Things to Do in Montevideo in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
February Weather in Montevideo
Is February Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak beach season with warm water temperatures around 22°C (72°F) and consistent sunshine between rain showers - locals pack the rambla and beaches on weekends, creating the authentic summer atmosphere tourists miss in winter months
- Carnaval season brings 40+ days of murgas performances, candombe drumming parades, and tablados across neighborhoods - February is when the competition heats up and you'll catch the most polished performances before the late-February finals
- Extended daylight until 8:30pm means you can fit beach time, a late afternoon walk along the rambla, and dinner at a parrilla without rushing - the rhythm of the city shifts to accommodate the heat with later meal times and evening activities
- Accommodation prices drop significantly after January's peak tourist rush - you'll find 20-30% better rates than the previous month while still getting full summer weather, especially in beachfront neighborhoods like Pocitos and Carrasco
Considerations
- Heat and humidity peak in the afternoon, with temperatures feeling closer to 30-32°C (86-90°F) due to 70% humidity - the lack of air conditioning in many older buildings and most buses makes midday travel genuinely uncomfortable
- Afternoon thunderstorms roll in quickly from the Río de la Plata, typically between 4-7pm, and can be intense with strong winds - outdoor plans need flexibility, and the rambla becomes impassable during storms due to wave spray over the seawall
- Many porteños take their main vacation in February, meaning some favorite neighborhood restaurants and shops close for 2-3 weeks - this particularly affects traditional family-run parrillas and cafes in residential areas like Parque Rodó
Best Activities in February
Rambla Cycling and Beach-Hopping Routes
February mornings before 11am offer perfect conditions for cycling the 22 km (13.7 mile) rambla from Ciudad Vieja to Carrasco - the coastal path stays cooler than inland streets, and you can stop at multiple beaches as they fill up. Playa Ramírez, Pocitos, and Malvín each have distinct personalities, with locals setting up mate circles and beach volleyball games. The early timing means you'll catch the city waking up, with fishermen on the rocks and runners completing their morning routines. Bike rental spots cluster near Parque Rodó and offer half-day rates around 600-900 pesos. The route is completely flat and separated from traffic for most of the distance, making it manageable even if you're not a serious cyclist.
Candombe and Carnaval Cultural Experiences
February is when Carnaval reaches its peak intensity, with tablados hosting nightly murga performances and candombe drumming competitions. The authentic experience happens in neighborhood tablados in Palermo, Cordón, and Sur rather than the official Teatro de Verano shows - admission runs 200-400 pesos and performances start around 10pm, running until 2am. The cultural significance is massive here, as murgas use satirical theater to comment on the year's politics and social issues. Walking through Barrio Sur on weekends, you'll encounter spontaneous drumming circles called llamadas, particularly on Isla de Flores and Ansina streets. This is distinctly Uruguayan culture that doesn't exist anywhere else, and February offers the most concentrated schedule of performances.
Mercado del Puerto and Traditional Parrilla Experiences
The combination of February heat and tourist season creates the perfect environment for long, leisurely parrilla lunches in the shade of Mercado del Puerto's iron structure. The market stays cooler than outdoor restaurants, and the early afternoon timing between 1-4pm means you're eating when locals eat, not on tourist schedules. A medio asado (half rack of ribs) with sides runs 800-1200 pesos, and the theater of watching parrilleros work the grills is worth the trip alone. February is also when chivito stands add seasonal variations with local tomatoes at peak ripeness. The key is going midweek when the weekend crowds thin out - Tuesdays and Wednesdays offer the best combination of atmosphere and space to actually sit down.
Colonia del Sacramento Day Trips
The ferry ride across the Río de la Plata to this UNESCO colonial town takes advantage of February's calmer river conditions - winter crossings can be rough, but summer typically offers smooth 1-hour journeys. Colonia's cobblestone streets and Portuguese colonial architecture provide a complete contrast to Montevideo's Spanish grid, and the small-town pace feels even more pronounced in the afternoon heat when everyone retreats indoors for siesta. Fast ferries depart multiple times daily with round-trip fares around 2500-3200 pesos. The timing works perfectly for February because you can explore the historic quarter in the morning, have a long lunch, and return on an evening ferry as temperatures cool. The contrast between cities makes both more interesting.
Punta del Este Beach and Peninsula Exploration
February is the only month when visiting Punta del Este makes sense for non-resort travelers - the rest of the year it's a ghost town, but in summer the beaches, restaurants, and art galleries all operate at full capacity. The 130 km (81 mile) bus journey east takes about 2 hours and costs 600-800 pesos each way. The famous hand sculpture at Brava beach, the contrast between calm Mansa bay and Atlantic-facing Brava beach, and the yacht harbor create enough variety for a full day trip. Going midweek in February means you'll see the infrastructure and energy without the January weekend crowds when porteño families pack every available rental. The bus ride itself offers coastal views that give you a sense of Uruguay's beach culture beyond Montevideo.
Wine Country Day Tours to Canelones
The wine region just 40 km (25 miles) north of Montevideo reaches harvest season in late February and early March, with wineries offering tours through vineyards heavy with Tannat grapes. The proximity means you can visit 2-3 bodegas in a day trip without the marathon driving required in Mendoza or Colchagua. February's warm weather makes outdoor tastings on winery terraces particularly pleasant, especially in late afternoon as temperatures drop. The Uruguayan wine industry remains relatively undiscovered compared to Argentine and Chilean neighbors, so tastings feel more personal and less scripted. Tours typically include 4-5 wine tastings plus cheese pairings for 1200-1800 pesos per person.
February Events & Festivals
Carnaval de Montevideo
The world's longest carnival runs from late January through early March, but February is when the competition intensifies. Murgas perform satirical musical theater at neighborhood tablados every night, while candombe drumming groups parade through Barrio Sur and Palermo on weekends. The llamadas parade in early February features hundreds of drummers in coordinated performances - this is the cultural event of the year for Montevideo. Unlike Rio's carnival, this is deeply political and local, with murgas critiquing government and social issues through elaborate theatrical performances. Tablado tickets run 200-400 pesos, while the main Teatro de Verano shows cost more but offer less authentic atmosphere.
Festival Internacional de Jazz
This jazz festival typically runs in late February or early March at various venues across Ciudad Vieja and Centro. International and regional acts perform alongside Uruguayan musicians in intimate settings - theaters, cultural centers, and outdoor plazas. The festival has grown significantly in recent years and now attracts serious jazz audiences from across South America. Individual concert tickets range from 400-1200 pesos depending on venue and artist. The timing coincides with pleasant evening temperatures perfect for outdoor performances.