Carrasco General Cesáreo L. Berisso International Airport

Carrasco International Airport (MVD) sits in Ciudad de la Costa, a coastal suburb east of Montevideo, serving as Uruguay's primary international gateway. The airport's control tower — officially the Centro de Control Aeropuerto Internacional de Carrasco — manages arrivals and departures with a calm, professional tone, even under low visibility when the modern ILS system guides aircraft in. The terminal handles around two million passengers annually, connecting Montevideo to major cities in South America, Europe, and North America. Its location, 20 kilometres from downtown Montevideo, makes it accessible yet removed enough to avoid urban clutter. The airport operates daily but not around the clock: flights are scheduled primarily between early morning and late evening, aligning with peak travel patterns.

Getting There

The airport is 20 kilometres east of Montevideo's city centre, reachable via Route 101 (Avenida de las Américas) and the Ruta Interbalnearia. By car, the journey takes about 25 minutes without traffic, though peak hours (Monday 8 pm, Tuesday 11 am, Wednesday 8 am, Thursday 8 pm) can add 10–15 minutes. Taxis and ride-hailing services (Uber, Cabify) operate from the terminal 24/7, with fares to central Montevideo around UYU 800–1200 (USD 20–30). Buses are the budget option: COPSA and CUTCSA lines (e.g., 700, 701, 704) run from the airport to Tres Cruces bus terminal in Montevideo for about UYU 50 (USD 1.20). The journey takes 45–60 minutes. For those driving, long-term parking costs UYU 150 per day, with a free 15-minute drop-off zone at departures.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal is compact but efficient, with a single building that handles both domestic and international flights. Arrivals and departures share the same ground level, with check-in counters on the left and baggage claim on the right. The wheelchair-accessible entrance is clearly marked near the main doors, and the wheelchair-accessible toilet is located near the central corridor beside the main toilet block. Security screening moves quickly, usually under 10 minutes, thanks to two dedicated lanes. Duty-free shops and a small food court (a café and a sandwich shop) are available airside. The atmosphere is calm, with natural light from large windows overlooking the tarmac. The only notable shortcoming is limited seating in the boarding area — arrive no earlier than two hours before departure to avoid cramped waiting. Wi-Fi is free but requires reconnection every 30 minutes.

Centro de Control Aeropuerto Internacional de Carrasco and Ciudad de la Costa

Ciudad de la Costa is Uruguay's third-largest city by population, a 30-kilometre strip of residential and commercial development along the Río de la Plata coast. Originally a summer holiday destination for Montevideo residents, it has grown into a permanent commuter town of about 100,000 people. The city's geography is defined by its sandy beaches — particularly Playa Carrasco and Playa de los Ingleses — which are clean and family-friendly, with calm waters and promenades for walking. The airport sits near the western edge of the city, just east of the Carrasco neighbourhood, where upscale homes and the Carrasco Casino offer a taste of middle-class Uruguayan life.

Beyond the beach, Ciudad de la Costa has a relaxed, suburban feel. The Costa Urbana shopping centre provides essentials, and the nearby Parque Roosevelt offers green space with walking trails and a small zoo. For history, the nearby town of Pando (10 minutes north) preserves colonial-era buildings and a local museum. Food is a highlight: parrillas (steak houses) line the main roads, serving chivito (Uruguay's national sandwich) and asado. The city's proximity to Montevideo means day trips to the capital's historic Ciudad Vieja, Mercado del Puerto, and Rambla are easy — a 30-minute bus or drive.

Ciudad de la Costa is often overlooked by tourists who head straight to Punta del Este, but it offers an authentic slice of Uruguayan coastal life. The airport is the logical entry point for exploring the country's eastern beaches, vineyards (the Canelones wine region is 20 minutes north), and wildlife in the wetlands of Rocha. The control tower's presence here, with its calm air traffic management, reflects the orderly, unhurried pace of the region — a place where efficiency doesn't sacrifice friendliness.

Practical Information

The airport is open daily from 6:00 AM to midnight. However, the control tower (Centro de Control) operates with reduced staffing on weekends, so flights may be limited. Check with your airline for specific scheduling. The airport's official website (aac.com.uy) provides flight tracking and parking info; phone number +598 2604 0000. For wheelchair assistance, request it when booking — staff will meet you at check-in. One concrete tip: if you have a layover, do not leave the terminal unless you have at least four hours — immigration and traffic can be unpredictable. Instead, use the free Wi-Fi, grab a coffee at the airside café, and enjoy the view of the control tower guiding planes in and out.