoy horse riding, wine tasting, and participating in the Montevideo Carnival.

March: The tourists usually leave the beaches by this time, and restaurants are closing now. However, while most tourists have left, the Montevideo Carnival continues (starting as early as Late January), and the Fiesta de la Patria Gaucha festival in Tacuarembo.

April-May: Although it's officially autumn, the waters around Uruguay are warmest now, making it the perfect time to visit Uruguay's beaches and snorkelling offshore.

June-September: Winter is here, but it's a fantastic time for whale watching (June to November) and to focus on Uruguay's cultural activities.

October: Uruguay's spring season is here now, and the beaches attract visitors again. Now's the time the whales come into the country's coast to breed – making this an excellent time for whale watching.

November: The weather is warm and pleasant. The beaches are relatively quiet, and you can spot southern right whales off the coast.

December: Uruguay vacations begin in December. This is when the country attracts holidayers from neighbouring Brazil and Argentina and globetrotters from around the world. Hotel prices begin to spike in December – especially around Christmas and New Year.