Two days in Montevideo, a coach day to Colonia del Sacramento, then three days in Punta del Este and a coach to the airport.
7 days, 42 stopsBalanced paceDec to MarApproved by TravPa Editors, Nov 7, 2026
Trip at a glance
Add your first day to see each day's date, weather, sunset and closing days.
Day 1: Plaza Independencia, the port market and Carnival
Plaza Independencia and the Teatro Solís, pre-Columbian art, lunch at the port market, carnival history and a view from city hall.
Check the weekday. Museo de Arte Precolombino e Indígena is closed on Sundays.
1
9:30 AMPlaza IndependenciaStart at the Artigas monument. Palacio Salvo, whose tour takes about 45 min, and the Ciudadela gate stand beside the square.About 45 min here
Free to visit
Walk about 3 min
2
10:15 AMTeatro SolísLook inside the 19th-century theater and ask at the box office about guided tour times, which can change.About 1 hour here
Guided tours; check times
Walk about 12 min
3
11:30 AMMuseo de Arte Precolombino e IndígenaOpen Monday to Saturday from 10:30 AM to 6 PM, with last entry at 5:30 PM. Closed on Sundays; allow about an hour.About 1 hour 15 min here
General admission: UYU 250 (about $6) · Buy at the door or online
12:45 PMMercado del PuertoLunch at the parrilla grills, with a medio y medio drink if you like. Venue hours vary, so check before you go.About 1 hour 30 min here
Pay as you go
Walk about 2 min
5
2:15 PMMuseo del CarnavalOpen Wednesday to Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM. On a Monday or Tuesday, spend this slot at the waterfront instead.About 1 hour 30 min here
Pay at the door
Taxi about 10 min
6
4:00 PMOptionalMirador PanorámicoFree viewing deck on floor 22 of the city hall, open every day from 10 AM to 8 PM; the entrance is at Soriano 1372.About 1 hour 45 min here
Free to visit
Taxi about 15 min
7
6:00 PMMercado Agrícola de MontevideoDinner among the stalls of the covered market, open until 10 PM every day; food outlets keep their own hours.
Pay as you go
Before you go
Book coaches earlyCOT runs the coaches between Montevideo, Colonia and Punta del Este. Several departures do not run on Sundays and holidays.
Choose the Colonia coachThe 7:45 AM departure reaches Colonia at about 10:35 AM. Return coaches leave at 7 PM, 8:30 PM and 10 PM.
Rent a car for day 5Punta Ballena, La Barra and José Ignacio are spread along the coast. A car, a driver or a tour covers them in a day.
Carry some cashUS dollars are generally accepted in shops and restaurants, and Visa and Mastercard are the usual cards.
Check closing daysMAPI is closed on Sundays, the Museo del Carnaval opens Wednesday to Sunday and the national art museum is closed on Mondays.
Where to stay for this plan
Stay near Ciudad Vieja for nights 1 to 3, then on the Punta del Este peninsula for nights 4 to 6. Night 3 is a late return from Colonia.
Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.
Plan last checked Nov 7, 2026. Check individual fee sources before you go. TravPa earns a commission when you book through a partner; your price stays the same.
