🇺🇾 Montevideo, Uruguay
Circus Hostel & Hotel
📍 1274, Treinta y Tres, Montevideo, 11000
Photo: official website
Your stay — Circus Hostel & Hotel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Montevideo.
The Property — Circus Hostel & Hotel
Standing in the lobby of the Circus Hostel & Hotel feels like walking into a theatre set: bright, playful and slightly theatrical, with faux-finished walls, muraled ceilings and pops of circus red and gold. It’s part hostel (the building has shared dorms too) and part three-star hotel, which means a buzzy, sociable vibe with a proper reception and breakfast room. The USP is the location — slap on the main plaza, Plaza Independencia, with the Solís Theatre and old city gates a few steps away. It suits the solo traveller or couple who wants energy, not silence, and is happy to trade a quiet bed for a spot right in the action.
Chronicles of Montevideo
Montevideo was founded in 1724 by the Spanish as a fortified port to counter Portuguese expansion from Colonia del Sacramento. Its old city, Ciudad Vieja, still preserves a grid of cobbled streets, colonial-era buildings and a grand plaza, while the 19th-century expansion added leafy neighbourhoods like Parque Rodó with their stately European-style mansions. Architecturally, the city is a fascinating mash-up of Art Deco, Brutalist and crumbling colonial, with a strong contemporary identity as a relaxed, cultured capital that prizes its bookshops, mate-drinking and Sunday street fairs. Uruguay’s early 20th-century stability and early adoption of secular, progressive laws gave Montevideo a distinctive, low-key confidence that still defines the city today.
Best Time to Visit
Full Montevideo guide →Best months
March to May: autumn brings mild days (20–25°C), golden light, and far fewer tourists than summer, making it ideal for walking the rambla and enjoying cafés without crowds.
Peak / festival surge
January is peak, driven by beach season and the Carnival-related Las Llamadas drum parades in late January. Hotels can double or triple rates, and the city is packed with Argentine and Brazilian visitors.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are excellent shoulder months: still pleasant weather (15–22°C) but rates drop 30–40% below Christmas and summer highs, and you’ll have the Rambla and main museums nearly to yourself.
Weather & packing
Montevideo’s climate is famously fickle — you can see sun, rain and wind all in one June day. Pack a waterproof jacket and layers: a medium-weight jumper plus a windproof shell, and leave the heavy winter coat at home.
Live City Briefing — Montevideo
- The refurbishment of the Mercado del Puerto’s central nave finished in late 2025; the market now has a more polished food hall layout, but the traditional parrillas (grills) still operate.
- A new pedestrianised section of Calle Sarandí in Ciudad Vieja opened in early 2026, widening the main shopping street and linking the plaza directly to the market — useful for walkers but expect occasional construction debris.
- Winter 2026 sees the annual 'Noche de las Librerías' on the first Saturday of July: dozens of independent bookshops stay open late with readings and discounts, a good event to slot into your itinerary.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Circus Hostel & Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first or second floor at the back of the building (facing the internal courtyard), away from Treinta y Tres street. These floors are low enough to avoid too many stairs, and the rear rooms are quieter than those facing the main road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the top floor (likely third or fourth) – you’ll have to climb narrow stairs with luggage, and the Wi-Fi gets even weaker up there. Also avoid rooms facing Treinta y Tres street; the Ciudad Vieja area has bars and late-night foot traffic that can be noisy until 2–3am.
Best views
From front-facing rooms on the second floor you get a partial view of the old city rooftops towards Plaza Independencia, but the view is mostly of the street itself. For a nicer outlook, request a room at the back overlooking the courtyard – it’s not spectacular but far quieter.
Quietest floors
Floors 1–2, rear side (courtyard-facing) are the quietest.
🔊 Noise notes
Treinta y Tres is a one-way street in Ciudad Vieja, with bars, restaurants, and light traffic until late. The rooftop terrace is a social space open until midnight or later – noise carries down to rooms directly below. The main entrance steps also create footfall noise in ground-level common areas.
Insider tips
1. Park at Estacionamiento Plaza Independencia (200m away, ~400 UYU/day) – street parking is tight and unsafe overnight. 2. Bring a portable Wi-Fi hotspot or download offline maps – guest-room signal is unreliable; the lounge and terrace have good free Wi-Fi.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Circus Hostel & Hotel
Free Wi-Fi in common areas only (rooftop terrace, bar, lounge); guest rooms have weak or intermittent signal. No paid upgrade.
No lift – the building is a converted 19th-century mansion with stairs only across all floors.
Complimentary digital access to El País via a lobby tablet; no physical papers. The building retains original frescoed ceilings and a central courtyard – listed heritage structure.
Check-in 14:00–22:00; early bag drop allowed from 09:00; late checkout until 12:00 free, 12:00–18:00 charges 50% of night rate, after 18:00 a full night.
Free for day of arrival/departure; longer storage negotiable at 100 UYU per day.
No step-free access – the main entrance has three steps; all rooms and bathrooms are up stairs. No wheelchair rooms.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is Estacionamiento Plaza Independencia (200 m away), 400 UYU per 24h. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Uruguay does not levy a city tax; VAT is included in listed rates.)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a 500 UYU incidental card hold at check-in, released at checkout.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Catedral Metropolitana (335 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Templo Inglés (381 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Capilla de la Medalla Milagrosa (558 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Lourdes y San Vicente Pallotti (643 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Tiendas Montevideo — 306 m · ~4 min walk
Plazoleta de la Contraescarpa — 202 m · ~3 min walk
Museo Torres García — 130 m · ~2 min walk
Teatro Solís — 102 m · ~1 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 48 m · ~1 min walk
San Roque — 147 m · ~2 min walk
Devoto Express — 128 m · ~2 min walk
Terminal Plaza España — 332 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Uruguayan Peso, UYU
Use ATMs for decent rates; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchanges—they give poor rates. Cambios in Centro are standard.
Visa/Mastercard widely accepted in shops and restaurants; contactless common; Amex less so. Cash needed for small kiosks and street vendors.
10% tip in restaurants if service good, not obligatory. Taxis: round up. Hotel porters: 50-100 UYU.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Cortado at a barra – about 50-70 UYU.
Menú del día at a lunch spot – 300-450 UYU for main, drink, and sometimes dessert.
Pizza or empanadas at a parrilla – main around 400-600 UYU.
Hamburguesas or chivitos from street carts along Av. 18 de Julio.
Supermercado: Tienda Inglesa or Devoto; cheaper: El Dorado or smaller fruterías for produce.
Avenida 18 de Julio or shopping malls like Montevideo Shopping for affordable chain stores; second-hand ferias on weekends.
Bus: 20 UYU for a single ride (STI card). Airport: bus lines 711 or 705 from Tres Cruces terminal, 45 UYU – cheaper than taxi (800+ UYU).
Eat menú del día for lunch; carry a reusable water bottle (tap water safe); use buses with STI card instead of taxis.
Emergency Contacts
MontevideoIn Montevideo, Uruguay, dial 911 for all emergencies (police, ambulance, fire). Alternative numbers: Police non-emergency (1877), Ambulance (105). English-speaking operators may be limited; consider having your address and situation written down in Spanish.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Montevideo, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Circus Hostel & Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 48 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · San Roque — 147 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Throughout Montevideo → Oxford Hotel and surroundings
💡 Use SUBE card (rechargeable transit card) for discounts. Lines 3, 7, and 64 service the City Center near Oxford Hotel.
Carrasco International Airport (MVD) → Oxford Hotel, Montevideo City Center
💡 Use official airport taxi stands or pre-book through your hotel to avoid overcharging. Uber/Didi also available as alternatives.
Carrasco International Airport (MVD) → Oxford Hotel area, City Center
💡 Most economical airport option. Shuttle stops near major hotels. Buy ticket at airport ground floor counter.
Carrasco / City Center → Various city routes
💡 Metro system currently under construction. Taxi or bus are reliable alternatives for now. Walking the City Center around Oxford Hotel is highly recommended.
About Montevideo
Wikipedia ↗
Montevideo (, US also ; Spanish: [monteβiˈðeo] ), is the capital and largest city of Uruguay. As of the 2023 census, the city proper has a population of 1,287,452, making up about 36.8% of the country's total population, in an area of 201 square kilometers (78 sq mi). Montevideo is situated on the s...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Circus Hostel & Hotel?
Request a room on the first or second floor at the back of the building (facing the internal courtyard), away from Treinta y Tres street. These floors are low enough to avoid too many stairs, and the rear rooms are quieter than those facing the main road.
Which rooms should I avoid at Circus Hostel & Hotel?
Avoid rooms on the top floor (likely third or fourth) – you’ll have to climb narrow stairs with luggage, and the Wi-Fi gets even weaker up there. Also avoid rooms facing Treinta y Tres street; the Ciudad Vieja area has bars and late-night foot traffic that can be noisy until 2–3am.
Is Circus Hostel & Hotel noisy?
Treinta y Tres is a one-way street in Ciudad Vieja, with bars, restaurants, and light traffic until late. The rooftop terrace is a social space open until midnight or later – noise carries down to rooms directly below. The main entrance steps also create footfall noise in ground-level common areas.
Which rooms have the best views at Circus Hostel & Hotel?
From front-facing rooms on the second floor you get a partial view of the old city rooftops towards Plaza Independencia, but the view is mostly of the street itself. For a nicer outlook, request a room at the back overlooking the courtyard – it’s not spectacular but far quieter.
What are insider tips for staying at Circus Hostel & Hotel?
1. Park at Estacionamiento Plaza Independencia (200m away, ~400 UYU/day) – street parking is tight and unsafe overnight. 2. Bring a portable Wi-Fi hotspot or download offline maps – guest-room signal is unreliable; the lounge and terrace have good free Wi-Fi.
What time is check-in at Circus Hostel & Hotel?
Check-in at Circus Hostel & Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Circus Hostel & Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in common areas only (rooftop terrace, bar, lounge); guest rooms have weak or intermittent signal. No paid upgrade.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Circus Hostel & Hotel?
None (Uruguay does not levy a city tax; VAT is included in listed rates.)
Where can I eat cheaply near Circus Hostel & Hotel?
Menú del día at a lunch spot – 300-450 UYU for main, drink, and sometimes dessert.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Circus Hostel & Hotel?
Bus: 20 UYU for a single ride (STI card). Airport: bus lines 711 or 705 from Tres Cruces terminal, 45 UYU – cheaper than taxi (800+ UYU).
When is the best time to visit Montevideo?
March to May: autumn brings mild days (20–25°C), golden light, and far fewer tourists than summer, making it ideal for walking the rambla and enjoying cafés without crowds.
Top Attractions in Montevideo
💡 The stretch near Pocitos Beach is best for a relaxed walk. Bring a mate and a thermos to blend in—it’s the national ritual.
💡 Go around 11am to see the parrillas firing up without the lunchtime crowds. If you do want a cheap snack, empanadas from the side stalls cost around $3.
💡 Cross under the plaza via the subterranean walkway to the mausoleum—it’s free and cool on hot days. The square is quietest early Sunday mornings.
💡 Visit on a Sunday evening when drumming groups (comparsas) practise in public—head to the corner of Isla de Flores and Cuareim. No entry fee, but bring coins for a donation.
💡 Entry is around $4—worth it for the rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the Old City and port. Check for free admission days, typically on Wednesdays.