Hotels in Montevideo

Montevideo: River, Rambla, and the Old City Grid

Montevideo sits on the northern shore of the Río de la Plata, 270 km west of Buenos Aires by ferry. Founded in 1724 as a Spanish fortified port, the city now holds roughly 1.4 million residents — about one-third of Uruguay's entire population. The Ciudad Vieja (Old City) anchors the western tip of a narrow peninsula, where neoclassical facades line Calle Sarandí and the Mercado del Puerto serves grilled parrillada under a 19th-century iron roof. East of the old grid, Centro and Cordón offer mid-century apartment blocks and independent cafés, while Pocitos and Punta Carretas draw longer-stay visitors with beachfront promenades and a converted prison turned shopping mall.

Where to Stay in Montevideo

Hotels concentrate in Ciudad Vieja, Centro, and the Rambla corridor stretching 22 km along the waterfront. Business travelers favor Centro for proximity to the legislative district. Leisure visitors often prefer Pocitos, 5 km east of Ciudad Vieja, for calmer streets and direct rambla access.

Practical Tips

• Getting around: Buses (STM network) cover the city for under USD 1; taxis and app-based rides are widely available.
• Currency: The Uruguayan peso is standard; USD accepted at many hotels but at less favorable rates.
• Carnival: Montevideo hosts South America's longest carnival season — roughly 40 days each February — centered on Avenida 18 de Julio.
• Ferry access: Buquebus and Colonia Express connect Montevideo to Buenos Aires in 2–3 hours.