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Time

The Basics

Time: GMT -3 (GMT -2 from October to March).

Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. There are various types of plugs in use, including ‘Schuko’ plugs and receptacles with side grounding contacts, and the plugs commonly used in Australia.

Money: The official currency of Uruguay is the Uruguayan Peso (UYU), but US Dollars are also accepted by some tourist businesses, retailers and taxi drivers. The peso is divided into 100 centécimos. Currency can be exchanged at banks and Money Exchange Shops, which both offer similar exchange rates. Exchange rates tend to fluctuate frequently. There are plenty of ATMs available in shopping centres and attached to banks in commercial areas, but not all cards are accepted. Credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club, are widely accepted by shops and restaurants. Travellers cheques are easiest to exchange if in US Dollars.

Currency Exchange Rates

UYU 1.00 =

A$ 0.05

C$ 0.05

€ 0.04

NZ$ 0.06

£ 0.03

US$ 0.05

R 0.42

Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.

Language: The official language is Spanish.

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements for Americans: US citizens require a passport, but a visa is not required for a stay of up to three months. Entry requirements for UK nationals: All British nationals require a passport for travel to Uruguay. A visa is not required for a stay of up to three months for all British passport holders. Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians require a passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to three months. Entry requirements for Australians: Australians require a passport, but a visa is not required for a stay of up to three months. Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans require a passport, but a visa is not required for a stay of up to three months. Entry requirements for New Zealand nationals: New Zealand nationals require a passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to three months.

Passport/Visa Note: All visitors to Uruguay must hold an onward or return ticket and documents for next destination. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Travel Health: Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for visitors to Uruguay, and visitors are advised to take precautions against mosquito bites because of a high risk of dengue fever. Medical facilities in Uruguay are adequate for general problems, with 24-hour emergency care available at the British Hospital in Montevideo. Most doctors and hospitals expect payment in cash. Serious medical problems require air evacuation to a country with better medical facilities, therefore travel health insurance is strongly recommended. Pharmacies supply most drugs and medications imported from the USA or Europe, many of which are available without a prescription. Visitors are advised to take sensible precautions regarding the consumption of food and water; bottled or purified water should be used, and food should be eaten washed, peeled and/or well cooked.

Tipping: Tipping is discretionary in Uruguay, but a gratuity of between 5% and 10% of the bill is usually offered in restaurants. Rounding up the bill is sufficient for taxi drivers, and hotel porters receive about US$1 per bag.

Safety Information: Visits to Uruguay are generally trouble free, with a low risk of terrorism and no political instability. There are occurrences of street crime in Montevideo, but police patrols are active and act as a good deterrent. Visitors should, however, take sensible precautions with their valuables and when using ATMs.

Local Customs: Uruguay is a secular and progressive state, and is welcoming to gay and lesbian visitors. Avoid making critical comments about the country, or comparing it to Argentina, Chile and Paraguay. In conversation, Uruguayans are direct and stand close together, and it is considered rude to back away. Close acquaintances may greet with a kiss on the cheek, but a handshake will suffice for introductions. While gender equality is progressive in Uruguay, women may experience a fair amount of attention, including staring and comments, that can at times border on harassment but is largely ignored.

Business: Uruguayans enjoy discussing politics and answering questions about their country. Meetings tend to be highly formal but seldom start on time. Most businessmen speak English but always arrange for an interpreter as a sign of consideration.

Communications: The international direct dialling code for Uruguay is +598. The government-operated telephone service is efficient. Area codes are in use for cities, e.g. (0)2 for Montevideo. ANTEL is the major mobile phone operator and a GSM 1800 network is available with good coverage in urban areas. Internet cafes are available in Montevideo and the main towns.

Duty free: Visitors to Uruguay do not need to pay customs duty on 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500g of tobacco; two litres of alcohol; two items of electrical or optical equipment (including cameras); and up to 5kg of foodstuffs.