Things to Do in Uruguay in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Uruguay
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak summer beach weather without the January crush - temperatures hit 25°C (77°F) most days, perfect for Uruguay's Atlantic coast beaches like La Pedrera and Punta del Diablo before the absolute madness of January arrives. Water temperature sits around 20-21°C (68-70°F), which is actually swimmable if you're not expecting Caribbean warmth.
- Christmas and New Year energy without European winter prices - Montevideo's Ciudad Vieja comes alive with street performances and impromptu milongas (tango gatherings) as locals gear up for summer holidays. You'll catch the festive atmosphere but accommodation costs typically run 30-40% less than peak January rates.
- Wine harvest season aftermath means bodega visits are relaxed and personal - the March-April harvest is done, winemakers in Carmelo and Canelones actually have time to talk, and you'll get longer tastings at places like the Tannat vineyards. Tours typically cost 800-1,500 Uruguayan pesos per person with fewer crowds than autumn harvest season.
- Optimal conditions for estancia visits in the interior - the countryside around Tacuarembó and Rocha is green from spring rains but not muddy, temperatures are comfortable for horseback riding (not the 35°C/95°F+ of January), and you'll see gauchos preparing cattle for summer sales. Day visits run 2,500-4,000 pesos including asado lunch.
Considerations
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable - that 51 mm (2.0 inches) of rain across 10 days means you might get three perfect beach days followed by two days of wind and drizzle. The Atlantic coast gets particularly moody, and locals will tell you December is when the weather can't quite decide if it's spring or summer yet.
- Peak season pricing kicks in after Christmas week - if you're traveling December 24-31, expect accommodation costs to jump 50-80% compared to early December, especially in Punta del Este and José Ignacio. Restaurants add holiday surcharges (cubierto navideño) of 10-15% during this week.
- Many Uruguayans take vacation the last two weeks, creating a split personality month - early December feels sleepy with businesses closing early or operating on reduced schedules, while post-Christmas everything is packed with domestic tourists. Book any coastal accommodation for December 26-31 at least 8-10 weeks ahead or you'll find slim pickings.
Best Activities in December
Cabo Polonio coastal reserve hiking and sea lion watching
December is ideal for the 7 km (4.3 mile) coastal walk from the drop-off point to Cabo Polonio lighthouse because temperatures are warm but not scorching, and the sea lion colonies are particularly active before January crowds arrive. The lack of roads means you'll take a 4x4 truck through dunes, and the lighthouse area offers views of hundreds of sea lions lounging on rocks. December weather means you can actually walk the beach comfortably - January heat makes midday hiking pretty miserable. The village itself has no electricity grid, giving you that end-of-the-world feeling that's become harder to find.
Colonia del Sacramento cobblestone walking tours and river beaches
This UNESCO World Heritage town is stunning in December because the jacaranda trees are blooming purple throughout the Barrio Histórico, and you can combine morning cobblestone wandering with afternoon swims at Playa Ferrando on the Río de la Plata. The Portuguese colonial architecture looks particularly photogenic in December's golden-hour light around 7:30-8pm. Water temperature is around 22°C (72°F), warmer than the Atlantic coast. The 70% humidity actually works in your favor here - it's never uncomfortably hot for walking, unlike January when midday exploration becomes a sweaty ordeal.
Montevideo Mercado del Puerto and Ciudad Vieja food exploration
December is excellent for Montevideo's food scene because locals are in festive mode and the Mercado del Puerto is operating at full energy with parrilladas (grill restaurants) serving Christmas-season specialties. The market's iron structure provides shade during the warmest part of the day, and you'll find the best chorizo, morcilla, and asado de tira in the country. Ciudad Vieja's bar scene picks up significantly in December with outdoor seating becoming practical - try the medio y medio (half white wine, half sparkling wine) that's a Montevideo tradition. The 25°C (77°F) temperatures mean evening walks along Rambla are comfortable, not cold like they are in winter months.
Punta del Diablo and La Pedrera beach town relaxation
These fishing-village-turned-beach-towns are perfect in early-to-mid December before the January invasion. You'll get the laid-back vibe, empty beaches for sunrise walks, and reasonable prices at beachfront posadas. Water temperature is swimmable at 20-21°C (68-70°F), and the 10 rainy days typically means short afternoon showers rather than all-day washouts. La Pedrera's clifftop lookout point offers whale-watching possibilities (Southern right whales migrate through in December), and Punta del Diablo maintains its bohemian surfer atmosphere before families arrive post-Christmas. The lack of high-rise development means you're getting authentic coastal Uruguay.
Carmelo and Colonia wine region bodega visits
December is ideal for wine tourism in Uruguay's western region because the harvest pressure is over, tannats are aging in barrels, and winemakers actually have bandwidth for conversations. The Carmelo area produces excellent Tannat (Uruguay's signature grape), and December temperatures make vineyard walks pleasant rather than the scorching experience of January-February. Many bodegas offer lunch pairings with river views overlooking the Río de la Plata. The region is far less crowded than Mendoza across the river in Argentina, and you'll get more personal attention at smaller family operations.
Termas hot springs in Salto region
Uruguay's northwestern thermal springs region around Salto offers a completely different December experience - think natural hot springs in park settings rather than beaches. December weather is perfect because you can alternate between 38-42°C (100-108°F) thermal pools and cooler relaxation areas without the winter crowds that pack these places June-August. The springs are naturally heated by geothermal activity, and complexes like Termas del Arapey and Termas de Almirón offer full-day access for 600-1,000 pesos. It's popular with Argentine tourists but relatively unknown internationally, giving you that insider experience.
December Events & Festivals
Noche de las Luces in Montevideo
This lighting festival typically happens mid-December in Ciudad Vieja, where historic buildings get illuminated with projections and light installations. It's free and draws mostly locals - you'll wander streets seeing colonial facades transformed with contemporary light art. Street food vendors set up, and bars stay open late. It's worth timing your Montevideo visit around this if dates align, though exact scheduling varies year to year.
Christmas Eve celebrations and beach gatherings
December 24 is huge in Uruguay - families gather for late-night dinners around 10pm-midnight, followed by fireworks and beach gatherings. Many people head to beaches like Pocitos in Montevideo or Punta del Este for impromptu celebrations after midnight. Restaurants and shops close early on the 24th and most are closed the 25th, so plan accordingly. It's more family-oriented than New Year's Eve but gives you a window into local traditions.
New Year's Eve beach parties
December 31 is when Uruguay's coast absolutely erupts - Punta del Este, José Ignacio, and La Paloma host massive beach parties with DJs, fireworks at midnight, and celebrations running until sunrise. Montevideo's Rambla becomes one long party zone. Expect cover charges at organized events ranging from 2,000-8,000 pesos depending on venue. Book any coastal accommodation for this night months in advance - it's the single busiest night of the year and prices reflect that.