Modern remote measurement techniques using cameras mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) have made possible to acquire high-resolution images and estimating evapotranspiration at more detailed spatial and temporal scales. The objective of the present research was to estimate crop evapotranspiration (ETc) of rice crop using the “mapping evapotranspiration with internalized calibration model (METRIC)” using high spatial resolution multispectral and thermal images obtained from a UAV. A total of 18 flights with UAV were performed to get the images; likewise, data were collected from the weather station and thermocouple information installed in the crop canopy under soil water potential conditions of –10 kPa (T1), –15 kPa (T2), –20 kPa (T3) and a control of 0 kPa (T0), from November 13, 2017, to April 30, 2018. The results indicate that the METRIC model compared to ETc measurements recorded by a field drainage lysimeter presents a Pearson correlation coefficient (r) of 0.97, root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.51 mm d–1, Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient (EF) of 0.87 and underestimation of 7 %. Evapotranspiration reached values of 7.48 mm d–1, with differences between treatments of 0.2 %, 6 % and 8 % concerning to T0 and yield reduction of 9 %, 34 % and 35 % for T1, T2 and T3 soil water potential. The high-resolution images allowed obtaining detailed information on the spatial variability of ETc that could be used in the more efficient application of plot irrigation.