Uruguay Tourism Gets a Cruise Boom as Montevideo Leads the Maritime Gateway

Written By: Abhirup Gan

Abhirup Gan

I'm Abhirup Gan, a Mass Communication graduate and digital marketing professional. Driven by a passion for storytelling, I create insightful, research-led content that explores tourism trends, destination stories, and hospitality developments with depth and clarity. Through my writing, I hope to inspire readers to discover not only where to travel, but the stories, cultures, and experiences that make every journey meaningful.

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August 12, 2026 5:24 PM

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Uruguay, Montevideo, Punta del Este and the Río de la Plata are attracting a growing stream of cruise travellers as the country’s maritime tourism sector records strong passenger volumes and rising visitor spending. During the 2024–25 cruise season, Uruguay received 313,267 cruise passengers across 160 ship calls, with Montevideo handling 113 of those calls and Punta del Este receiving 47, according to Uruguay’s Ministry of Tourism.

Montevideo Takes the Cruise Spotlight

The figures place Montevideo firmly at the centre of Uruguay’s cruise tourism network.

Of the 160 cruise vessels that called at Uruguayan ports during the 2024–25 season, 113 docked in Montevideo, representing more than 70% of all ship calls. Punta del Este accounted for the remaining 47.

The concentration gives the capital a particularly important role in converting cruise arrivals into city tourism activity.

For passengers stepping ashore, Montevideo offers a compact combination of heritage, waterfront attractions, restaurants, shopping and cultural experiences that can be explored during a cruise stop.

The Cruise Season Delivers Millions in Spending

Cruise tourism is also generating measurable economic activity.

The Ministry of Tourism reported that cruise passengers spent US$18.5 million across Uruguay during the 2024–25 season. The ministry’s assessment also highlighted an increase in average spending per passenger compared with the previous season.

That expenditure flows into businesses connected with tourism, including restaurants, transport providers, retailers, excursion operators and cultural attractions.

Montevideo’s position as the country’s largest cruise port therefore gives the capital a significant role in capturing this visitor spending.

Ciudad Vieja Becomes a Cruise-Day Favourite

For cruise passengers with limited time ashore, Ciudad Vieja offers a concentrated introduction to Montevideo.

The historic district contains colonial-era architecture, museums, galleries, restaurants and public spaces, including the Plaza Matriz and Mercado del Puerto.

The area is also close to the port, making it practical for visitors who want to explore independently rather than booking longer excursions.

Cruise passengers can move from the waterfront into the historic centre and continue towards the city’s wider commercial districts within the same visit.

The Rambla Extends the City Experience

The Rambla de Montevideo provides another major attraction for cruise visitors.

Stretching along the city’s coastline, the waterfront promenade connects beaches, neighbourhoods, parks and recreational areas.

Its proximity to central Montevideo makes it suitable for short sightseeing trips, while longer excursions can incorporate several sections of the coastline.

For cruise passengers arriving during daylight hours, the Rambla also provides a different experience from the historic architecture of Ciudad Vieja.

Punta del Este Keeps the Resort Connection

While Montevideo dominates cruise calls, Punta del Este remains an important part of Uruguay’s maritime tourism offer.

The coastal resort is known for beaches, restaurants, shopping, nightlife and luxury accommodation.

Cruise visitors can explore attractions such as Playa Brava, Playa Mansa and the Port of Punta del Este, while nearby destinations including José Ignacio provide additional coastal experiences.

The two cruise ports therefore give Uruguay contrasting visitor propositions: Montevideo’s urban and cultural tourism and Punta del Este’s resort and coastal tourism.

International Spending Adds Another Layer

Cruise tourism also provides access to a diverse international visitor base.

Passengers arriving in Uruguay can come from markets across South America as well as North America and Europe.

Research published in Ocean & Coastal Management found that passenger nationality, port of disembarkation and whether travellers visit in groups are important factors influencing cruise spending in Uruguay. The study analysed expenditure behaviour at both Montevideo and Punta del Este.

The findings provide additional context for the tourism value of different cruise markets and port experiences.

Montevideo’s Wider Tourism Market Is Growing

Cruise tourism is arriving alongside broader growth in Montevideo’s visitor economy.

During the first quarter of 2026, the city received 220,166 visitors, up 31% from 167,952 during the same period of 2025, according to figures supplied by Uruguay’s Ministry of Tourism.

Tourist expenditure in the department also increased 28%, from US$104.9 million to US$134.4 million.

The figures cover tourism more broadly rather than cruise passengers alone, but they demonstrate the wider visitor demand supporting Montevideo’s hospitality and tourism businesses.

Cruise Infrastructure Supports the Growth

Montevideo’s port remains central to Uruguay’s cruise strategy.

The country’s tourism authorities have continued working with the National Ports Administration and the Montevideo government to strengthen cruise operations, encourage ship arrivals and increase the economic contribution generated by visiting vessels.

Uruguay officially launched its 2025–26 cruise season in Montevideo in December 2025, with authorities highlighting the importance of extending cruise activity and encouraging repeat visits.

Key Stats

• 313,267: Cruise passengers recorded across Uruguay during the 2024–25 season.
• 160: Cruise ship calls recorded across the country.
• 113: Cruise calls handled by Montevideo.
• 47: Cruise calls handled by Punta del Este.
• US$18.5 million: Cruise passenger expenditure recorded across Uruguay.
• 220,166: Visitors recorded in Montevideo during Q1 2026.

Travel Details

Uruguay uses the Uruguayan peso (UYU). Carrasco International Airport is the principal international gateway for Montevideo.

The Port of Montevideo provides access to Ciudad Vieja, Mercado del Puerto and the central waterfront, while Punta del Este is served by the resort’s port and Capitán de Corbeta Carlos A. Curbelo International Airport.

Major attractions include Ciudad Vieja, Mercado del Puerto, the Rambla, Plaza Independencia, Teatro Solís and Punta del Este’s beaches.

FAQ

1. How many cruise passengers visited Uruguay during the 2024–25 season?
Uruguay recorded 313,267 cruise passengers across the 2024–25 season.

2. Which Uruguayan port receives the most cruise ships?
Montevideo is the country’s leading cruise port, recording 113 ship calls compared with 47 at Punta del Este during the 2024–25 season.

3. How much did cruise passengers spend in Uruguay?
Cruise passengers generated approximately US$18.5 million in expenditure during the 2024–25 season.

Dates and Events

November 2024–April 2025: Uruguay’s 2024–25 cruise season recorded 160 vessel calls and 313,267 cruise passengers.

3 July 2025: Uruguay’s Ministry of Tourism published its assessment of the 2024–25 cruise season.

1 December 2025: Uruguay officially launched its 2025–26 cruise season in Montevideo.

January–March 2026: Montevideo recorded 220,166 visitors, a 31% year-on-year increase.

Conclusion

Uruguay’s cruise tourism market is placing Montevideo firmly at the centre of the country’s maritime visitor economy. With 313,267 cruise passengers and 160 ship calls recorded during the 2024–25 season, the capital’s port handled the majority of cruise activity, feeding visitors into Ciudad Vieja, the Rambla, restaurants, shops and cultural attractions. Punta del Este adds a major coastal alternative, while continued growth in Montevideo’s wider tourism market is strengthening Uruguay’s position as a significant cruise destination on South America’s Atlantic routes.