Things to Do in Uruguay in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Uruguay
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Autumn foliage transforms Montevideo's rambla and countryside estancias into golden landscapes - the plane trees along 18 de Julio Avenue peak in mid-May, and you'll have crisp morning light perfect for photography without summer's harsh glare
- Shoulder season pricing drops accommodation costs by 25-35% compared to January high season, while restaurants and wineries are fully staffed but not overrun - you can actually get same-day reservations at Carrasco beach parrillas that require weeks advance booking in summer
- Whale watching season begins along the Rocha coast as southern right whales migrate through - La Paloma and Punta del Diablo see regular sightings from mid-May through October, with calmer autumn seas making for steadier boat trips than spring's choppy conditions
- Tannat grape harvest wraps up in early May, meaning Canelones and Carmelo wineries run fresh harvest tours and early fermentation tastings - you'll see the actual winemaking process rather than just tasting rooms, and vignerons have more time to chat between growing seasons
Considerations
- Temperature swings of 16°C (29°F) between day and night mean you're constantly layering and unlayering - that 25°C (77°F) afternoon drops to 9°C (48°F) by 10pm, and coastal winds off the Rio de la Plata make it feel even colder after sunset
- Beach season is definitively over - Punta del Este, Jose Ignacio, and La Pedrera see most beach clubs and seasonal restaurants close by May 1st, and while you can walk the beaches, water temperatures around 18°C (64°F) make swimming uncomfortable for most people
- Daylight shrinks to about 10 hours by late May with sunset around 5:45pm, which compresses your sightseeing window and means evening activities start feeling quite chilly - plan indoor activities for after 6pm or commit to bundling up
Best Activities in May
Colonia del Sacramento Day Trips
May offers the best conditions for exploring this UNESCO colonial town - autumn light makes the cobblestone streets and Portuguese-era architecture absolutely glow, temperatures in the low 20s°C (low 70s°F) are perfect for the 2-3 hours of walking you'll do, and you'll avoid the January cruise ship crowds that pack the historic quarter. The ferry crossing from Buenos Aires or Montevideo is typically calmer in autumn than spring. Worth noting the town gets quite quiet after 6pm as day-trippers leave, which is actually lovely if you stay overnight.
Montevideo Food and Wine Walking Tours
Autumn is peak season for Uruguayan comfort food - you'll find restaurants serving fresh cordero (lamb), chivito sandwiches, and hearty guisos that make more sense in cooler weather than summer heat. May temperatures are perfect for 3-4 hour walking tours through Ciudad Vieja and Mercado del Puerto without the sweat factor. The 70% humidity is actually pleasant in autumn rather than oppressive. Local food tours typically include 5-6 tastings plus wine, and May means new vintage Tannat releases are hitting tasting rooms.
Estancia Visits and Gaucho Experiences
May is actually ideal for estancia day trips - the countryside is still green from autumn rains, temperatures are comfortable for horseback riding and outdoor asados, and you'll see actual ranch work happening as gauchos move cattle before winter rather than performing just for tourists. The 9-25°C (48-77°F) range means morning rides are brisk but not cold, and afternoon asados around outdoor fires are perfectly timed. Estancias within 90 minutes of Montevideo in Canelones and Florida departments offer the most authentic experiences.
Cabo Polonio Wilderness Trips
This off-grid coastal village is far more manageable in May than summer - no crowds, no lines for the 4x4 trucks that cross the dunes, and accommodation is actually available without months-advance booking. The sea lion colony is active year-round and actually more visible in autumn as pups are growing. That said, expect wind - serious wind - and pack layers. The lack of electricity and roads means you're genuinely disconnected, which appeals to some travelers and horrifies others. May weather can shift quickly, so build flexibility into your plans.
Carmelo and Colonia Wine Region Tours
Early May catches the tail end of harvest season, meaning you can see actual winemaking rather than just tasting rooms - fermentation tanks are active, vignerons are around and chatty rather than slammed with summer tourists, and some bodegas offer barrel tastings of the new vintage. The region sits along the Rio de la Plata about 2-3 hours from Montevideo, and autumn foliage makes the drive genuinely scenic. Temperatures in the low 20s°C (low 70s°F) are perfect for cycling between wineries if you're into that.
Punta del Este Architecture and Art Tours
With beach season over, Punta transforms from party destination to architectural showcase - you can actually appreciate Casapueblo, the Conrad Resort, and the modernist beach houses without crowds. The famous Hand in the Sand sculpture is accessible without the summer selfie lines. May is when you see Punta as Uruguayans experience it in off-season - quieter, more contemplative, with galleries and museums getting proper attention. The Ralli Museum and various art galleries keep full hours even as beach clubs close.
May Events & Festivals
Dia de los Trabajadores (Labor Day)
May 1st is a national holiday with most businesses and many restaurants closed - banks, government offices, and shops shut down, though tourist areas in Montevideo and Colonia usually keep some cafes and restaurants open. You'll see political marches and union gatherings in Montevideo, particularly around Plaza Independencia and along 18 de Julio Avenue. Not a tourist event per se, but worth knowing for planning purposes as it affects your first day if you arrive early May.
Autumn Wine Harvest Celebrations
Various wineries in Canelones and Carmelo regions host end-of-harvest events through early May - these aren't formal festivals but rather open-house style gatherings where bodegas celebrate the completed harvest with tastings, vineyard tours showing the picking process, and traditional asados. Each winery does their own thing on different dates, so check directly with bodegas like Bouza, Pizzorno, or Garzon if you're interested. More authentic than organized wine festivals as you're seeing actual working wineries in transition between seasons.