In short
Few cruises start in Montevideo: from late December to March, mostly round trips of 7 to 9 nights to Brazil with a call at Buenos Aires. More often the city is a port of call. Ships berth by the Old City; from Europe, fly via Madrid or via Buenos Aires and the ferry.
Port at a glance
Montevideo
Uruguay
- Where ships go
- Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina
- Usual length
- 6–9 nights
- Terminal
- Port of Montevideo, by the Old City (Ciudad Vieja)
- Getting there
- Carrasco airport, 30–40 minutes by taxi
Good to know: many ships only call at Montevideo for a day, so you cannot board every sailing here — check that Montevideo is listed as a boarding port.
Pick a month in the cruise finder →Why Montevideo
- A relaxed start. The port is small and the Old City is a few minutes' walk away, so you can stroll around until boarding time.
- Summer in the southern hemisphere. From December to March Uruguay is warm, around 25 to 28°C by day, with city beaches all along the Rambla promenade.
- Two capitals in one trip. Buenos Aires is about 2.5 hours away by ferry, and cruises from Montevideo usually call there too.
- To Brazil's beaches by sea. Cruises from here head for Ilhabela, Balneário Camboriú, Ilha Grande and Rio de Janeiro.
What sails from Montevideo
To be honest, not many cruises start in Montevideo itself. Most ships call here for a day on their way between Argentina and Brazil. The main options:
| Route | Typical length | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil and Argentina | 7 to 9 nights | Late December to March | The main option: a round trip calling at Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and the beaches of Ilhabela or Balneário Camboriú; in 2026/2027, for example, Costa Serena sails this way |
| Short cruises | 3 to 5 nights | Rarely, mostly in March | At the end of the season, when ships change routes |
| Montevideo as a port of call | A day in port | December to April | Ships from Santos and Buenos Aires and many Cape Horn voyages call here — but you usually cannot board them in Montevideo. See Cape Horn and Patagonia |
Based on cruise line schedules for 2026–2027. Ships, dates and routes change; always check the specific sailing. The whole season, with all ports: South America cruise season →
Which season to choose
Early summer and the holidays
The first sailings appear towards the end of December, with more in January. The warmest time of year and the holiday season in Uruguay.
Cruises in January →Carnival and the end of the season
Sailings continue until late March. Uruguay's carnival runs for more than a month from late January; March is calmer and less hot.
Cruises in February →The port and terminal
Cruise ships berth in the port of Montevideo, right by the Old City (Ciudad Vieja). Check-in and luggage drop are in the port's passenger terminal, and from the exit it is a few minutes' walk to the Mercado del Puerto and the old streets. Your boarding documents give the exact berth and boarding time.
- A small terminal. Waiting areas, toilets and a café. On days with several ships in port there can be queues, so arrive at your boarding time.
- Take a taxi with luggage. The Old City is close, but cobbles and kerbs are tiring with a suitcase: a taxi gets you to the passenger entrance in a couple of minutes.
- The ferry docks in the same port. The Buquebus ferry terminal for Buenos Aires is also in the port of Montevideo — a few minutes by taxi from the cruise terminal.
Getting there
- From the Netherlands and Belgium. There are no direct flights. The easiest way is via Madrid, where Iberia and Air Europa fly non-stop to Montevideo in about 12.5 hours. Other options go via São Paulo or Buenos Aires.
- From Carrasco airport. About 25 kilometres along the coast to the Old City: 30 to 40 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing app. Buses run to the centre too, but with luggage a taxi is easier.
- Via Buenos Aires. There are more flights from Europe to Buenos Aires. From there the direct Buquebus ferry crosses the Río de la Plata in about 2.5 hours, arriving right in the port of Montevideo; via Colonia del Sacramento with a connecting bus it takes about 4 hours.
- From your hotel. 5 to 10 minutes by taxi from the Old City or Centro, about 15 to 20 from Pocitos or Punta Carretas.
The night before: where to stay
Montevideo is compact, and the port is not far from almost anywhere. The handiest areas:
Old City (Ciudad Vieja)
Historic streets, the market and Plaza Independencia close by, a few minutes from the terminal. The quarter goes quiet in the evening, so take a taxi back.
Centro and Avenida 18 de Julio
The city's main street, with shops, cafés and buses in every direction. 5 to 10 minutes to the port by taxi.
Pocitos and Punta Carretas
Residential districts on the Rambla, with a beach, cafés and waterfront walks. About 15 to 20 minutes to the port.
Carrasco
A leafy district near the airport, with a beach and quiet streets. About half an hour to the port, but a short ride after a long flight.
If you have half a day in Montevideo
Almost everything worth seeing is in the Old City, within walking distance of the port:
- Mercado del Puerto. The old market under an iron roof by the port, where meat is grilled over embers on the Uruguayan parrilla. Go early for lunch: it gets busy by midday.
- The Old City and Calle Sarandí. A pedestrian street leads from the market to Plaza Independencia — about 15 minutes past colonial houses, cafés and bookshops.
- Plaza Independencia. The mausoleum of national hero Artigas, the gate of the old citadel and the Palacio Salvo tower, once among the tallest buildings in South America. The Teatro Solís next door runs guided tours.
- Carnival Museum. The Museo del Carnaval by the port: costumes, masks and candombe drums — a good introduction to Uruguay's carnival.
- The Rambla. More than 20 kilometres along the water, where people walk, run and drink mate. The liveliest stretch is around Pocitos.
The day you come back
The ship usually arrives early in the morning, and guests disembark in groups until about 9 or 10 am. Carrasco airport is not far, but avoid flights before the afternoon: the taxi queue at the terminal and airport security take time. If you are heading on to Buenos Aires, the ferry from the same port is an easy next step.
Practical tips
- Check your boarding port. The same ship often takes on guests in Rio, Buenos Aires and Montevideo. Your booking shows where your cruise starts and ends.
- Wind off the river. Even in summer it can be cool and breezy by the water — bring a light jacket for the evening.
- Money. Uruguay uses the peso; cards are accepted almost everywhere, and US dollars are often taken in tourist areas.
- Language on board. Ships this season are geared to South American guests, with programmes mostly in Spanish and Portuguese.
- Documents. Dutch and Belgian citizens usually need no visa for a short stay in Uruguay, Argentina or Brazil, but rules change — check them for your own passport and for every country on your route.
Or start in Buenos Aires?
Buenos Aires has far more sailings, and it is where Cape Horn voyages begin. Many of them call at Montevideo, so you can still see the city on a port day. Cruises from Buenos Aires →
Common questions
Which cruises leave from Montevideo?
Mostly round trips of 7 to 9 nights to Brazil, calling at Buenos Aires. They run from late December to March; in the 2026/2027 season, Costa Serena is one ship that takes on guests in Montevideo.
Why are there so few cruises from Montevideo?
Most ships call here for a day between Buenos Aires and Brazil. MSC is not starting any cruises in Montevideo in 2026/2027, so the choice is smaller than in Buenos Aires or Rio.
Where is the cruise terminal in Montevideo?
In the port of Montevideo, by the Old City (Ciudad Vieja). The Mercado del Puerto and Plaza Independencia are within walking distance; with luggage a taxi is easier.
How do I get from Carrasco airport to the port?
It is about 25 kilometres, 30 to 40 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing app. Buses also run to the centre, but with luggage a taxi is easier.
Can I get to Montevideo from Buenos Aires by ferry?
Yes. The direct Buquebus ferry takes about 2.5 hours and arrives in the port of Montevideo; via Colonia del Sacramento with a bus it takes about 4 hours.
Where should I stay before a cruise from Montevideo?
The Old City is closest, a few minutes from the terminal. Centro, around Avenida 18 de Julio, is handy for transport, and Pocitos and Punta Carretas are good for waterfront walks, 15 to 20 minutes from the port.
How the club fits in
Cruises from Montevideo that are available in the club work on the same terms as any other route. You choose one way to pay per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price. They do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, you need to have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure.
Not every cruise line can be booked through the club: check the specific sailing in the club's search.
How booking with points works →
Seasons and routes are summarised from cruise line schedules for 2026–2027 and may change; check the current itinerary and terminal information before you travel. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.