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Uruguay🇺🇾 | attractionsMuseo Andes 1972Andes crash story, survivor testimony, personal belongings, Ciudad Vieja | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Museo Andes 1972
👍 Recommendedattraction ranked #6
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Museo Andes 1972 tells the story of the Uruguayan rugby team whose plane crashed in the Andes in October 1972, and how sixteen of the forty-five people aboard survived 72 days in the snow. The part travelers overlook is how quiet and personal it feels: the displays are mostly belongings, photographs and a fuselage fragment, and the survivors’ own account carries the weight, so you leave thinking about decisions rather than spectacle. It sits in Uruguay’s capital, in the Ciudad Vieja, a short walk from Plaza Matriz. It is small, so an hour or so covers it, and that is the right amount. Crowds are thin. Worth the entry price if you read the panels; skip it if you only want a quick photo. Bring your passport-free curiosity and check the opening days before you walk over, since hours are limited.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #6 attraction in UruguayWhat makes this attraction worth visiting

Museo Andes 1972 gives you the one version of the Andes flight disaster that is told from the Uruguayan side, by people who lived it. The 16 survivors of the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crash are central to the story, and the displays include personal items, photographs and the context of the 72 days on the glacier. Reading it in Montevideo, where the Old Christians rugby club players and their families came from, changes how the film and book versions land. It is also a rare Montevideo stop that carries real emotional weight without needing a long day. The Ciudad Vieja location lets you pair it with a walk to the Rambla or lunch at the Mercado del Puerto, which balances the heaviness. If you are crossing between Argentina and Chile or have seen the Andes route, this fills in the human … read more 👉
Museo Andes 1972 gives you the one version of the Andes flight disaster that is told from the Uruguayan side, by people who lived it. The 16 survivors of the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crash are central to the story, and the displays include personal items, photographs and the context of the 72 days on the glacier. Reading it in Montevideo, where the Old Christians rugby club players and their families came from, changes how the film and book versions land. It is also a rare Montevideo stop that carries real emotional weight without needing a long day. The Ciudad Vieja location lets you pair it with a walk to the Rambla or lunch at the Mercado del Puerto, which balances the heaviness. If you are crossing between Argentina and Chile or have seen the Andes route, this fills in the human part that the landscape cannot explain. Go with some time to read slowly.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while visiting Museo Andes 1972

  1. The crash story exhibit: The core display follows the flight from Montevideo in October 1972 to the impact on the glacier, using maps and timelines that make the route and altitude clear.
  2. Survivor testimony: Recorded and written accounts give the 16 survivors’ own words, which carry more weight than any summary.
  3. Personal belongings: Items from the passengers and their families put faces to the names, and they are the most affecting part of the visit.
  4. The rescue section: Shows how two survivors crossed the mountains on foot to find help, and how the others were reached afterward.
  5. Photographs from the glacier: Images taken during and after the ordeal show the cold, the wreckage and the terrain without embellishment.
  6. The memorial wall: A quiet space remembers the 29 people who did not come home, and
… read more 👉
  1. The crash story exhibit: The core display follows the flight from Montevideo in October 1972 to the impact on the glacier, using maps and timelines that make the route and altitude clear.
  2. Survivor testimony: Recorded and written accounts give the 16 survivors’ own words, which carry more weight than any summary.
  3. Personal belongings: Items from the passengers and their families put faces to the names, and they are the most affecting part of the visit.
  4. The rescue section: Shows how two survivors crossed the mountains on foot to find help, and how the others were reached afterward.
  5. Photographs from the glacier: Images taken during and after the ordeal show the cold, the wreckage and the terrain without embellishment.
  6. The memorial wall: A quiet space remembers the 29 people who did not come home, and most visitors slow down here.
  7. The Old Christians context: Explains the rugby club and school behind the team, which helps explain why the group stayed so close afterward.
  8. The Rambla: A few blocks away, the waterfront promenade is a good place to decompress, with locals walking, cycling and sharing mate.
The museum pairs easily with the Rambla in a single afternoon, since the walk to the water clears your head after the exhibits.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Museo Andes 1972

Museo Andes 1972 / Crash Memorial Admission Ticket

Museo Andes 1972 / Crash Memorial Admission Ticket

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🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

Museo Andes 1972 is open year-round, and the museum is indoors, so weather matters mostly for the walk around the Ciudad Vieja and the waterfront.
  • Summer (December to February): Highs of 26 to 30°C (79 to 86°F), long evenings, and the busiest beach crowds in Montevideo. Accommodation prices peak, and the museum is quieter than the sand.
  • Autumn (March to May): Mild days of 18 to 24°C (64 to 75°F) and fewer visitors. Good for walking around the Ciudad Vieja after your visit.
  • Winter (June to August): Cool and damp, 8 to 15°C (46 to 59°F), with short days and rain. Beds are cheapest, and a museum visit fits a wet afternoon well.
  • Spring (September to November): Warming from 14 to 22°C (57 to 72°F), with changeable skies and moderate prices.
Go on a weekday morning for the calmest rooms, and check the opening days before you set out.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: good for travelingFEBFebruary: good for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: good for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: good for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

Ciudad Vieja and Centro are the best bases, with Pocitos as the quieter, more residential alternative.
Ciudad Vieja, the old walled peninsula, holds most of Montevideo’s backpacker beds. Dorms cluster around Plaza Independencia and Plaza Matriz, so you can walk to cafes, the port market, and bus connections. It is lively by day and fairly empty after dark on some side streets, so take a taxi or ride-hailing car late at night rather than wandering alone.
Centro, along Avenida 18 de Julio, is a step up in energy. Hostels here put you near the main bus lines, the Tres Cruces terminal, and plenty of … read more 👉
Ciudad Vieja and Centro are the best bases, with Pocitos as the quieter, more residential alternative.
Ciudad Vieja, the old walled peninsula, holds most of Montevideo’s backpacker beds. Dorms cluster around Plaza Independencia and Plaza Matriz, so you can walk to cafes, the port market, and bus connections. It is lively by day and fairly empty after dark on some side streets, so take a taxi or ride-hailing car late at night rather than wandering alone.
Centro, along Avenida 18 de Julio, is a step up in energy. Hostels here put you near the main bus lines, the Tres Cruces terminal, and plenty of inexpensive eateries, and the area is easy to leave for the rest of the city. Expect traffic noise.
Pocitos is a coastal neighborhood with a long rambla, a beach, and a calmer, safer feel for solo travelers who want sleep over nightlife. Fewer hostels, but guesthouses and apartments are common. Buses to the museum area run regularly from all three neighborhoods, so you are never far from it.
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👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)How expensive it really is

A day around Museo Andes 1972 costs roughly US$43 to 83 for a backpacker in Montevideo, including a dorm bed in high season.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Museum entryUS$4 to 8US$8 for adults, less for seniors and young visitors.
Dorm bed (high season)US$18 to 30Peak summer prices in Ciudad Vieja and Centro.
Dorm bed (low season)US$12 to 20Winter months are noticeably cheaper.
Local transportUS$1 to 5City buses are paid with a rechargeable card; a short taxi or ride-hailing trip costs more.
FoodUS$15 to 30A set lunch (menú del día) or chivito sandwich is the economical choice.
ExtrasUS$5 to 10Coffee, snacks, and a souvenir or two.
Total Daily BudgetUS$43 to 83Pesos are used locally; cards are widely accepted.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQFrequently asked questions about Museo Andes 1972

Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours at Museo Andes 1972 to read the displays and take in the story at an unhurried pace. The museum sits in Montevideo, so a half-day with a stroll along the Rambla or a lunch at the nearby Mercado del Puerto works well. Weekday mornings are the calmest.
Yes for most travelers, since Museo Andes 1972 charges US$8 for adults, for a focused and moving look at the 1972 Andes plane crash survivors. It takes under two hours, so the cost per hour is low compared with bigger Montevideo attractions. Anyone interested in the story gets the most from it.
Museo Andes 1972 is in the Ciudad Vieja of Montevideo, a short walk from most hostels there, or a short city bus ride from Centro, with fares around US$1 using a rechargeable card. A taxi or ride-hailing car from the center costs roughly US$5 to 10. From the airport in Carrasco, it is a short drive of about 20 to 30 minutes.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Uruguayan attractions near Museo Andes 1972

Explore more nearby:

  • Teatro Solís—Horseshoe auditorium, gilded foyers, Comedia Nacional, backstage tour| 0 km away
  • Museo del Carnaval—Candombe drums, murga masks, sequined costumes, llamadas| 1 km away
  • Museo del Azulejo—Decorative tiles, French and Catalan panels, facade fragments, tile murals| 1 km away

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We 💚 feedbackParting advice and final tips

Museo Andes 1972 needs about one to one and a half hours, and it is best done early in your Montevideo stay so the story colors the rest of the city. I would read the panels slowly, skip a rushed visit, and keep the afternoon free for the Rambla afterward.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Uruguay. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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