Montevideo · Month comparison

December vs February

February ranks #1 overall vs December at #3. Carnival peak — the most elaborate Carnival in the world by participants, with murga and candombe every night.

Montevideo December — historic and modern cityscape of the Uruguayan capital in summer

December

#3 of 12 months

Best match

Summer opens — beaches fill, outdoor asado culture peaks, and pre-Carnival energy builds.

  • Full summer conditions: 26°C, 9 hours of sun, beaches in regular use from mid-month
  • Christmas and New Year celebrations are outdoor, community-centred, and unlike anywhere in South America
Montevideo February — Palacio Salvo, the iconic art deco tower of the Uruguayan capital

February

#1 of 12 months

Best match

Carnival peak — the most elaborate Carnival in the world by participants, with murga and candombe every night.

  • Carnival spans 40+ days: murga satirical choirs, candombe drumming, and comparsa parades fill every neighbourhood
  • Desfile de Llamadas (Calls Parade) — the world's largest candombe procession through Barrio Sur and Palermo
FactorDecemberFebruary
Weather score
9
9
Value score
6
6
Crowd score
6
6
Events score
7
10
Atmosphere
9
10
Avg high temp26°C27°C
Monthly rain70mm65mm
Daily sunshine9hrs8.5hrs

December trade-offs

  • Prices climb toward their seasonal high from mid-December onward
  • New Year weekend sees significant price spikes and accommodation scarcity across the city

February trade-offs

  • Hotels book out early and rates peak — plan at least two months ahead for the parade weekend
  • Street noise from drum rehearsals runs late into weeknights across central neighbourhoods
Scores compare months within Montevideo. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →