If you are planning to visit Uruguay and you are going to visit its capital city you should get information about the best areas to stay in Montevideo .Neighbourhoods such as Centro, Ciudad Vieja, Pocitos, Malvín, or Carrasco are just some of the most recommended.
If you have ever been told that Montevideo , the capital of Uruguay , is a tourist jewel, you are not exaggerating.This cosmopolitan city has the best conditions to position itself as one of the places with the highest quality of life and has an interesting tourist offer.
With 30 kilometers of beautiful coasts, Montevideo stands as one of the 10 most visited cities in Latin America .Every year, as a city, it does not stop surpassing itself in tourist flow and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South America.
The best areas to stay in Montevideo
To choose where to sleep in Montevideo it is necessary to know the particularities of its neighborhoods and areas.
1.Ciudad Vieja
If there is one thing tourists love in Ciudad Vieja, it is to feel that they are in a place caught between the colonial past and the modern present Ciudad Vieja is the historical center of Montevideo It is one of the favorite neighborhoods among tourists to stay in Montevideo.
Decades ago it was a purely residential area, but now it is full of buildings with offices of ministries and banks, as well as premises with cultural galleries, shops, discos and restaurants .
This neighborhood is ideal to visit historical sites of Montevideo like the Puerta de la Ciudadela, the Iglesia Matriz, the Cabildo de Montevideo, the Catedral Metropolitana and the Museo de Arte Precolombino Indígena.the look in the area is lost among these architectural works of Italian baroque style and luxurious and metallic towers of 20 or more floors.
It is a point of forced visit for the tourists .One of its main attractions is the security system : the neighborhood has a security system with more than three thousand video surveillance cameras, installed in the streets and squares of greater concurrence.
Visitors feel comfortable to be photographed with freedom in any corner of Ciudad Vieja The neighborhood is designed with accesses to be completely dedicated to walking and contemplating its tourist attractions. There are also bike tour services if the agenda is tight to know Ciudad Vieja
– Accommodation in the Old City
2.Montevideo Centro
This area is ideal for those who are going to the city for the first time.
To stay in Montevideo Centro is also to have access to Avenida 18 de Julio , the main artery of Montevideo, in total there are 3 kilometers full of shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, art exhibitions, banks, supermarkets, in addition to Plaza la Independencia , a tourist reference of Montevideo.
During the day, the area registers a high traffic of people and vehicles. It is a neighborhood with different lodging options , from the most expensive to the most economic ones. Due to its location, all the transport lines go through this area. However, after 10:00 pm there is a shortage of transport units.If you want to avoid taking a taxi, there are alternatives for renting a vehicle.
Without a doubt, it is a safe neighborhood , but not to exaggerate: no more showing your camera hanging from your neck without care or showing your latest generation cell phone everywhere.
At night, there are bars and traditional clubs that mark the nightlife A good tip is not to walk around downtown Montevideo after 9:00 pm, as it is deserted, with very little traffic, but without the typical daytime hustle and bustle.
– Accommodation in Montevideo Downtown
3.Barrio Sur/Palermo
These two neighbourhoods have something in common: both form the most traditional circuit of Montevideo, where the Afro-Uruguayan legacy of candombe is shared in , a cultural manifestation declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
If you visit the area in February, you can enjoy the Parade of the Calls , a celebration that takes place every year and attracts thousands of tourists.
But not everything is carnival in the South/Palermo neighbourhoods. Outside February it is a quiet area , without so much noise, with streets where there are predominant manifestations of urban art with drawings on the walls alluding to the culture of the camdombe.
In honour of Carlos Gardel there is a street and a bust of the singer in a square that also bears his name.In addition, the zone cohabits between the existence of old houses of French architecture, bohemian bars , supermarkets and restaurants.However, outside the carnival season it is not advisable to be opulent, nor to exhibit valuable objects such as jewelry or high-end cameras. The collective transport lines identified with the numbers 137, 149, 407, 522 pass directly through the area and circulate until 9:00 p.m. After that time, taxis are plentiful.
– Accommodation in Barrio Sur/Palermo
4.Buceo/Malvín
Buceo is a privileged neighbourhood in Montevideo for several reasons: it is located in on the banks of the Rio de la Plata , it has one of the biggest shopping centres in the Uruguayan capital, besides in the area there are supermarkets, cinemas, restaurants, discos and bars .
And as if that wasn’t enough, it is connected to the most relevant avenues of the city (Avenidas Italia, Rivera, Ramón Anador and Luis Alberto Herrera), so the collective transport is no problem.
It is considered one of the most complete neighborhoods in offer of tourist goods and services in Montevideo, in fact, is the preferred one for young people and families for summer vacations, not surprisingly it is one of the most sought after for to stay in Montevideo.
The security of the neighborhood is not a sensation, it is part of the daily landscape.its quiet streets, full of greenery and its proximity to the famous Rambla de Montevideo, make Buceo a very attractive tourist spot for locals and strangers.
Nearby is the Malvín neighborhood.Besides benefiting from the amenities of its neighboring neighborhood Buceo, the area of Malvín – upper middle class with high residential buildings – boasts its proximity to the beaches Punta Gorda and Malvín , both of fine sand and calm waters.
– Accommodation in Diving/Malvín
5.Carrasco
Exclusive This word defines the Carrasco neighborhood in Montevideo, a little more than 15 kilometers from the city center, this area is located on the coast of the Rio de la Plata. It,s considered the most luxurious residential area in Montevideo.
In this neighborhood there are large houses designed with French architecture, residential towers and a thriving commercial area for tourists, and also for its residents who do not exceed 30 thousand people.
Its streets are wide and very green.Many families prefer to stay in this area for its security and comfort , because it is an elegant neighborhood where you can find cinemas, bars, supermarkets, shopping centers and large urban spaces to walk and relax away from the noise and traffic of the center.
It is a neighborhood that was born by inspiration of foreign migrants who, upon their arrival during the colonial era, transformed the area into a tourist pole that today remains, with stores of the most recognized international brands in the world.
In addition, at present the neighborhood has a gastronomic offer of high cuisine Many tourists cross from Argentina the Rio de la Plata to taste exquisite dishes of national and international cuisine.
Another attraction of this neighborhood is the multiple options of beaches located a few kilometers away.There are more than 30 beaches, all of them of fine and white sand, characterized by a small number of tourists. It is easy to get there: by taxi or from the bus lines identified with 104, D1 and D11. After 8:00 pm the public transport traffic decreases.
– Accommodation in Carrasco
6.Parque Rodó
The Parque Rodó neighborhood has something distinctive that is not found in other areas of Montevideo: its lush greenery on any of its streets and avenues have made it known as the natural lung of Montevideo
And it is not for less.
Those who wish to stay in Montevideo close to nature, the Parque Rodó neighborhood is an alternative without waste, the park provides the neighborhood with many trees, different species of birds, rustic bridges, trails and small waterfalls.
This neighborhood also has tourist sites like the Fountain of the Athletes, the Artificial Lake, the Fountain of Venus and the Monument to Florencio Sanchez, Uruguayan journalist and playwright.
The area is also sought after by the families because the children can play in a castle with a medieval structure that serves as a recreation site and children’s library.the pedal boat ride is an emblem of this neighborhood, where there are also several mechanical attractions and services of pizzerias, breweries and pony rentals for the youngest members of the house.
Rodó Park offers tourists the attraction that within its jurisdiction is a microdistrict called Barrio Jardín , a residential area built in relief under the influence of European architecture in the early twentieth century.
– Accommodation in Rodó Park
7.Pocitos
After Carrasco, Pocitos.si Carrasco is the opulent neighborhood of Montevideo, Pocito is the wealthy upper-middle class area where residential buildings are combined with old houses and a wide commercial network of goods and services available for tourists.
Pocitos is a residential neighborhood well valued by tourists for being safe, family oriented, quiet and with access to supermarkets, restaurants and two shopping centers, not to mention its proximity to the Pocitos beach . 2 kilometers of beach, characterized by strong waves and large extensions of shore.
The rambla of Pocitos is very famous to appreciate the sunset among family or friends, or simply to walk and contemplate the bay of the Rio de la Plata.The tourist has to choose a extensive gastronomic variety in the place, both national and international dishes.
The proximity of Pocitos with other areas is a privilege.From Pocitos the tourist is near Rodó Park, Tomás Gomensoro Square, Pittamiglio Castle, the National Museum of Visual Arts, San Juan Bautista Church and besides the Ombu, a peculiar and huge gaucho tree that does not go unnoticed.
Pocitos is known as the neighbourhood in Montevideo with more night life , without being a nuisance for those who prefer to rest after a long day at the beach.As you can see there are many reasons that make Pocitos one of the best areas to stay in Montevideo .
– Lodging in Pocitos
8.Punta Carretas
Punta Carretas is a neighborhood located at south end of Montevideo .This neighborhood, located on the edge of the Rio de la Plata coast, is highly sought after for the healthy coexistence of its inhabitants, the gourmet cuisine of its restaurants and the experience of visiting the Punta Brava Lighthouse, unique in all of Montevideo.
It is considered a upper-middle class neighborhood which is close (1.7 km) to Rodó Park and General Artigas Boulevard.From clean and wooded streets , is an area where tourists can enjoy the golf club or a tour of the former summer house of the poet Juan Martin Zorrilla, now converted into a museum open to the public.
The area is one of the safest , in fact has land and coastal surveillance.There the visitors can visit its emblematic commercial center that gathers stores of recognized brands, food fairs, commercial boutiques and artistic galleries of national production.
Punta Carretas is different from other neighborhoods because it has a boulevard that does not have a beach on the Rio de la Plata.
Another reference point in the area is the Philomène Café , a place known as , the most Parisian corner of Montevideo , where they offer a gourmet menu with dishes prepared by hand, and served in an atmosphere typical of a large house of the nineteenth century, very French style.
– Accommodation in Punta Carretas
9.Tres Cruces
The location of the Tres Cruces neighborhood is an unparalleled advantage in Montevideo. 8 de Octubre Avenue, Artigas Boulevard and 18 de Julio Avenue, one of the main avenues in the city, converge in the area, where bars, cafes, restaurants, shopping centers, ministries and banks coexist
From one of these three avenues tourists can easily move to the north, east and downtown.On the , strategically located , the Tres Cruces terminal operates in the area, where transport units leave for all the towns in Uruguay and beyond its borders.
Tourists who choose to sleep in Montevideo have the proximity of public and private hospitals, and can also visit historic sites in this neighborhood as the Obelisk in honor of the Constituents of 1830, the flag monument, the Plaza de la Democracia and the popular Pope’s Cross.
Tres Cruces is a neighborhood with low insecurity indexes Although due to its proximity to downtown Montevideo, it is not advisable to walk very long distances at night, in any case, it is better to walk along the main roads.
It is a very popular neighborhood for tourists who come back to Montevideo and escape from the hustle and bustle of the city center, but with the advantage of being very close to a vast commercial and gastronomic offer .
– Accommodation in Tres Cruces
Accommodation in Montevideo
The options for sleeping in Montevideo are as varied as the areas that make up the Uruguayan capital, where tourists can find luxury hotels, whose elegant rooms captivate with their exclusive views of the Rio de la Plata or the seafront.
These five-star hotels offer services such as a spa, gym, Internet connection, outdoor swimming pool, terrace recreation areas and even indoor theater rooms.The offer of accommodation in Montevideo also includes comfortable three- and four-star hotels, modest hostels at affordable prices, as well as colonial houses with adequate structures with basic services for the comfort of visitors.
With all this diversity, accommodation in Montevideo depends largely on two key factors: the time of stay and the budget to know the city.Regular travelers recommend that in the summer (between December and March) is the best season to vacation because of the mild climate, whose average temperature is 24 centigrade.
But there are those who prefer Montevideo with the cooler climate (between May and August) .
Anyway, whether it is winter, summer, autumn or spring, Montevideo registers an annual average of 900 thousand visitors, with an average stay of 5 or 6 days according to official records.
Which is the best area to stay in Montevideo?
In the south of Uruguay, there is the small and versatile city of Montevideo, considered the Latin American capital of culture and the cradle of tango, candombe and Uruguayan murga.There you can exercise, walk for a while or simply sit and contemplate the beautiful view.
If you are looking for a place to stay in Montevideo, in Best Locations Hotel we recommend two areas as dissimilar as they are charming. Pocitos has been considered the fashionable neighborhood of Montevideo , the center of nightlife, entertainment and shopping.in Pocitos you will also feel the tranquility and security of a modern neighborhood where you can have a pleasant stay. Punta Carretas, also known as Punta Brava, is a traditional neighborhood of Montevideo with that genuine air and that historical trace that its museums, parks and popular fairs show.the emblematic Lighthouse of Punta Brava is a symbol of the neighborhood and a point of orientation for the fishermen.
If you are interested in knowing where to sleep in Montevideo you may also be interested in knowing where to stay in Punta del Este, where to stay in Buenos Aires, where to stay in Santiago or where to stay in Rio de Janeiro
Pocitos and Punta Carreras, the best areas to stay in Montevideo
Pocitos
It is a residential neighborhood that has become one of the best areas to stay in the Uruguayan capital.It is located on the coast of the Rio de la Plata, a river formed by the union of the Paraná and the Uruguayan.Its architectural landscape shows modern residential buildings of 10 to 15 floors, combined with some old houses preserved since the foundation of the neighborhood.
In this area, you can find everything you are looking for because it offers tourists a wide range of entertainment options, fun and leisure.
Pocitos Beach is the favorite place of locals and travelers, who enjoy lying under the sun, take a bath in the waters of the Rio de la Plata or drink a mate watching the sunset from the Rambla.Pocitos Beach is so called because during the 19th century, the washerwomen used to make small wells when washing clothes. A few minutes away from the beach, there is a wide variety of hotels and hostels for all tastes.
If you are looking for a good time, in Pocitos there is a great variety of cafes, restaurants and barbecues specialized in national and international cuisine.In the evening, you can walk around the area and find the most varied pubs and discos to listen to live music, dance or drink a few beers.
When it comes to shopping, you can visit the Montevideo Shopping, located between the residential areas of Pocitos and Puerto del Buceo, minutes from the airport and the historical centre.It is the busiest shopping and entertainment centre in the city, with over 200 shops, cinemas and theatres, a casino and areas dedicated to children. It has been awarded many times by the International Council of Shopping Centers.
In the neighbourhood you can also buy souvenirs and 100% Montevidean products, as its streets hold fairs where you can find everything from fresh fish to antiques.’, ‘
As a religious attraction, there is the Church of San Juan Bautista de Pocitos, located in the center of the neighborhood and popularly known as the Church of Pocitos.There, marriages are frequently celebrated and occasionally, you can listen to concerts of the Montevideo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Hotels in Pocitos
Punta Carretas
Punta Carretas or Punta Brava is a neighborhood in Montevideo, which borders on the east with the neighborhood of Pocitos.Its name comes from the most prominent rocky point in the south of the coast and it is another of the most recommended areas to stay in Montevideo, because it has a traditional style and the tranquility that the Uruguayan capital offers.
The accommodation offer in Punta Carreras is not as wide and varied as the one in Pocitos.Here, 4 and 5 star hotels predominate for visitors with more economic capacity.
The neighborhood is formed by the streets Bulevar Artigas, Avenida Julio María Sosa, Avenida Sarmiento, Juan María Perez, the Rambla Mahatma Gandhi and the Avenida Gonzalo Ramírez.
At the beginning of the 20th century, a prison was opened in this neighborhood, which delayed the commercial growth of the area, which at that time, was considered a marginal population.Later on, it was consolidated as an upper-middle class neighborhood, with the disappearance of the penitentiary and the construction of a commercial center in the same place.
One of its main attractions is the famous Punta Brava Lighthouse, built in 1876, with a height of 19 meters and a great luminous range that serves as an orientation point for fishing boats.
On the other hand, the Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, also known as the Parish of Punta Carretas, is another point of interest for locals and visitors.It has an exhibition hall where temporary exhibitions, concerts, readings and other activities are presented. It is located in front of the sea, in Tabaré Street, and in that same street, the passers-by can have an encounter with the local history.
A mixture of nature and shopping, travellers will find it at the popular Villa Biarritz clothing fair, which opens every Tuesday and Saturday morning at the Park of the same name, located between the districts of Punta Carretas and Pocitos.A wide range of shops with local and international brands, banking services, food courts, gym and spa, movie theaters and much more.as a point of interest, a few meters from Punta Carretas Shopping, is the Club de Golf de Uruguay.
