In a nutshell
- You can enter Uruguay without a visa for up to 90 days. By air, you’ll land at the international airport in Montevideo — or you can cross by ferry from Argentina in as little as 1.5 hours.
- The infrastructure in Uruguay is excellent. Getting around by car or bus is easy, and Uruguay is one of the safest countries in South America.
- The currency is the Uruguayan Peso (UYU) — 1 euro gets you roughly 45 UYU. Uruguay is pricey by South American standards, so budget accordingly.
- Read on for all our practical Uruguay travel tips — from the best time to visit to what to eat and how to stay healthy. Everything you need for your trip to Uruguay is right here.
Is a vacation in Uruguay worth it?
Uruguay is a country that very rarely makes the list for a South America trip. We ended up going to Uruguay rather spontaneously and by chance, but the country exceeded every expectation.
In Uruguay you’ll find stunning beaches, incredibly warm and laid-back people, and as a tourist you are more than welcome. A vacation here is absolutely worth it!
Since only a handful of international tourists make their way to Uruguay, it’s still a genuine under-the-radar destination, and you can’t help but experience the country from its authentic side.
Whether as a day trip from Buenos Aires, a road trip by car through Uruguay, or a beach vacation — if you have the chance, make sure to visit Uruguay.
Also check out our article on the most beautiful places to visit in Uruguay
Getting to Uruguay
There are no direct flights to Uruguay from most of Europe. You’ll need to count on at least one stopover.
Most routes go via Guarulhos Airport in São Paulo or the airports in Madrid and Paris. Prices for a flight from Europe are roughly 700–1,200 euros per flight.
We always search for flights using Skyscanner — it’s super easy to use and shows the best connections at a glance.
Search flights on Skyscanner
Entering Uruguay from Argentina
Another popular option is to visit Uruguay as part of an Argentina trip. From Buenos Aires, it takes 1.5 hours by ferry to reach Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay. The journey to Montevideo takes longer.
The ferry operators are Colonia Express and Buquebus. A ferry crossing costs 35–70 euros.
Entry into Uruguay
Like everything in Uruguay, entering the country is totally relaxed. At customs we only had to show our passport and didn’t have to answer a single question. And just like that, we got our stamp.
A valid passport is required for entry. You don’t need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. We didn’t have to show a return ticket or proof of onward travel.
Paying and Currency in Uruguay
The official currency in Uruguay is the Uruguayan Peso (UYU). 1 euro is worth roughly 45 UYU.
In many places you can pay by card. However, for bus rides, small shops, and some accommodations you’ll need cash — so make sure to withdraw some before heading out.
There are ATMs all over Uruguay. Unfortunately, bank fees there are quite high — usually around 6–7 euros per withdrawal.
Is Uruguay expensive?
Yes, Uruguay is an expensive country to travel in. Along with Chile, it’s considered the most expensive country in South America. Prices are broadly comparable to Western Europe.
Accommodation tends to be a bit cheaper than in Western Europe, supermarket prices are somewhat higher, and restaurants are roughly on the same level.
Accommodations in Uruguay
Accommodation prices in Uruguay are fairly high for a South American country, but still reasonable compared to Western Europe.
Prices are significantly more affordable during the off-season from April to October than during the high season from November to March.
You can get a double room in a basic hotel starting at 50 euros. Luxury hotels run between 150 and 300 euros per night. A hostel bed costs around 15 euros.
We always search for accommodation using Booking.com.
Find accommodation on Booking.com
Crime in Uruguay
Uruguay is one of the safest countries in South America and an overall safe travel destination. We never felt unsafe there.
In tourist areas along the coast, you can still walk the streets in the evening. In Montevideo and larger towns, however, you should avoid deserted alleyways after dark.
We never encountered any muggings or anything like that — but don’t push your luck. Trust your gut and keep an eye on your belongings.
Although the crime rate in Uruguay is rising, as a tourist you’re unlikely to notice much of it, as long as you stay aware and don’t get careless.
Getting Around in Uruguay
The infrastructure in Uruguay is excellent. You have several options for getting around during your trip. Since most towns are quite compact, you can usually explore on foot.
Uruguay by rental car
Uruguay is a fantastic country for a road trip by car. The roads are often quiet, and getting from A to B is straightforward. Road conditions are mostly good — just keep in mind that you’ll have to pay tolls on highways.
The easiest way to find a great deal on a rental car is to compare rental car prices on Discovercars.
Compare rental car deals on Discovercars
Uruguay by bus
Uruguay is very well connected by bus. Your central hub for intercity travel is the Terminal Tres Cruces in Montevideo. From there you have excellent connections to destinations throughout the country and to the airport.
There are several bus operators, and prices are similar across all of them. You can buy tickets at the terminal or online at Urubus — the price is the same either way.
In Montevideo, city buses are a great way to get around. A ride costs around 52 UYU, and you pay the driver in cash.
Language and Communication in Uruguay
The official language in Uruguay is Spanish. You’ll get by okay with English, but only to a moderate extent. Many people don’t speak English, though at popular tourist spots you can usually find someone who does.
Otherwise, gestures and body language go a long way. Uruguayans are very friendly and patient.
The Spanish in Uruguay is similar to Argentine Spanish. Instead of tú, vos is used, and the ll in llamar is pronounced like a sh. The closer you get to the border with Brazil, the more Portuguese influence you’ll notice in the local Spanish.
SIM Card, Internet & Power Outlets
If you’re staying in Uruguay for a while, it’s worth picking up a local SIM card. We recommend the providers Movistar or Claro. It’s best to buy your SIM at one of the provider’s stores, where you can choose from several plans. With Claro, for example, you get 6 gigabytes for around 6 euros.
A great alternative is an eSIM, which you can purchase before your trip.
If you’re only in Uruguay for a short time, you can get along fine without a local SIM. Especially in Montevideo, Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere — at main squares, bus terminals, and even on city buses.
We didn’t need a travel adapter in Uruguay — even though most websites say you do. We charged our phones using a standard Type C plug without any issues anywhere in the country.
That said, we always carry a travel adapter with multiple plug types just to be safe.
Best Time to Visit and Time Zones in Uruguay
Uruguay is a solid destination year-round, since it doesn’t get truly cold even in winter (May–September). It’s warmest in summer (November–February), which is peak travel season and the perfect time for a beach vacation.
That said, it can get very hot in summer, and the beaches can get crowded.
For a trip to Uruguay, we especially recommend the shoulder months of October and November as well as March through May. There’s much less going on during those times, yet it’s still warm enough to swim in the ocean.
Time zone in Uruguay
Uruguay is in the UTC-3 time zone and currently does not observe daylight saving time. Check the current time difference from your home country before you travel.
Food and Drink in Uruguay
Honestly, we didn’t get to try all that many typical dishes in Uruguay — but what we did have was great. As in Argentina, meat plays a starring role.
Typical dishes in Uruguay
- Chivito: Sandwich with egg and meat (the national dish)
- Empanadas: Pastry pockets with various fillings
- Asado: Grilled meat
- Dulce de leche: Sweet caramel cream, used widely in desserts and sweets
- Choripan: Bread roll with grilled sausage
- Torta frita: Fried bread, widely sold on the street
- Farinata: Pancake made from chickpea flour
Typical drinks in Uruguay
- Mate: Yerba tea filled with hot water — a national obsession
- Wine: Uruguay produces a lot of wine (mainly red) and locals drink it enthusiastically
- Grappamiel: An alcoholic drink made with honey
Vaccinations and Health in Uruguay
There are no mandatory vaccinations for Uruguay, but the Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended. If you’re staying for a longer period or want to be extra cautious, vaccinations against Hepatitis B, rabies, and typhoid are also worth considering.
Tap water in Uruguay
The tap water in Uruguay is generally safe to drink and of good quality. We’d still recommend checking with your accommodation whether the water in your specific area is safe — just to be sure.
Dengue fever in Uruguay
There is an increased risk of dengue fever in Uruguay. It’s transmitted by mosquitoes that are active both day and night. Your best protection is mosquito repellent — buy it locally, since repellents available in Uruguay are better suited to the local mosquitoes than ones you’d bring from home.
Food poisoning
You don’t have to worry too much about stomach issues in Uruguay. Unlike in some other South American countries like Colombia or Peru, the food in Uruguay is generally well-tolerated by visitors.
Healthcare system in Uruguay
The healthcare system in cities in Uruguay is very good. If you ever need to see a doctor or visit a hospital, you’ll be well taken care of. In smaller towns, however, medical care can be more limited.
We strongly recommend taking out travel health insurance before your trip. Medical treatment in Uruguay usually has to be paid for upfront out of pocket, so having insurance that covers reimbursement is really important.
