Punta del diablo to Montevideo: 5h Bus journey Guide

Introduction

There are two main options to get from Punta del Diablo to Montevideo by bus: Rutas del Sol and COT. Both companies are reliable, offer comfortable seats, and operate daily services connecting the coast to Uruguay’s capital.

The trip takes around 4.5 to 5 hours, depending on traffic and stops along the way. You’ll travel through a scenic stretch of Uruguayan countryside, passing by small towns, rolling fields, and glimpses of the Atlantic coastline before arriving in the heart of Montevideo.

For travelers, this route is not only the most convenient but also the most affordable. Whether you’re heading to Montevideo for the next leg of your trip or catching a flight, the bus ride from Punta del Diablo to Montevideo is smooth, safe, and easy to organize.

Couple smiling and posing in front of a brightly painted VW Beetle used as their accommodation at La Girada Eco Camping. — Selfie at Mini Camping la Girada in Puntal del Diablo

Read: Our complete 10-day Uruguay Itinerary

Where to stay in Puntal del Diablo

If you are looking to get from Punta del Diablo to Montevideo, here are a few great accommodation options we recommend in Punta Del Diablo:

(€) Eco House Via Verde – A simple, eco-friendly stay surrounded by greenery. Great for travelers who love peace, nature, and good vibes.
(€€) Eco Boutique B&B – A charming bed and breakfast with beautiful decor, homemade breakfast, and friendly owners.
(€€€) Bella Bungalows – Bright, spacious bungalows near the beach with private terraces — perfect if you want a bit more comfort and privacy.

Bright beach bungalow with a canopy bed, ocean views, and a wooden balcony facing the sea in Punta del Diablo. — Bella Bungalow Punta Del Diablo

Here are all your accommodation options in Punta Del Diablo

Buying the ticket

You can buy your bus ticket from Punta del Diablo to Montevideo directly at the small bus terminal in town. The ticket price is around 714 UYU per person, depending on the company and season.

It’s best to purchase your ticket from Punta del Diablo to Montevideo the day before your trip, ideally in the afternoon. This way, you’ll secure a seat and avoid any last-minute stress, especially during weekends or the summer months when buses tend to fill up quickly.

Payment can usually be made in cash (UYU or BRL), and staff at the terminal can assist you in choosing between Rutas del Sol or COT, depending on your preferred departure time from Punta del Diablo to Montevideo. If you’re traveling during the high season (December to March), booking early is definitely a good idea.

Peaceful view from the Santa Teresa Botanical Garden entrance, framed by an arched doorway with a dog resting in the shade. — Peaceful view from the Santa Teresa Botanical Garden entrance

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Colorful Pinterest collage featuring scenes from Punta del Diablo, Uruguay — including a beachfront village, fishing boats on the sand, a seaside fortress, and a glowing campfire barbecue, highlighting the best things to do in this laid-back coastal town

Bus Schedule & Duration

The journey from Punta del Diablo to Montevideo takes around 4.5 to 5 hours, depending on the number of stops and traffic. Both Rutas del Sol and COT offer multiple departures throughout the day, making it easy to choose one that fits your schedule.

Here are the usual departure times from Punta del Diablo to Montevideo (subject to slight variations depending on the season):

Rutas del Sol: 2:00 a.m., 5:45 a.m., 9:20 a.m, 1:50 p.m. and 7:10 p.m.
COT: 4:45 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 8:45 p.m.

These buses from Punta del Diablo to Montevideo are direct services to Montevideo’s Tres Cruces Terminal, the city’s main transportation hub. From there, you can easily connect to taxis, local buses, or even long-distance routes to other parts of Uruguay.

If you’re traveling in summer (December–March), expect more frequent departures — but also more passengers, so booking a day in advance remains the best move.

Colorful fishing boats lined up on Playa de los Pescadores in Punta del Diablo, ready for the next day’s catch. — Colorful fishing boats lined up on Playa de los Pescadores

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Visual of an iPhone mockup displaying a custom Uruguay Google Map, set against a beach scene with fishing boats on the sand.

Our journey

We took the 9:00 a.m. bus from Punta del Diablo to Montevideo, and after about 4 hours and 45 minutes, we arrived at Tres Cruces Terminal around 12:47 p.m.. The terminal is quite practical — it’s not just a major transport hub but also a shopping center, so you can easily grab food, exchange money, or buy a local SIM card right after arriving.

The bus itself was comfortable and modern, equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and a restroom. The only downside was the lack of USB charging ports, so make sure your devices are charged before boarding.

The trip went smoothly overall, though we did have a couple of memorable moments — a small child had an accident early in the trip, and later another passenger got a bit sick from what we assume was too much partying the night before. Luckily, he made it to the WC in time, but the smell definitely added some “character” to the ride.

Still, the bus made good time, and we reached Montevideo safely and ready to explore the city. It’s an easy and affordable way to travel between Punta del Diablo and Montevideo, even if not always the most glamorous one.

Busy Tres Cruces bus terminal in Montevideo with travelers waiting and buses lined up at the platforms — Tres Cruces bus terminal in Montevideo

Read: Our complete 10-day Uruguay Itinerary

Tres Cruces

The Tres Cruces Terminal is the main transportation hub in Montevideo — and actually the only bus terminal in the city. It’s located about 30 minutes from the Old Town (Ciudad Vieja), making it a convenient arrival point whether you’re staying downtown or near the coast.

Getting around from there is easy — there are plenty of local buses right outside the terminal, and taxis or rideshares are available at all hours.

What makes Tres Cruces especially convenient is that it’s not just a terminal — it’s also a shopping mall. Inside, you’ll find currency exchange offices, banks, ATMs, restaurants, cafés, and fast food chains, as well as clothing and souvenir shops. It’s the perfect spot to grab a coffee, withdraw money, or pick up a local SIM card before heading to your accommodation.

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About the authors

We are Alex and Tina, a French-Serbian couple who met in China back in 2014. We spent three incredible years there before making France our home. Our shared passion for travel has been the heartbeat of our relationship for over 12 years, taking us across 44 countries and counting.

We launched TheDailyPackers in 2019 as a way to document our adventures. In 2026, we reached a major milestone by officially turning our blog into our full-time job. While we are still growing toward financial independence through this platform, every article we write is fueled by our mission to make your voyages easier through in-depth guides, honest advice, and the lessons we’ve learned from our own mistakes.

Our journey has not been without its storms. In 2023, our world changed forever when our first son, Poppy, was stillborn on November 25th. It was, and remains, the hardest chapter of our lives. In 2025, we were blessed with our second little boy, Milo. He has since joined our traveling tribe, and you’ll be seeing him—and the reality of traveling with a little one-on the blog more and more.

We hope to inspire you to explore the world with curiosity and resilience. Thank you for being part of our story.