Paso de Carrasco City
City in Canelones, Uruguay, near Montevideo.
A commuter town beside Montevideo’s airport, Paso de Carrasco offers beach promenades, riverside parks, and neighborhood parrillas. Most visitors pass through, though some linger for morning walks on Carrasco’s sands and seafood at family‑run eateries.
Paso de Carrasco at a Glance#
Costs: Moderate daily budget - expect $50-120 per day given proximity to Montevideo and airport services.
Safety: Relatively safe with urban cautions - generally safe like much of Uruguay; petty theft can occur in urban areas.
Best Time: October to April (warm season) - warm, pleasant weather for coastal excursions runs spring through summer.
Why Visit Paso de Carrasco?#
Just outside Montevideo, Paso de Carrasco appeals to travelers seeking proximity to city amenities and coastal relaxation. The nearby Carrasco neighborhood and beach offer broad sands and leafy avenues, while Carrasco International Airport means easy arrival. Local parrillas serve classic asado and river fish, and neighborhood cafés host afternoons of mate and conversation. Many visitors choose Paso de Carrasco as a low-key base close to Montevideo’s culture and Uruguay’s seaside calm.
Best Things to Do in Paso de Carrasco#
Best Time to Visit Paso de Carrasco#
Paso de Carrasco is best from October through April for warm weather, beaches and festivals; summer is the hottest period. Winters are mild but can be cooler and showery.
December - February
20-30°C (68-86°F)
High humidity and beach days dominate - lively coastal life, festivals and long afternoons, but occasional heat waves and higher prices.
March - May
12-22°C (54-72°F)
Cooling temperatures and shrinking crowds make for pleasant city strolls and quieter beaches; rains become more frequent later in season.
June - August
6-15°C (43-59°F)
Chilly nights and cool days with intermittent rain - urban life runs at a gentler pace, and beaches are largely deserted.
Paso de Carrasco's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in January) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 6°C to 28°C. Moderate rainfall (987 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm).
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February
February is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm).
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March
March is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with 96 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm).
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December
December is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm).
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How to Get to Paso de Carrasco#
Paso de Carrasco lies immediately beside Carrasco International Airport (MVD) and functions as a suburban/airport district for Montevideo. Most visitors arrive at MVD and continue by short taxi or local bus to Paso de Carrasco.
Carrasco International Airport (MVD): Montevideo’s main international airport (often called Carrasco) is adjacent to Paso de Carrasco and is the most convenient airport for arrivals. A taxi from MVD to Paso de Carrasco takes about 5-15 minutes depending on exact destination and costs roughly UYU 300-800; local buses also link the airport with nearby neighbourhoods.
Montevideo domestic connections: If flying into Montevideo from other Uruguayan cities, Carrasco remains the central hub; Paso de Carrasco is essentially a suburban area just outside the airport.
Train: Uruguay has limited passenger rail services; trains are not a primary option for reaching Paso de Carrasco.
Bus: Montevideo’s extensive bus network serves Paso de Carrasco from central Montevideo and the airport area. Regular COT or local bus routes connect neighbourhoods; bus fares are paid with the STM card or coins and travel times are short from the airport (15-30 minutes depending on traffic). Taxis and app‑based rides are also commonly used for quick transfers.
How to Get Around Paso de Carrasco#
Because the international airport sits next to Paso de Carrasco, taxis and short local bus rides are the fastest ways to get to your accommodation; rental cars are useful for exploring beyond Montevideo.
- Taxi / rideshare (UYU 300-800) - Taxis and app‑based rides (Uber operates intermittently) provide the quickest door‑to‑door transfers from Carrasco Airport into Paso de Carrasco and Montevideo. Taxis are metered; confirm fares for airport pickups if necessary.
- Local bus (Low (local bus fare)) - Montevideo’s bus network serves the Carrasco/Paso de Carrasco area with frequent services into the city. Buses are economical and run regularly; carry exact change or use the local ticketing card where accepted.
- Private transfer / hotel shuttle (Variable (fixed transfer rates)) - Many hotels arrange airport transfers or can recommend private shuttle services for a fixed fee-useful for early/late flights or groups. Book in advance to guarantee availability.
- Car hire (Variable (daily rental rates)) - Renting a car at Carrasco is convenient if you plan day trips along the coast or to other regions of Uruguay. Roads are generally in good condition and signage is clear.
- Walking - Paso de Carrasco is suburban; some areas around the airport and local shops can be reached on foot but distances to Montevideo central are too far for casual walking. Use walking mainly for short neighbourhood errands.
Where to Stay in Paso de Carrasco#
Paso de Carrasco / Carrasco Airport area - $25-60/night
Paso de Carrasco itself has modest guesthouses. Montevideo (10-20 minutes) is the practical choice for wider, budget hotel options.
Paso de Carrasco - small guesthouses (listings) - Limited budget guesthouses and B&Bs
Four Points by Sheraton Montevideo - Affordable chain in nearby Montevideo
Montevideo (Carrasco / City) - $70-150/night
Mid-range selections are in Montevideo’s Carrasco and city centre neighbourhoods; convenient if you don’t need to be right at the airport.
Hyatt Centric Montevideo - Comfortable downtown stay in Montevideo
Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza - Reliable mid-range option in city centre
Montevideo luxury hotels - $150+/night
Paso de Carrasco lacks luxury hotels; top-tier options are in Montevideo, offering full services, river views, and suites.
Hyatt Regency Montevideo - Upscale rooms and riverside location
Radisson Montevideo (top suites) - Premium rooms and city-centre amenities
Where to Eat in Paso de Carrasco#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Paso de Carrasco’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Paso de Carrasco#
Shopping is practical and local: small supermarkets, neighborhood shops and occasional street vendors meet daily needs. For larger malls or specialty stores, head into Montevideo’s commercial districts.
Nightlife in Paso de Carrasco#
Evenings are generally low-key with local bars, parrillas (steakhouses) and cafés. For livelier nightlife and late-night options, Montevideo’s neighborhoods offer more variety.
