🇺🇾 Montevideo, Uruguay
Tazu Hostel
📍 Maldonado 1464, 11200 Montevideo, Departamento de Montevideo, Uruguay
Your stay — Tazu Hostel
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 — Tazu Hostel
Tazu Hostel is a cheerful, colourful base in the up-and-coming Palermo barrio, two blocks from the Rambla. The lobby feels like a student co-op’s living room: mismatched sofas, a chalkboard wall of upcoming events, and a 24-hour mate circle. It suits solo backpackers and couples on a budget who prioritise social atmosphere over private space. The USP is the rooftop terrace with a grill for asados, which fills up most evenings.
Chronicles of Montevideo
Montevideo was founded in 1724 by Spanish governor Bruno Mauricio de Zabala as a fortified port to counter Portuguese expansion from Colonia del Sacramento. Its 19th-century prosperity came from exporting salted beef and wool, leaving a legacy of grand but faded Neoclassical and Art Deco buildings along 18 de Julio Avenue. Today it’s a quietly cultured capital: a UNESCO Creative City of Literature, with a liveable, scruffy charm and an underrated music scene centred on candombe drumming.
Best Time to Visit
Full Montevideo guide →Best months
October and November for spring wildflowers and mild 20°C highs, plus fewer tourists. March offers autumn warmth and the post-February lull.
Peak / festival surge
January and February (summer holidays + Carnival), when the city is hot, humid and loud with street parades. Hotel prices double; dorms at Tazu average $25–$35 USD. The main driver is Montevideo Carnival (late Jan–Feb), the world’s longest, with nightly desfiles.
Budget shoulder season
April–May and September–October: temperatures 12–20°C, low season rates, empty beaches but still good for walking. Best budget bets for Tazu: private rooms often drop to $20–$25 USD.
Weather & packing
Montevideo’s climate is famously fickle: a clear 25°C morning can turn into a 12°C drizzle by afternoon. Pack a compact waterproof jacket and a light sweater regardless of the forecast.
Live City Briefing — Montevideo
- The new Montevideo Metro (Line 1) is paused indefinitely; buses remain the only public transport — buy a rechargeable STM card at kiosks.
- Several streets in Palermo are being repaved through June 2026, expect noise and detours on Durazno and Yatay near the hostel.
- The Mercado de la Abundancia reopened in March 2026 after a fire; its food stalls and craft beer bars are buzzing again, 10 minutes' walk from Tazu.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Tazu Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor (third floor) at the rear of the building, away from Maldonado street. These rooms are quieter and get more natural light, with less street noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms facing Maldonado street on the first or second floor. They get the most traffic noise from the avenue and foot traffic, plus any noise from the shared lounge on the ground floor.
Best views
No real view to speak of — the building faces a busy street (Maldonado) with shops and apartments opposite. A rear-facing room might look onto a quiet inner courtyard or adjacent buildings.
Quietest floors
Third floor (top floor) is the quietest. Second floor is moderate, first floor is noisiest.
🔊 Noise notes
Main noise source is Maldonado street traffic, especially during weekday mornings and evenings. The building has no lift, so stairs can amplify footfall. No historic elevator option means all guests use the stairs.
Insider tips
1. Park at Estacionamiento Cordón (nearest public garage) for $600 UYU/night — book in advance online to avoid sell-outs. 2. Check-in is smooth but wifi is only good for browsing, not video calls; bring your own data if you need to work remotely.
- 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 — Tazu Hostel
Free for all guests; adequate for browsing, not for video calls; no login constraints.
No lift — 3 floors of stairs; no historic elevator option.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand.
Standard hours 14:00–22:00; early bag-drop free if available; late check-out until 12:00 costs $15 USD.
Free for day of check-in/out; $5 USD per day for longer storage.
No step-free access; stairs only; wheelchair entry not possible.
No on-site parking; nearest public garage (Estacionamiento Cordón) costs $600 UYU per night; no EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a $20 USD incidental card hold at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Parroquia María Auxiliadora (109 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Evangélica Alemana (241 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Capilla Nuestra Señora del Carmen (502 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Huerto y San José (631 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Shopping Tres Cruces — 2.1 km · ~26 min walk
Parque Rodó — 1.2 km · ~14 min walk
Museo del Cannabis — 796 m · ~10 min walk
Teatro Comedía — 193 m · ~2 min walk
Rincon Infantil Enriqueta Compte Y Rique — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 663 m · ~8 min walk
Farmashop 50 — 169 m · ~2 min walk
Joaquines — 223 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Uruguayan Peso, UYU
Use ATMs from Banco República or Santander for the best rates; avoid airport bureaux which give terrible rates.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in supermarkets and restaurants in this area; contactless works in most shops; smaller places may be cash-only.
10% is customary in restaurants if no service charge; round up taxi fares; tipping hotel staff 50-100 UYU is fine.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A café con leche at any local bar costs around 50-70 UYU, usually served with a small glass of sparkling water.
Menú del día (set lunch with drink) at a modest lunch spot runs 200-350 UYU in this area.
A main dish like a milanesa or pizza at a neighbourhood restaurant costs 300-450 UYU.
Chivito sandwiches or empanadas from small kiosks or food carts near Plaza Matriz; also the Mercado del Puerto area has parrilla stalls.
Tienda Inglesa and Disco are common budget supermarkets in this part of Montevideo.
Affordable high-street shopping along Avenida 18 de Julio, with chains like H&M or local brands; no market specifically in this area.
A single bus ride costs 32 UYU (use the STM card); from the airport, take bus CA1 or C4 for 55 UYU (avoid taxis which cost 10x more).
Buy a rechargeable STM card for buses from any kiosk; eat lunch at set-menu places rather than a la carte dinner; drink tap water (safe in Montevideo) to save on bottled water.
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 Tazu Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 663 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Farmashop 50 — 169 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Tazu Hostel?
Request a room on the top floor (third floor) at the rear of the building, away from Maldonado street. These rooms are quieter and get more natural light, with less street noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Tazu Hostel?
Avoid rooms facing Maldonado street on the first or second floor. They get the most traffic noise from the avenue and foot traffic, plus any noise from the shared lounge on the ground floor.
Is Tazu Hostel noisy?
Main noise source is Maldonado street traffic, especially during weekday mornings and evenings. The building has no lift, so stairs can amplify footfall. No historic elevator option means all guests use the stairs.
Which rooms have the best views at Tazu Hostel?
No real view to speak of — the building faces a busy street (Maldonado) with shops and apartments opposite. A rear-facing room might look onto a quiet inner courtyard or adjacent buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Tazu Hostel?
1. Park at Estacionamiento Cordón (nearest public garage) for $600 UYU/night — book in advance online to avoid sell-outs. 2. Check-in is smooth but wifi is only good for browsing, not video calls; bring your own data if you need to work remotely.
What time is check-in at Tazu Hostel?
Check-in at Tazu Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Tazu Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; adequate for browsing, not for video calls; no login constraints.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Tazu Hostel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Tazu Hostel?
Menú del día (set lunch with drink) at a modest lunch spot runs 200-350 UYU in this area.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Tazu Hostel?
A single bus ride costs 32 UYU (use the STM card); from the airport, take bus CA1 or C4 for 55 UYU (avoid taxis which cost 10x more).
When is the best time to visit Montevideo?
October and November for spring wildflowers and mild 20°C highs, plus fewer tourists. March offers autumn warmth and the post-February lull.
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.