Carrasco International Airport (IATA: MVD) is about 15 km east of the city center, in the suburb of Carrasco in the department of Canelones. The airport is linked to the city center via major four-lane divided arterial roads. Route 101 (the national highway running by the airport) terminates at a roundabout where it connects to Avenida de las Americas, which in turn connects to Avenida Italia, which runs all the way to Centro.
People used to complain all the time about Carrasco's dilapidated and overcrowded old terminal. In 2009, Carrasco Airport opened a beautiful new terminal and expanded to eight gates (four jetways, four remote parking spots). Unfortunately, to pay for the $134 million terminal, the government sold a lot of bonds backed by a USD $40 ($19 for flights to Buenos Aires) airport fee charged to all departing travelers.
Based on where you are from, some airlines already include this fee in the price of the ticket (in the United States it is mandatory), but if your airline did not already charge you the fee, you will be required to go to the airport fee counter (next to the check-in counters) and pay the fee before you can leave the country. You should be able to look at a fare breakdown of your ticket to see if this fee has been included (look for code WU in the tax lines).
Buses depart right outside the airport to Terminal Tres Cruces, just north of many major sites downtown (easily walkable to hotels). Airport transfer by bus costs UYU51 (October 2015). Catch any bus that says 'Montevideo' just outside the departure doors at the post marked 'bus'. Once aboard a bus, keep your eye out for the 'Tres Cruces' bus terminal if you intend to get off here, because the bus doesn't actually stop in the terminal, but just outside. If you are heading to/from Punta Carretas take the DM1 bus (http://www.copsa.com.uy/images/DM1.jpg)
By remise Rate from airport to Downtown around UYS 800/950 (Uruguayan Pesos) or USD 40/45 (Us dollars) (http://www.bybremises.com), (http://www.airporttransfer.com.uy).
The airport taxi to the center costs UYU1500 or USD70; metered and prepaid prices are about the same as of September 2012. Payment in USD is possible, but using UYU works out to be about 10% cheaper.
During weekdays one can take the normal radio taxi from the city to the airport for around 800 UYU, but be careful because some cab charge extra for carrying his bag and the other problem that the vehicles are small because using a security screen between the front and back .
Another possibility for travelers who are heading to Montevideo from nearby Buenos Aires is to take the high-speed ferry operated by [url=http://www.buquebus.com]Buquebus[/url]. A one-way ticket, tourist class, costs about UYU 2250 (February 2015) and takes just over 2 hours. There are several boats a day. The ferry arrives in the Ciudad Vieja district of Montevideo, situated very close to downtown - a cab ride to a hotel in El Centro or Pocitos is much shorter and cheaper than from the airport.
Ferry service to Buenos Aires is also available via the same company Buquebus or ColoniaExpress [url=http://coloniaexpress.com]]via Colonia. The ticket can include the bus from Montevideo to Colonia, it is cheaper and about 1 to 2 hours longer than the direct crossing. You can buy a bus ticket, about 188 Uruguyan pesos from the city terminal (Terminal Tres Cruces) to Colonia, 2 to 3 hours, stay a couple of hours or days, which is highly recommended, and then buy a ferry ticket in Colonia to Buenos Aires whicht takes about 1 hour. If you book well in advance via internet (MasterCard works, even if it takes a couple of attempts) you can get the Express service (1 hour) for around 500 UYU.
Bus to [[Salto[/url]] - 6 hour direct transfer is 640 pesos with Agencia Central SA (June 2012) - several departures throughout the day/night.
For those leaving from [wiki=fec8c8f7fccdb0825811a7ad2cb2e0a0]Porto Alegre[/wiki], [wiki=42537f0fb56e31e20ab9c2305752087d]Brazil[/wiki], there are two options: one that enters Uruguay via [wiki=36513dd8ca75f6c51e711fdf999ac7f8]Chuí[/wiki] and another via [wiki=8fe934dee430f393853f7dabe6460ee0]Jaguarão[/wiki]. For both, you start by taking the route BR-116 up to [wiki=e880ddbe34b0e2363398ae1cd5cb9483]Pelotas[/wiki]. Next, if you want to visit Chuí, the southernmost city of Brazil, or the Santa Teresa Fortress or even see the beautiful beaches of the coast of Uruguay, then, at Pelotas, take the route BR-392 to [wiki=a66a1c4d379e69cf95b031249f2895aa]Rio Grande[/wiki] and next the route BR-471 all the way to Chuí. Takes about 6 hours and 30 minutes to go from Porto Alegre to Chuí. On June 6th of 2010 there were 5 tolls between those cities, a total of R$ 34.60 (it's important to note that they only accept Brazilian Real). Around 30 minutes after crossing the border, you can visit the Santa Teresa Fortress. An option is to stay a night at [wiki=8f7a027f7e30bef280e1d2b24f68eafe]Punta del Diablo[/wiki], in case you are too tired to keep driving to Montevideo. From Chuí to Montevideo, just stay in route 9. Takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes. Again, there are 3 tolls between Chuí and Montevideo, each cost UYU 60.00. In this case, they do accept foreign money. However, it's strongly recommended that you pay in Uruguay Pesos, as they charge a lot more if you pay in Real or Dolar.
If you want the fastest route to Montevideo (about 2 hours shorter than the first one), you should cross the border at Jaguarão. To reach this city, just stay in route BR-116. After that, take route 8 to Montevideo.
Montevideo is not a large city and it boasts a very efficient public transportation system so getting around is not difficult at all. If you are not bashful about your Spanish, feel free to ask people which bus route you need to take to get to your destination as it can be the most effective and cheap option (UYU $51 as of 2015). Alternatively if you know some Spanish there are two websites similar to Google Maps that are useful: Cómo ir [url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/aplicacion/como-ir]]and MontevideoBus [url=http://www.montevideobus.com.uy/[/url].] In addition there are both iPhone (Bondi [url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bondi/id951463514?mt=8[/url])]and Android (SoloBus [url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pisco.solobus&hl=en[/url])]apps to help navigate the bus system.
It is useful to know that if you choose to ride a bus, upon boarding you will pay either the driver or the assistant who sits on the right-hand side of the bus (door-side) a few seats from the entrance. There is a small device that will dispense your receipt, make sure you hold on to it for the duration of your ride as sometimes company supervisors board buses checking for these receipts (making sure no one is riding unauthorized). If you are unsure where to get off you can always ask the driver or assistant to let you know when your stop is coming up and they'll be happy to oblige. Just try to remain visible so they can tell you (though if the bus gets full and you've moved to the back they'll yell out the street name). It is also important to note that you do not need to have the exact fare as the driver or the assistant carry change. Of course, expect disgruntlement if you pay with a large bill.
The city's central terminal is called Tres Cruces. Aside from being a full-fledged mall, it sports companies with fully-equipped tour buses that can take you anywhere in Uruguay and even into neighboring countries. Expect UYU $179.00 one-way to Colonia, about 2 to 3 hours. Efficient and on time. All destinations, timetables and hours are available online [http://www.trescruces.com.uy/horarios.php[/url]. Any bus from the airport marked "Montevideo" will reach Tres Cruces in about half an hour and cost a bit over 30 pesos. It helps to ask the bus driver to inform you when to get off because the Tres Cruces terminal building is rather nondescript from some sides and you may miss it.
You can use a Remise a bit like a taxi but more professional and you can ask the company to send you a driver in your language, for example: you can rent it for an hour and the cost is approximately U$S16. Here is the website http://www.bybremises.com
Taxis are plentiful but not too cheap (gasoline is expensive in Uruguay). It helps to know a little Spanish. A ten-minute cab ride costs about UYU100. Taxis are metered and upon the end of your ride you are shown a chart depicting distance and cost (though on some vehicles this chart will be on the window between you and the driver). Generally there are two fare schedules. The first is for Monday-Saturday from morning to mid-evening. The second fee schedule is for Sundays and late at night, and is slightly more expensive. Tipping is not expected, but you might round up to an even number to be polite. It is also not uncommon to sit on the front.
Car rental is cheaper if booked ahead but be aware that places like the airport and the ferry terminal charge higher rates than the same agencies in other locations around the city. A few phone calls and a cheap taxi ride to a location other than the air or sea ports will save you half the rate for the same car at the same company.
Driving in Montevideo is not too difficult, especially for those visitors from Europe or developing countries that lack strict lane enforcement and have lots of roundabouts. (Visitors from countries with few roundabouts and strict lane enforcement, like the United States, will find it baffling at first.) Road traffic in Montevideo is amazingly light outside of rush hour, and even during rush hour is relatively good compared to, say, North American cities of similar size.
It is not too hard to find parking in most of Montevideo. Indeed, if you do not see a "Reservado" sign, or red and white stripes or red paint on the curb, you can safely assume that one is allowed to park at any particular curb.
The only major obstacle for visitors is that from Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 6 pm, there is a "Estacionmento Tarifa" parking management system in place in much of the Ciudad Vieja and Centro. However, the exact method of properly paying for parking under this system is quite mysterious, as the city government's relevant Web page does not explain it very well at all, and the local tourist information offices are unable to explain it clearly in plain English when asked in person. The safer thing to do is to park outside of the tariffed area and walk in.
The not-so-big capital of a small country that is not often in the international news, and while not exactly a world center of gourmet gastronomy, Montevideo is a city where one can eat wonderfully and relatively cheap, with plenty of local character (no, it's not the same cuisine as in Argentina), yet not too exotic for most tastes.
* Meat - Uruguay is renowned for its meats, and Montevideo has many parrillas where they are grilled up to perfection. Although both Uruguay and Argentina are large exporters of meat, especially beef, and their meat is renowned for its top quality, they still keep the best for themselves, while also being masters in the art of grilling it. So, only going there can you eat the best meat and taste for yourself how outstandingly good it is. Steaks (bifes) are typically served medium-rare, so if you like them well-done, be sure to specifically ask for that (bien cocido).
* Chivito - This is the local sandwich, made with meat (skirt steak, not goat as Argentines might guess from the name), slices of hard-boiled eggs, and vegetables. It can be served al plato (on a plate), which means it is going to take a fork and knife to eat it. Like a hamburger, it is traditionally served with fries, but it is tastier, cheaper and much bigger than a hamburger. Several guidebooks (correctly) call the chivito a "cholesterol bomb." After eating one or two of these delicious monsters, you will begin to understand why so many elderly Uruguayans have pot bellies (not from eating at McDonald's).
**Marcos Chivito is one of the best places in Montevideo to get these tasty treats, as well as La Mole, and some Carritos. An excellent choice is to try chivitos in Bar San Rafael.
*Milanesa - similar to Wiener Schnitzel, this is a common meat dish in most of South America, including Uruguay. It consists of a thin slice of veal, chicken, or sometimes beef. Each slice is dipped into beaten eggs, seasoned with salt, and other condiments according to the cook's taste (like parsley and garlic). Each slice is then dipped in breadcrumbs (or occasionally flour) and shallow-fried in oil, one at a time. Some people prefer to use very little oil and then bake them in the oven as a healthier alternative. Sometimes it may include a fried egg on top.
* Fresh Pasta and Fresh Gnocchis - they are everywhere on the menus, with all types of vegetarian or meat sauces... usually a cheap, filling and delicious option! Be sure to try cappelletti Caruso, a dish whose exact origin is controversial, but definitely invented by a Uruguayan chef decades ago, consisting of cappelletti (tortellini) in a delicious mushroom cream sauce.
* Desserts - In Uruguay, desserts are huge and plentiful. There is dulce de leche (a kind of creamy caramel, a totally addictive threat to diabetics, coming in several versions: lighter, darker, softer, thicker, plain or with vanilla or other flavorings, etc.) on almost everything and stores that sell nothing but caramels. Many places sell nothing but dessert, so pick the one with the best looking pastries and cakes and enjoy!
* Churros - Find them for sale at the Parque Rodó. Try the sweet versions - they come with sugar on top, or filled with chocolate, dulce de leche or cream filling - or the cheese-filled ones.
* Pizza - There are pizzerías all around Montevideo. Most make square pizzas, a traditional form in Uruguay. Muzzas (mozzarella) are most popular. The local style of dough is sometimes soft and airy as bread, but still crusty, and not merely "baked," but wonderfully gratinated with the excellent Uruguayan cheese (see below). Look for pizza places that are fullest of local customers - often, it's the simplest nondescript places that serve the best pizza, and it can be really, really good!
* Fainá - It's a mixture of corn flour and milk, which is baked in the pizza oven. Quality is varible among pizzerías, most delicious is the thin or de orilla ("from the edge") part which is crunchier!
* Cheese - Yes, just cheese. Uruguay has a traditional and strong dairy industry, and although the varieties are mostly the better-known European ones, such as mozzarella, Gouda or Parmesan, quality is usually superb. As in France, just dropping by a supermarket and buying some bread, butter and cheese can make a surprisingly cheap and delicious meal.
And yes, there are also restaurants specialized in many international cuisines, as well as some gourmet places run by talented chefs - as well as American fast food chains.
K Fe [url=https://www.facebook.com/espaciokfe]Corner]of Juan Paullier and Maldonado, phone: 224025887 Cordon area: You will feel like in Lavapiez in [[Madrid[/url]], Friedrichshain in [wiki=ee1611b61f5688e70c12b40684dbb395]Berlin[/wiki] or a [wiki=7c885b9c7c703a77befcabeea54944d5]Melbourne[/wiki] back alley. Enjoy a coffee in the afternoon or a home cooked meal (always veggie option) in this unique rotiseria cultural in the hart of the city. Clothes, design, exhibition, roots, dub, dubstep, urban art. Open from 12 pm to 2 am.
*Café Bacacay [http://www.bacacay.com.uy] - located very close to Plaza de la Independencia, right across the Teatro Solis and open all day for a coffee or a bite to eat, this café/restaurant offers a variety of very tasteful dishes going from traditional to more innovative cuisine. Service was excellent.
*La Pasiva - This restaurant chain is found all over the city, and specializes in beer, hot dogs, and chivitos.
*Le Corte - Classic restaurant (not fast-food) in the Ciudad Vieja, with lovely decorations and great food.
* Mercado del Puerto - This touristy area houses a dozen or so restaurants. Most offer grilled meat, and you can find good paella, as well. It is usually quite busy - just find an open seat to be served.
*Montecristo - Located in Pocitos, this restaurant offers innovative dishes and is housed in a castle-like building that used to be the house of an alchemist.
*Sidewalk cafes - Cafes abound in the city center along the pedestrian streets heading towards the Ciudad Vieja.
* Estancia Del Puerto - Featured on Anthony Bourdain's 'No Reservations'. It's an All You Can Eat meat bar.
*Cru - Considered Montevideo's finest restaurant, with a good sampling of Uruguayan New Cuisine.
*Don Pepperone - With several locations around the city, a good bet for anyone seeking a taste of an American-style chain. This Italian-American themed eatery offers a wide variety of pizza as well as other pasta dishes.
Art Hostel placed at the very centre of Montevideo, + B&B, WIFI, BICYCLES, KITCHEN.
*New hostel open in July 2009. Clean and spacious. Breakfast, towel, Internet and Wifi included. Free use of the kitchen.
* Albergue Juvenil, Canelones 935, +598 2 908-1324. Nice [wiki=8b5d3380a647c76b2946ae489b2e6f62]HI-Hostel[/wiki] close to the center. With kitchen and internet access.
* Unplugged Hostel, Luis de la Torre 930, +598 2 712-1381 [url=http://www.unpluggedhostel.com].]Located in Pocitos, one of the nicest and safest neighborhoods of Montevideo, just a few blocks away from its famous coast. Dorms from US$12
* Rambling art deco relic with large rooms and linens as old as the building. Private bath, fans, TVs, elevator.
* Ciudad Vieja Hostel, Ituzaingó 1436, +598 2 915-6192 [url=http://www.ciudadviejahostel.com[/url].]Located near the historical heart of the city and in the middle of Montevideo’s nightlife. Free breakfast, internet, kitchen access. Dorms from US$11.
*Red Hostel, San Jose 1406, +598 2 908-8514 [url=http://www.redhostel.com/[/url].]A hostel set in a renovated colonial home built in 1912. Typical hostel traffic, but very nice staff who like to hang out with their friends late at night on the hostel roof.
* Spléndido Hotel, Bartolome Mitre 1314, +598 2 916-4900 [url=http://www.splendidohotel.com.uy[/url]..]Rumor has it that this hotel was originally built by a former president at the turn of the 20th century for his mistress. The hotel is located near the Plaza de Independencia and the Teatro Solis. Many of the best restaurants, music, bars, and sightseeing spots are literally within a few steps of the front door. Prices from US$11-38.
*Pocitos Hostel, Av. Sarmiento 2641, +598 2 7118780 [http://www.pocitos-hostel.com[/url]. In nearby Pocitos, a beach suburb ,is a purpose built hostel with free breakfast, internet, kitchen, fireplace, backyard and the most friendly and helpful staff. They have bicycles for hire, don´t miss the bike ride from Pocitos to Carrasco (45 minutes) or Pocitos to Escollera, Old Town, 20 minutes. Dorms from US$ 12
*Breakfast & wifi included. Bike rental.
*This is a brand new hostel in the design district with cheap dorms and a central location. The owners, two girls from Montevideo, are super friendly and helpful. Free breakfast (with homemade bread!), free bike rental, free Wi-Fi, and an art studio (you´re supposed to do a painting before you go). Very clean. English and some Portugues is spoken.
*Intimate art-deco style inn, similar to a boutique hotel, in the Ciudad Vieja (Old City). Just three guest rooms, all with private bathrooms. Rooms are large with queen-size beds and antique furniture. There's a cosy living room and a fully-equipped modern kitchen. The owners specialise in orienting guests to the city with a personalised check-in, handouts and daily recommendations of things to do.
Nice and clean city hotel with a very good breakfast. The hotel is located parallel to Avenida 18 de Julio, hence very central. Staff is friendly and speaks Spanish, English and some German. The hotel boasts a pool, gym, free-to-use Computers in the lobby, and free Wi-Fi on the rooms.
* Four Points Sheraton, Calle Ejido 1275, +598 2 901-7000 [url=http://www.starwoodhotels.com/fourpoints/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1576].]Close to one of Avenida 18 de Julio. In walking distance of Plaza Independencia and Ciudad Vieja. Has a pool and a small gym. Rooms are quite nice, but without balconies and you can't open any windows (a shame in the summer time). Friendly staff and an excellent restaurant.
* Fully Equipped Short Term Apartments, Calle 21 Septembre in Pocitos, +598 99 600-455. Very central and in a good neighborhood. Perfect solution if you plan to stay for several days and want to have the comfort of your own home.
* Ibis Montevideo, Calle La Cumparsita 1473, +598 2 413-7000 (fax: +598 2 413.6245, email: ) [url=http://www.ibishotel.com/gb/hotel-3539-ibis-montevideo/index.shtml[/url].]A 5-minute walk from the old town, this chain hotel has simple but comfortable rooms and is bookable over the internet..
* Radisson, Plaza Independencia 759, +598 2 902-0111 (fax: +598 2 902-1628, email: ) [url=http://www.radisson.com/montevideouy[/url].]Located heart of Montevideo's financial and commercial district. Features include a pool, gym, high-speed internet, and views of the city from the Restaurant Arcadia, located on the 25th floor.
*Casa Sarandi Guesthouse [url=http://www.casasarandi.com/[/url]](email: info@casasarandi.com) Intimate art-deco style guesthouse with just three guestrooms. All rooms are large with private bathrooms, great beds with imported linens and antique furniture. There's a cosy living room and a fully-equipped modern kitchen. The owners specialise in orienting guests to the city with a personalised check-in, handouts and daily recommendations of things to do. Room with ensuite bathroom 89 USD per night.
*Nh Columbia Hotel, Rambla Gran Bretana 473, +598 2 916-0001 [http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotels/uruguay/montevideo/nh-columbia.html[/url]. This hotel is near the Ciudad Vieja with views of the Rambla. A modern hotel with a huge breakfast and free internet access, it has plenty of parking and a friendly staff.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*