Everything a Traveler Needs to Know About Uruguay
- katherine meyer
- Mar 9
- 8 min read
Uruguay is a sovereign and democratic country in South America.
It borders Argentina to the southwest (separated by the Uruguay River) and Brazil to the northeast.
It covers 176,215 km² and has 672 km of coastline, of which 452 km belong to the Río de la Plata and 220 km to the Atlantic Ocean.
It is divided into 19 departments: Montevideo, Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado (Punta del Este), Paysandú, Río Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San José, Soriano, Tacuarembó, and Treinta y Tres.
During the colonial era, Uruguay was known as "La Banda Oriental." Its inhabitants are referred to as "los charrúas," due to the Charrúa indigenous people who lived in these lands many centuries ago. Unfortunately, they were either exterminated or displaced during the colonial period.
Population:
Uruguay has a population of approximately 3.5 million people.
Its capital is Montevideo, which is also the most populated city, with 1.4 million inhabitants.
In terms of ethnic composition, the majority of the population is of European descent (57% Spanish, 22% Italian, and the rest British, German, French, Portuguese, Swiss, Russian, Polish, etc.), while the mestizo population makes up only 8%.
Since its independence in 1830, Uruguay has been a country of immigration and continues to be, though to a lesser extent than before, mainly attracting Argentine, Brazilian, Peruvian, and more recently, Venezuelan immigrants.
An interesting fact is that there are more women (51.57%) than men (48.43%).
Language:
The main language is Spanish.
In the northeastern border with Brazil, Portuguese and "Portuñol"—a mix of Spanish and Portuguese—are also spoken.
A significant part of the population speaks basic English as a second language.
Currency:
The national currency is the Uruguayan Peso (UYU), although US dollars are also used for certain transactions, such as hotels, appliances, real estate, etc.
The current exchange rate can be checked at Banco República www.brou.com.uy or at exchange houses like www.cambio18.com or www.indumex.com, where better rates are often available.
Tip: Before exchanging money, it's always a good idea to ask how much you would get for the amount you want to exchange. For example: How many Uruguayan pesos would I get for 300 dollars? Sometimes, this can result in a better exchange rate.
Taxes:
In Uruguay, the basic tax rate (VAT) is 22%, while certain products and services have a reduced rate of 10%.
Airport:
Official Name: Carrasco International Airport
Aeronautical Code: MVD
For any inquiries, there is a very practical 24-hour chat service available on their website.
Address: Ruta 101 km 19.950, CP 14.000, Canelones, Uruguay
Phone: (+598) 2604 0329WhatsApp: (+598) 91 114 061
Flight Information: (+598) 2601 4852 and 2601 1991
For any inquiries, there is a very practical 24-hour chat service available on their website.
Fun Fact: It is called the "Montevideo" airport, but it is actually located in the neighboring department of Canelones, next to Montevideo.
Weather:
Uruguay has a temperate climate with four seasons:
Summer (December – January – February)
Autumn (March – April – May)
Winter (June – July – August)
Spring (September – October – November)
January is the warmest month (average of 22.6°C), while July is the coldest (10.6°C).
Rainfall is abundant, with the highest levels recorded in spring and autumn.
To check the weather in Uruguay, the official website is: https://www.inumet.gub.uy/
One of my favorite websites for checking the weather anywhere in the world is: https://weather.com/
Economy:
The main economic resources are agriculture, forestry, and livestock farming.
Uruguay is a major exporter of wool and beef. Uruguayan beef is considered one of the best in the world.
In 2022, from January to October, the meat sector exported more than 2.3 billion dollars.
The main export destinations are:
China (57%)
The United States-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement (13%)
The European Union (12%)
Mercosur (5%)
Israel (3%)
Japan (2%)
Uruguay’s per capita beef consumption is 53 kg per person per year, placing the country second in the world for beef consumption.
Fun fact: There are more cows than people…!
In 2018, there were almost 12 million heads of cattle and 3.4 million people—about 3.5 cows per person!
Precious Stones:
Uruguay is also globally recognized as a producer and exporter of two types of quartz gemstones: amethysts and agates.
The largest amethyst deposits are located 70 kilometers south of Artigas, a city in the north of the country. The stones are of very high quality due to their intense violet color.
Another very important sector of Uruguay's economy is tourism..
For example, in 2019, more than 3 million tourists visited Uruguay.
Because of this, non-resident tourists (and residents as well) enjoy many tourism benefits.
For non-residents, there is zero VAT on hotels and accommodations, and a 9% tax discount when paying with a credit or debit card for any gastronomic service (restaurants, cafés, tea houses, etc.), as well as for car rentals (without a driver).
Uruguay also has a TAX-FREE system, allowing visitors to receive a refund on taxes paid for purchases made at participating stores. The process must be completed at the time of purchase, and the required documentation must be presented upon leaving the country, such as at Carrasco Airport.
For more information about these benefits, visit the Uruguayan Ministry of Tourism website:https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-turismo/
Proud Facts:
It is the 1st country in Latin America with the highest literacy rate, at 98.7%.
It ranks 21st on the list of countries with the lowest perception of corruption, making it the second-best in the Americas after Canada.
It is the third country in Latin America with the highest Human Development Index and ranks 54th worldwide.
It is the fourth country in Latin America with the highest life expectancy. The average life expectancy is almost 78 years, with 74 for men and 81 for women.
In 2008, Uruguay was ranked as the "most peaceful" country in Latin America by the Latino Barómetro corporation.
It was classified as the best country in Latin America to live in and one of the 20 safest countries in the world, according to the American magazine International Living.
It has been called "the Switzerland of America."
Pioneers:
Uruguay has also been a pioneer on a global level: it established the right to divorce in 1907 and was one of the first countries to introduce women’s suffrage in 1927.
In 1877, a law was enacted to establish an educational system that is free, mandatory, and secular. In Uruguay, public schools, high schools (liceos), and university degrees are free. Of course, there are also private institutions, but the fact that anyone can access a free public university is worth highlighting.
Marijuana: In 2013, cannabis was legalized through a law to regulate the market, production, and commercialization for both recreational and medicinal use.
Cigarettes: In 2006, a law was enacted to regulate and restrict the consumption, sale, and advertising of tobacco products, making Uruguay the first Latin American country to ban smoking in enclosed public spaces. The law also introduced packaging restrictions, graphic health warnings, a ban on tobacco sponsorships, and high taxes. These measures were implemented to combat smoking, which was one of the leading causes of tobacco-related deaths, affecting 1 in 4 Uruguayans.
In 2009, the law was expanded to prohibit the import, registration, sale, and advertising of electronic cigarettes. In 2023, a new project was under review to ban the disposal of cigarette butts in public spaces.
Thanks to these laws, tobacco consumption in Uruguay has steadily declined, and today, it is rare to see people smoking.
Uruguay Natural:
Water:
Uruguay has 99% access to drinking water, making it the only country in Latin America to achieve near-universal coverage of safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.
Uruguay is located in the Guarani Aquifer, which, along with Brazil and Argentina, forms one of the largest freshwater reserves in the world. mundo.
Electricity:
Since 2007, Uruguay has undergone a structural and cultural shift, focusing on renewable energy generation. In April 2021, for the second consecutive year, the country was the best-ranked Latin American nation in the global index.
By the end of 2019, the International Energy Agency (IEA) ranked Uruguay as the leader in Latin America in energy production and fourth in the world in terms of electricity generation from wind and solar sources.
Curious and Important Fact:
97% of Uruguay's electricity comes from clean energy, mainly hydropower and wind energy, as well as, to a lesser extent, biomass and solar energy.
Football
Football (soccer) was introduced to Uruguay by English immigrants in the 1880s.
Despite being a small country with a low population, Uruguay has always excelled in football, which is its main sport.
The first FIFA World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930, with Uruguay emerging as the champion. Uruguay won the World Cup in 1930 and again in Brazil in 1950, where the famous Maracanazo took place. The country was also Olympic world champion, winning gold in Paris 1924 and Amsterdam 1928.
After a decline between 1974 and 2006, Uruguay experienced a resurgence, finishing 3rd in South Africa 2010 and 5th in Russia 2018.
On June 11, 2023, Uruguay became the U-20 World Champion, a football generation that promises many victories and joy for Uruguayans in the years to come.s años venideros...
Means of Transportation:
Buses
Taxis – Tel. 1919
Uber
Car Rental:
The most well-known international companies that offer car rentals in Uruguay (also called "coches" locally) are Hertz, Europcar, Avis, and Alamo.
At the local level, you can find national companies (which may offer better prices) such as Team, Puntacar, etc.
As price comparison tools, I recommend:
Cell Phone Tip:
In Uruguay, there are very affordable mobile internet plans. If you are staying for more than a week, I recommend buying a local SIM card, as it will be cheaper than using your home country's daily service.
It's very simple, you just need to buy a SIM card and top it up. It’s best to ask about current promotions before recharging. The companies I recommend for purchasing these SIM cards are mainly Antel, with Movistar as a second option.
Health Tip:
Uruguay has an emergency and out-of-hospital medical care service called SEMM, which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.a.
Members have access to emergency and urgent care, dental emergencies, 24-hour telephone assistance, and nationwide coverage throughout Uruguay.
I find this service very useful and extremely necessary for travelers, as they can subscribe without a contract—simply pay the monthly fee and cancel whenever they want.
Although health insurance is mandatory, I find this service affordable and highly effective, whether for a quick consultation about any issues that may arise, without needing to go to a hospital and deal with all the paperwork, payments, and reimbursements.
Here is the website if you want to check the details and available plans, including family plans, which offer even better prices.
Safety Tip:
Although I consider Uruguay a safe and peaceful country, like in any tourist city, thefts such as pickpocketing can occur.
In crowded places, such as tourist spots, markets, or even the beach, my recommendation is not to leave your belongings unattended, including purses, backpacks, wallets, or cell phones.
Another important tip is not to leave valuables or visible objects, such as backpacks or valuable items, inside vehicles.
Useful Phone Numbers:
Dialing code for Uruguay: +598
911 or 109 – Police (Radiopatrulla)
104 – Firefighters
487 40 00 – Poison Control
To conclude, I leave you with a website that I find very useful for travelers: "Uruguay Natural", where you can find all kinds of tourist information.
I hope this collection of information has been interesting and useful to you.
See you soon, travelers!
Katherine
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