TRAVEL WARNING
Country-specific safety information
Crime
The police statistics of the Uruguayan Ministry of the Interior show a noticeable increase in crime in Montevideo in recent years. The focus is on robbery and theft, increasingly involving gun violence.
Armed robberies of restaurants in better residential areas of Montevideo are on the rise. Certain streets and quarters of the old town and the center are particularly critical, especially outside business hours, but also the nightlife areas Punta Carretas and Pocitos. In general, however, you should walk in groups of several people, if possible not wear handbags, camera and jewelry, or at least not wear them visibly. In the old town (Ciudad Vieja), smaller alleys off the main routes should be avoided during the day. Particular caution is advised in the vicinity of the hostels at night.
MONEY
Currency
1 Uruguayan Peso = 100 Centésimos. Currency abbreviations: $ U, UYU (ISO code). Banknotes are available in denominations of 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20 NU $; Coins with denominations of 10, 5, 2 and 1 NU $ as well as 50, 20 and 10 centésimos.
Credit cards
American Express, MasterCard, Diners Club and Visa are accepted by better hotels, restaurants and shops. Details from the issuer of the credit card in question. In Montevideo, numerous taxis can be paid for cashless using reading devices.
ATMs
Maestro card / Sparcard / ec cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are accepted throughout Europe and worldwide. Further information from banks and credit institutes.
Attention: Travelers who pay with their bank card abroad and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.
Bank opening times
Mon-Fri 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Foreign exchange regulations
No restrictions. When importing national or foreign currencies, there is a declaration obligation from an equivalent value of 10,000 US dollars.
Currency Exchange
The exchange should preferably be made in banks or exchange offices (Casas de Cambio); the exchange rate is usually less favorable when exchanging in hotels. The rate of inflation is lower than most other South American countries, but exchange rates fluctuate frequently.
LANGUAGE
Overview
The official language is Spanish in Uruguay, a country located in South America according to homosociety. English is also spoken in vacation spots.
Idioms
- Eight = Ocho
- Eighty = ochenta
- Goodbye = Chau
- Exit = Salida
- Beer = Cerveza
- Please = Por favor
- Thank you very much = Gracias
- Tuesday = Martes
- Thursday = Jueves
- Doctor = Médico
- Thirty = Treinta
- Three = Tres
- One = Un / uno / una
- Entrance = Entrada
- One hundred = cien
- One thousand = mil
- Friday = Viernes
- Five = Cinco
- Fifty = cincuenta
- Danger = Peligro
- Open = Abierto
- Closed = Cerrado
- Good morning = Buenos Dias
- Hello = Buenas Tardes’
- Good evening = Buenas Noches
- Hello = hola
- Today = Hoy
- Hotel = hotel
- I do not understand that. = No entiendo
- I feel sick = Me encuentro times
- Yes = Sí
- My name is…?? = Me llamo…
- I’m fine. = Estoy muy bien
- Wednesday = Miércoles
- Monday = Lunes
- Tomorrow = Mañana
- Nine = Nueve
- Ninety = noventa
- No = no
- Restaurant = restaurants
- Saturday = Sábado
- Six = Seis
- Sixty = Sesenta
- Seven = pages
- Seventy = setenta
- Sunday = Domingo
- Menu = Carta
- Do you speak German / English? = ¿Habla alemán / inglés?
- Excellent! = Chevere!
- Toilets = servicios
- Forty = Cuarenta
- Four = Cuatro
- Wine = vino
- How are you? = ¿Qué tal estás?
- How much is it? = ¿Cuánto it?
- Where is …? = ¿Dónde está?
- Ten = Diez
- Twenty = United
- Two = Dos
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Annotation
Numerous shops are closed during Carnival week (including Ash Wednesday) and at Easter.
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Overview
The following articles can be imported into Uruguay duty-free (people over 18 years):
400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500 g of tobacco;
2 l alcoholic beverages;
5 kg of food (meat products only as fully canned).
Note: People under the age of 18 are entitled to duty-free import of 50% of the specified quantities.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Summers (December-March) are pleasant and winters are mild. The other seasons offer sunny days and cool nights.
