Things to Do in Montevideo in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Montevideo
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Spring shoulder season means 30-40% lower accommodation prices compared to January-February peak summer, with most beachfront hotels in Punta del Este and Carrasco offering early booking discounts for November stays
- Jacaranda trees bloom throughout the city creating purple canopies along Rambla and in Parque Rodó - the streets actually look their best this month, and locals plan picnics specifically around the blooms
- Beach season is just starting so you get 23°C (74°F) afternoons warm enough for swimming at Pocitos and Ramírez without the January crowds - locals call this 'secret summer' and it's when they reclaim the beaches
- Perfect walking weather for exploring Ciudad Vieja and the Rambla's 22 km (13.7 miles) - mornings are crisp at 14°C (58°F), afternoons hit that sweet spot where you're comfortable in a t-shirt but not sweating through it
Considerations
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable - you might get three stunning days followed by two grey, windy ones. The Rio de la Plata generates sudden weather changes that even locals can't predict, so rigid day-by-day itineraries tend to fall apart
- Ocean water is still cool at around 17-18°C (63-64°F) early in the month, warming to 19-20°C (66-68°F) by late November - swimmable but not the bathtub warmth you'd get in January. Most locals wait until December to properly commit to beach days
- Some coastal restaurants and beach clubs in Punta del Este don't open until mid-December, so if you're planning a day trip expecting the full summer scene, you'll find about 40% of venues still closed or operating limited hours
Best Activities in November
Rambla Walking and Cycling Routes
November is actually ideal for the full 22 km (13.7 miles) Rambla walk or bike ride - you get morning temperatures around 14-16°C (57-61°F) that climb to comfortable 20-22°C (68-72°F) by midday, without the January heat that makes the exposed coastal path exhausting. The jacaranda blooms create natural shade in sections through Parque Rodó and Punta Carretas. Locals are out exercising in the mornings around 8-10am when the light is beautiful and the path isn't crowded. You'll see the city waking up, mate drinkers on the rocks, fishermen setting up - it's Montevideo at its most authentic.
Mercado del Puerto and Traditional Parilla Experiences
November is perfect for the Mercado del Puerto because you can actually enjoy sitting at the outdoor parrilla grills without sweating through your shirt or freezing. The market is busiest Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes when locals pack in for asado. The smoke, the sizzle, the theatre of it - it's peak Montevideo culture. Spring also brings better quality beef as cattle have been grazing on fresh pastures. Worth noting that November is when locals start doing weekend asados at the beach or parks, so you'll see the full meat-cooking culture on display everywhere.
Colonia del Sacramento Day Trips
The hour-long ferry across the Rio de la Plata to this UNESCO colonial town is spectacular in November - the river is calmer than winter months, and Colonia's cobblestone streets are perfect for wandering in 20-23°C (68-73°F) weather. The historic quarter is small enough to cover in half a day, leaving time for a long lunch at a riverside restaurant. November means fewer Argentine tourists than summer months, so you can photograph those Instagram-famous streets without crowds. The jacarandas bloom here too, adding purple against the colonial Portuguese architecture.
Wine Region Tours to Canelones
November is actually harvest season wrapping up in Uruguay's wine region, about 45 km (28 miles) north of Montevideo. The tannat vines are still green, the bodegas are processing the vintage, and you get a working winery atmosphere rather than a sterile tasting room experience. The weather is perfect for cycling between wineries or sitting on outdoor terraces with views over vineyards. Canelones produces 60% of Uruguay's wine but gets a fraction of the tourists that Mendoza or Chilean valleys get. You'll likely be the only English speakers at smaller family bodegas.
Punta del Este Beach Exploration
November is when you get Punta del Este without the summer circus - the famous Brava and Mansa beaches are accessible, the iconic hand sculpture isn't surrounded by tourists, and you can walk Gorlero Avenue without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. The 130 km (81 miles) drive east along the coast is stunning in spring. Water is cool but swimmable by late November, and you get those dramatic Atlantic waves on Brava beach without the lifeguard whistles and packed sand. The contrast between the calm Mansa side and wild Brava side is more obvious when you're not dodging beach umbrellas.
Teatro Solís and Cultural Performances
November is peak season for the Teatro Solís, one of South America's most beautiful opera houses, built in 1856. The spring cultural calendar is packed with ballet, opera, and classical concerts before everything winds down for summer beach season in December-February. The theatre itself is worth visiting just for the architecture - guided tours run daily and take you backstage. Evening performances let you see Montevideans dressed up, which is a different side of this otherwise casual city. The plaza outside is lovely in November evenings when it's cool enough to linger after shows.
November Events & Festivals
Jacaranda Bloom Season
Not an official event but genuinely the most visually stunning thing happening in November - thousands of jacaranda trees bloom throughout Montevideo creating purple canopies along major avenues, parks, and the Rambla. Locals actually plan picnics and photography outings around the blooms. The best concentrations are in Parque Rodó, along Avenida Brasil, and throughout Carrasco neighborhood. Peak bloom varies by weather but typically mid to late November.
Feria de Mataderos Gaucho Festival
While this is primarily a Buenos Aires event, many Montevideo tour operators run weekend trips in November to catch this massive gaucho culture celebration with traditional horseback riding, folk music, and asado. It's easier to access from Montevideo than most people realize - just a ferry to Buenos Aires plus short transit. Worth considering if you're interested in gaucho culture and your November dates align with festival Sundays.