Things to Do in Uruguay in October
October weather, activities, events & insider tips
October Weather in Uruguay
Is October Right for You?
Advantages
- Spring shoulder season means hotel rates drop 25-40% compared to peak summer months while weather remains genuinely pleasant - you'll find beachfront properties in Punta del Este at half their January prices, typically $80-150 per night instead of $200-300
- Jacaranda trees bloom across Montevideo and Colonia creating purple-canopied streets throughout the month - the timing is unpredictable year to year but usually peaks mid-October, transforming the entire Rambla waterfront into something worth photographing
- Ocean temperatures hover around 16-17°C (61-63°F) which sounds cold but is actually swimmable for most people, especially on those warm afternoons when air temps hit 24-25°C (75-77°F) - locals start returning to beaches and the vibe shifts from winter quiet to early-season energy
- Wine harvest season wraps up in early October, meaning bodega tours in Carmelo and Canelones regions include fresh grape juice tastings and you can watch the actual production process rather than just walking through empty facilities - tours run smaller groups this month, typically 4-8 people instead of 15-20
Considerations
- Weather genuinely swings day to day - you might get 25°C (77°F) and sunny on Monday then 15°C (59°F) with drizzle on Wednesday, which makes packing frustrating and means you need to build flexibility into outdoor plans rather than committing to beach days weeks in advance
- Wind picks up significantly in October, particularly along the coast and in Montevideo where the Rio de la Plata funnels gusts of 30-40 km/h (19-25 mph) most afternoons - this makes beach time less pleasant than you'd expect and outdoor restaurant seating can be genuinely uncomfortable after 4pm
- Some beach towns like La Paloma and Cabo Polonio operate on reduced schedules with restaurants open only Friday-Sunday and limited bus service - if you're planning coastal exploration outside Punta del Este, you'll need to verify specific opening days or risk arriving to closed establishments
Best Activities in October
Montevideo Old City Walking Routes
October weather is actually ideal for exploring Ciudad Vieja on foot - temperatures peak around 22-24°C (72-75°F) in late morning, warm enough to be comfortable but not the sweaty experience you'd get in January. The variable weather means you'll want to start around 10am when morning fog typically clears. The port market opens early and by midday you can move through Plaza Independencia toward the Rambla without fighting summer crowds. Most tourists haven't arrived yet so you'll actually hear the street musicians and see locals going about their business rather than navigating tour groups.
Colonia del Sacramento Day Trips
The ferry ride from Montevideo takes just one hour and October means you'll avoid the packed boats of summer while still getting decent weather for wandering Colonia's cobblestone streets. The historic quarter is small enough to cover in 3-4 hours, and spring flowers bloom against those Portuguese colonial walls creating genuinely photogenic moments. Temperatures are comfortable for the uphill walk to the lighthouse - around 20-22°C (68-72°F) typically - without the humidity that makes summer visits exhausting. Worth noting the wind can make the ferry crossing choppy, so take motion sickness medication if you're prone to it.
Carmelo Wine Region Tours
Early October catches the tail end of harvest season in Uruguay's main wine region, about 3 hours northwest of Montevideo. You'll see actual production happening rather than just touring empty cellars - crushers running, fermentation tanks being filled, that distinct smell of fresh grape must in the air. The Tannat varietal that Uruguay is known for gets harvested late March through early April, but October is when winemakers are still actively working with the new vintage. Temperatures are mild enough for cycling between bodegas, typically 18-23°C (64-73°F), and the riverside location means less wind than coastal areas.
Punta del Este Coastal Exploration
October sits in that interesting window where Punta is waking up from winter but hasn't hit full summer chaos. Beach clubs start opening weekends-only, restaurants extend their hours, but you can still walk Playa Brava or Playa Mansa without dodging umbrellas every 2 meters (6.5 feet). Water temperature around 16-17°C (61-63°F) means swimming is borderline - some people love it, others find it too cold - but the beaches themselves are beautiful for walking, especially late afternoon when that golden light hits La Mano sculpture. Wind is the real factor here, often picking up to 35-45 km/h (22-28 mph) after 3pm, so plan beach time for morning and early afternoon.
Cabo Polonio Remote Beach Experience
This off-grid beach village is accessible only by 4WD trucks through sand dunes - no roads, no electricity grid, just solar panels and generator power. October is honestly one of the better months to visit because summer crowds haven't arrived yet hostels and posadas have space, but enough services are open that you won't arrive to a ghost town. The sea lion colony is active year-round and actually more vocal in spring. Temperatures range 15-23°C (59-73°F) with significant wind, so this isn't a beach-lounging destination but rather a walking, wildlife-watching, and disconnecting experience. The 7 km (4.3 mile) beach walk to the lighthouse takes about 90 minutes and you'll likely see more birds than people.
Termas Hot Springs Regions
Northwestern Uruguay near Salto has several termas complexes with natural hot springs, and October weather makes this particularly appealing - cool enough that soaking in 38-42°C (100-108°F) thermal pools feels genuinely relaxing rather than overheating like it would in summer. Night temperatures drop to 12-14°C (54-57°F) which creates that perfect contrast of cold air and hot water. The facilities range from basic municipal pools to resort-style complexes with multiple pools, waterslides, and spa services. Most visitors are Argentine and Uruguayan families, so you'll experience something locals actually do rather than a tourist attraction. The drive from Montevideo takes about 5-6 hours, or you can fly to Salto in 50 minutes.
October Events & Festivals
Día de la Raza / Día de la Diversidad Cultural
October 12th is a national holiday marking Columbus's arrival in the Americas, though Uruguay increasingly frames this as Day of Cultural Diversity. Banks and government offices close, and Montevideo typically hosts cultural events in parks and plazas with music, food stands, and craft markets. It's not a massive tourist spectacle but rather a local holiday where families gather for asados and the city takes on a relaxed Sunday vibe even if it falls on a weekday. If you're in town, it's worth experiencing but don't expect coordinated festivities like you'd find at carnival.
Jacaranda Bloom Season
Not an organized event but a natural phenomenon that transforms Montevideo and other cities when jacaranda trees bloom purple throughout October. The timing shifts slightly year to year depending on spring temperatures, but typically peaks mid-to-late October. The Rambla waterfront, Parque Rodo, and residential neighborhoods in Pocitos and Carrasco become tunnels of purple flowers. Locals know this is the signal that summer is approaching and you'll see increased activity in parks and outdoor cafes. Photographers particularly love early morning when fallen petals carpet the sidewalks.