Multi-Day Trips from Montevideo

October 20, 2026

Montevideo works best as a two or three day city, and there is no set multi-day circuit that starts and ends in the capital. Longer trips are built from day trips, overnight stops and coach or ferry links, so this page sets out realistic ways to stretch a visit to four days or more. Prices are in Uruguayan pesos (UYU) unless stated, and about 40 UYU buy US$1. Coaches leave from Terminal Tres Cruces at Bulevar Artigas 1825, which is open 24 hours, and there are no passenger trains to Colonia, Punta del Este or Rocha.

A four-day southern Uruguay plan

Day 1: Ciudad Vieja, Palacio Salvo, a grill lunch at Mercado del Puerto and sunset on the Rambla. Day 2: the city’s museums, plus a winery visit at Bodega Bouza or another winery just outside the centre. Bouza needs advance booking. Day 3: take a coach to Colonia del Sacramento and stay the night. COT’s timetable lists about 2 hours 45 minutes and UYU 579 one way. Day 4: coach back to Montevideo, or cross from Colonia to Buenos Aires with Colonia Express. There is no ferry from Montevideo to Colonia, so the coach is the only direct route.

Adding the Atlantic coast

From Montevideo a coach to Punta del Este costs UYU 466 and takes about 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes, according to COT. From there the coast continues into Rocha department. Cabo Polonio has no road access for private cars or ordinary buses. Travellers stop at the Ruta 10 terminal and ride a 4x4 truck over the dunes, which costs UYU 470 round trip. Tents and pets are not allowed. Winter, from June to August, closes many coastal hotels and restaurants, so this extension suits summer best, when you need to book ahead.

A capital pair: Montevideo and Buenos Aires

Buquebus runs a direct fast ferry between Buenos Aires and Montevideo, listed at about 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes, although some aggregators show up to 4 hours on other sailings. It docks at the port terminal on Rambla 25 de Agosto de 1825. Fares are tiered by class and date, so there is no single price. The direct sailings carry foot passengers rather than vehicles, and you need your passport. Buquebus has been seeking a new terminal concession, so check the terminal before you rely on it. Colonia Express sells a bus plus catamaran combination via Colonia, taking about 4 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours 45 minutes in total. The operators’ pages are Buquebus and Colonia Express .

Carnaval timing

The inaugural Carnaval parade is on Thursday 21 January 2027, and the Desfile de Llamadas is on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 February 2027. Hotel rates rise around those dates, so book early.

Money and safety

Hotels charge 0% VAT to non-residents who show foreign ID. Restaurants cut VAT from 22% to about 13% for card or electronic payment, and the cut runs to 30 April 2027. Street crime happens in Montevideo, and the UK government advises against walking downtown or around the port alone, especially at night and at weekends. Use a taxi or ride-hailing car after dark.

Where to stay

Rooms for a longer stay can be compared on Booking.com . Base yourself in Montevideo for the first two or three nights, then move on by coach.