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Uruguay Travel Information

Here you will find important information which will help you to prepare your trip to Uruguguay: Entry and exit regulations, currency, climate and more. Enchanting colonial cities, extensive coastal lines and relaxing hot springs will await you there.
If you want to travel to Uruguay you need a passport valid for the espected duration of your stay. You are allowed to stay in Uruguay up to 90 days without visa. If you would like to extend your stay you may ask immigration authorities.
Travelers leaving Uruguay have to pay an airport tax of approx. US $25. This tax can already be included in the price of the plane ticket or it can be charged in cash. For the custom regulations at your reentry to Canada/UK please see special regulations at Global Affairs Canada or the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

When travelling to Uruguay you should make sure to have the routine vaccines recommended in your province or territory.

When planning a trip to Uruguay you should consider the following vaccinations against: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, influenza, measles and yellow fever.

For your travel to Uruguay no vaccination against yellow fever is needed.

Malaria
Uruguay is one of few countries in South America where no malaria risk exists in any region.

Dengue-Fever
Since 2016 autochthonous cases of Dengue-fever, especially in the capital Montevideo, have been reported. Dengue-virus gets transmitted by diurnal Aedes-mosquitos. The sickness has symptoms such as fever, skin rash and rheumatic pains and distinctive affects increasingly travelers. In rare cases, especially affecting children, there arise serious complications, in some cases resulting in death. Still, all in all complications don't occur oftenly for travelers. Neither a vaccination nor any other medical therapy has been produced until now.

It is recommendable if necessary taking into account the conclusion of a travel insurance policy which also covers the costs of a repatriation transport.

Most hospitals and other medical services in cities provide international standards. However outside the towns there might occur problems concerning hygiene, technical equipment and logistics.

Travel Facts for Uruguay

Due to the mild climate in Uruguay you can visit the country all year round. Still, the best travelling season is during the summer months from December until April, since the temperatures are higher than in the winter months. The rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the whole year, however the winter months are usually a little drier. Due to the slight differences in altitude the climate differs scarcely nationwide. Nevertheless you can take as a principle rule that in the coastal regions it is a bit cooler than in the interior.
Uruguay uses UTC -3 time zone without having daylight saving time.
The national currency is the Uruguayan peso; with one peso being divided into 100 centésimos. In most major towns it is possible to pay with credit card as well as receiving cash at ATMs. However, please take into consideration that in some places ATMs might only work partially. There won't be problems changing US-Dollars into Uruguayan pesos in exchange booths on-site. Exchange rate:
1 CAD = 27,67 Pesos (last updated: 11.09.2019)
1 £ = 44,99 Pesos (last updated: 11.09.2019)

Electricity
The electricity in Uruguay is 220 Volts with a frequency of 50 Hertz. Within the country different types of plugs are used, e.g. plugs of type 1, but also plugs being used in the US or Germany. Therefore it is recommendable to take an international travel adapter.

Telephone
The area code for calling to Uruguay is +598. There are pay phones almost everywhere and in many kiosks it is possible to buy national SIM cards. However in rural areas you should reckon with problems not only with the cellular radio system but also with the general telephone network.

Internet
Uruguay has the fastest internet connection in Latin America. In the large cities but also in most other places there are Cybercafés. Please take into account that there might occur problems with the internet connection in isolated and rural places.

Embassy of Canada (Montevideo)
Plaza Independencia 749, oficina 102, 11100 Montevideo, Uruguay
Tel.: +598 (2) 902-2030
Internet: www.uruguay.gc.ca British Embassy (Montevideo)
Marco Bruto 1073, 1300 Montevideo, Uruguay
Tel.: +598 2622 3630 or 2622 3650
Internet: www.gov.uk/contact-consulate-montevideo Important telephone numbers:
medical assistance: 105
police: 911
firefighters: 104

People & Landscape

With 176,215 km² Uruguay is the smallest Spanish-speaking country in South Amerika. The capital, Montevideo, is the economic, administrative and cultural center of the country and is one of the cities with the highest quality of life and security in South America. The population of Uruguay counts a number of about 3.38 mio. people with mainly European origins. The country has a presidential democracy with a directly elected president.

The official language in Uruguay is Spanish, however especially in the north of the country you will find Portuguese influences. Hence in the border zones a new mix language - "Portuñol" - has developped. The colloquial language of the Uruguayans is called "Río-de-la-Plata-Spanish" and is also spoken in Argentina.

The cultural life of Uruguay is influenced especially by European impacts. But there are other special qualities Uruguay can pride itself: Not only Argentinians invented tango; the probably most sensual dance has its origins in the African slaves who used to live in Buenos Aires but as well in Montevideo. Besides the "hymn" of tango "La Cumparsita" was written by the Uruguayan Gerardo Matos Rodríguez. Moreover one of the most famous tango-personalites, Carlos Cardel, was also born in Uruguay. With a duration of 40 days the Uruguayan carnival is one of the longest in the world and a cultural highlight of the country.

Approximately half of the Uruguayans are catholic which is little compared to other Latin American countries. There is a separation of state and church therefore church does not have much influence on the social life.

Playa Colonia
Vintage
Colonia del Sacramento
The Uruguayan countryside is comparable with Argentine pampas and provides fertile soils. The south of the country is flat, but falls steeply in the coastal areas. The countryside is characterized by hills scarcely being higher than 500 m. Uruguay is marked by its beautiful colonial towns like Colonia del Sacramento which was declared a UNESCO world heritage. On the streets made of cobblestones drive innumerable vintage cars and bring travelers into a distant world. In addition Uruguay is characterized by an unspoiled coastal line where it is delightful to relax. In the wide planes of the pampas travelers can enjoy the peace in Estancias (farms) and may get to see real Gauchos (South American cowboys).

Uruguay also has an interesting wildlife: You will be able to see jacaranda trees, cedars, cypresses and eucalyptus trees. There is also a possibility to spot bobcats, anteaters, armadillos as well as different bird species such as parakeets and hummingbirds.

The Uruguayan kitchen is similar to the Argentine kitchen. Almost everywhere you will find Parrilladas (grill rooms) where they sell different variations of steaks or Chorizos (spicy barbecue sausage) and Morcillas (grilled blood sausage). Another typical dish is "Chivito", a type of sandwich with bacon, egg, chillies and beef. Moreover due to the strong European influence in many places also pizza and pasta are offered in restaurants. Along the Atlantic coastal line menus with fish and seaefood are also popular.

Locals cannot go without Mate-tea; the Matera (drinking-vessel) gets filled often with hot water and with the Bombilla (induction pipe) people drink their delicious tea. This procedure has become a daily ritual of each Uruguayan.
Uruguay also has to offer some alcoholic drinks such as Cleric, a mix of white wine and juice or classic Cerveza (beer).

If you are well informed about Uruguay now, have a look at our Trips to Uruguay or contact our team.

Current Situation
Please keep in mind, that the security situation at place can change at any time. Therefore we recommend to have a look at the current safety information at Global Affairs Canada or Foreign and Commonwealth Office. 

Exclusion of Liability
Those who choose to travel do so entirely at their own risk. SC Travel Adventures endeavours to inform tourists of the risks involved with travelling but cannot be held liable for any events which occur outside of their direct control. Tourists are advised to avoid areas considered unsafe, remain vigilant and cautious at all times throughout their stay, and heed the advice of local authorities.