Looking to Rent a Car in Montevideo? Here’s Your Go-To Information Guide
Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay, home to almost half of the country's population. This is more of a European than a South American city: very measured and unhurried. The city is very far from the centers of civilization - from Europe, to the international airport Carrasco, fly more than 12 hours. Rare traffic jams in the city make it comfortable to use a car that can be rented from Bookingautos. This is a better option than renting locally as you will save a lot of money and have a wider choice of cars.
What to see in Montevideo
La Rambla de Montevideo – the most a popular place for recreation and walks in the city. The embankment is almost 30 kilometers long and lives day and night. There are performances of artists, carnivals, festivals, parties. Residents of the city and tourists come to watch the sunset. The promenade is very popular with joggers and cyclists.
Parque Rodo is a cozy, green and well-maintained park with palm trees and small lakes. It has a very quiet, relaxing atmosphere. The park attracts attention of tourists hiding from the hot sun, lovers of quiet walks and jogging.
National Museum of Visual Arts has an excellent collection of paintings by famous Uruguayan artists dating back to the 19th century. There are constant exhibitions where, in addition to paintings, video installations, sculptures, and interesting arrangements are presented.
Mercado Agricola Montevideo, an ordinary agricultural market, has become a popular tourist destination with many cafes and souvenir shops. Lamb steaks, which are cooked on an open fire, are very popular here. There is still an agricultural fair.
Where to go near Montevideo (for 1-2 days)
From Montevideo to the northern border a little more than 500 km. Therefore, on a rented car, you can travel around the country in a few days. Of note here is the most notable border town, Chuy, which is very popular with tourists. It is known for the fact that the border between Uruguay and Brazil runs along its main street.
La Mano de Punta del Este is a sculpture in the form of fingers peeking out of the sand, located on the beach of Punta del Este. Another attraction of this city with numerous fish restaurants are baited sea lions, which are waiting for fresh catch from local fishermen.
National Park Cabo Polonio is famous for rocky islands with a lighthouse and a colony of sea lions. The main attraction of the park are the ombu trees, whose rhizomes form natural seats. The park is located only 7 km from route 10, but you can only get here by renting a car with four-wheel drive, as you will have to overcome sand dunes.
Salto is a beautiful seaside town, the main value of which are the hot springs presented in the form of pools, fountains, baths, showers. The city is a popular family holiday destination. In addition to the spa and water park, tourists visit beautiful beaches and city parks.
Casapueblo is a snow-white Mediterranean castle on the ocean. Carlos Paez Vilaro, a famous abstract artist, built it with his own hands as a villa to live in. But now Casapueblo is both a hotel with great views and an art gallery that has works by Picasso and Dali.
Food: the best restaurants in Montevideo
Montevideo restaurants are distinguished by typical European cuisine, with a large amount of cheese, meat dishes and an excellent wine list on the menu. From gourmet restaurants, guests of the city, first of all, should be recommended 1921 Restaurant. The French restaurant is distinguished by its stylish interiors, beautiful table setting, varied and high-quality meat delicacies. Francis Restaurant presents Mediterranean cuisine with a predominance of seafood. Here guests will be delighted with chic shrimp in garlic sauce and huge beef steaks. Panini's is a great meat restaurant with a great sommelier. The lamb ravioli and lasagna are highly praised by the restaurant guests.
1921 Restaurant at Sofitel Montevideo (Rb. Republica de Mexico 6451 Sofitel Luxury Hotel, +598 2604 6060)
Francis Restaurant (Luis de la Torre 502 esquina Jose María Montero-Punta Carretas, +598 2711 8603)
Panini's (26 de Marzo 3586, +598 2622 1232)
Where to park in Montevideo
Montevideo has a large selection of car parks. As a rule, paid parking lots are located in the center, free ones are located on the outskirts. Paid parking, 20 pesos per hour, can be paid at a nearby newsstand. At night, from 18:00 to 10:00, parking is free, with the exception of certain places marked with prohibition signs. Private parking garages, under certain conditions, may also provide free parking services. For example, the Auto 3 parking complex (Av. 8 de Octubre 2523) will offer you six hours of free parking if you order a car wash service here.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Avis
Most popular car class
Compact
Average price
28 € / Day
Best price
20 € / Day
Monthly price chart. Approximate prices for 7 days rental
January
€206
February
€140
March
€134
April
€177
May
€194
June
€197
July
€277
August
€650
September
€587
October
€692
November
€517
December
€696
* Data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
In August rental companies located in Montevideo rent much more cars than in the rest of the year. This month marks the smallest range of cars on offer and the highest rental prices. In such a high season, when the number of available cars is minimal, you should arrange a rental as early as possible. This will allow you to get the best rental option at the most favorable price.
The best time to rent a car in Montevideo is November. This month, rental prices are minimal, below the annual average by 34%, and start from €19 for a Compact car.
In the summer, you should be prepared for an increase in the cost of rent. Price growth can be about 30-50% with a simultaneous reduction in the range of available offers. For example, the average price during July for Ford Fusion starts from €33per day.
Average prices for 1 day rental for different car classes:
4x
2x
A/C
3x
Citroen C1
Citroen C1
€14 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
4x
Ford Fiesta
Ford Fiesta
€18 / Day
5x
3x
A/C
4x
Audi A4
Audi A4
€32 / Day
5x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Foxus Estate
Ford Foxus Estate
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
5x
BMW X1
BMW X1
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
4x
BMW 5 series
BMW 5 series
€45 / Day
8x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Tourneo
Ford Tourneo
€55 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
2x
BMW 4 Cabrio
BMW 4 Cabrio
€65 / Day
Bookingautos offers a wide range of cars of any class. In Montevideo you can rent a convertible, SUV, sedan, minivan, as well as a business class car. Our rental fleet consists of new cars manufactured in 2024 year.
The cost of renting a car in Montevideo depends on the car class, rental period, as well as the season of the year. For long-term rentals, rental companies provide good discounts. During the high season, in the summer months, the rental price is much higher than in winter. For example, a daily rental of Opel Corsa or another budget car in the spring will cost about €19 per day. If you decide to rent this car for a week, then for each day you will have to pay about €14. The daily rental of middle-class cars, Ford Fusion, BMW 5 Series Estate, VW Tiguan will be on average €40-€39. In Montevideo convertible rental price starts from €57. Luxury cars can be rented for €175, and the cost of renting the most expensive, exclusive models can exceed 550€ per day.
Recently, in Montevideo has seen a rise in demand for electric car rentals. They do not pollute nature and save money. The city has free parking and cheap charging stations. To rent an electric car in Montevideo, select the appropriate filter in the car search and fill in the dates you need. The best option could be Hyundai Ioniq.
Documents required for car rental
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Expert Car Rental Tips: 10 Things to Keep in Mind
Download Google maps for offline access
The presence of an offline navigator allows you to save on roaming. It is enough just to download the necessary maps from Google Maps and get directions even without a network connection. To do this, enter the phrase "OK MAPS" in the application, select the desired area and download offline maps to your smartphone.
Early Booking Discount
Montevideo is a popular holiday destination and the car rental service is in great demand here. Therefore, it is recommended to book a car in advance. When booking online, you know exactly which car, for what price and under what conditions you will get in Montevideo. The main advantage of early booking is the cost savings. The less time left before the start of the rental, the higher the cost of the rental becomes. The optimal period for booking in rental companies is 6 weeks before receiving the car. If you book early, two days before receiving the car, you can cancel the order without any penalties.
Which car to choose
Tourists who expect to drive only around the city and its immediate surroundings prefer to rent compact cars, Ford Ka or Opel Corsa. For trips to the mountains, you need a car with increased power. You should go on such a trip with a full tank, as fuel consumption in the mountains increases one and a half to two times. An all-wheel drive crossover would be the ideal car for this. Renting BMW 5 Series Estate in Montevideo will cost €33 per day.
What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance advice
When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.
What types of insurance are available for car rental?
Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
Check out the fuel policy
When renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting Montevideo for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.
Unlimited mileage
According to the rental conditions, the mileage can be limited or unlimited. Travel lovers should choose the option without a limit. It will cost more, but in the end it will save. Check the appropriate box to filter offers with unlimited mileage.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Montevideo, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
How to choose a rental company
When renting a car in Montevideo, you should carefully read all the conditions offered by the rental company. Depending on the specific company, they may differ in mileage, insurance coverage, deposit amount, accompanying services and their cost. You should choose proven and reliable companies that offer new cars and stand out due to the well-thought-out organization of work with customers. Additionally, you can study the rating of distributors, which is also available on our website.
If we talk about the best companies in Montevideo, then it is worth highlighting sixt with a rating 9.8 and budget, the average rating of which is 9.7 points.
Car pick-up procedure
Before signing a car rental agreement, it should be carefully checked for damage and defects. Do not be shy to point out the identified problems and problems - then you will not have to answer for them. When returning, pay attention to the fuel in the tank. Its volume must correspond to that prescribed in the agreement.
Also, do not ignore the phone number provided by the technical support representative when concluding the contract. After all, even the most experienced driver is not insured against a breakdown, accident or other force majeure event. In such a case, contact a specialist before the arrival of the police.
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Car rental reviews: Montevideo
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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