Uruguay

Government advisories

• ☐ United States: level 2/4 — Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
• ☐ United Kingdom: level 1/4
• ☐ Canada: level 1/4 — Exercise normal security precautions (with regional advisories)

Health notices

• ☐ Global Measles (level 1)
• ☐ Tap water: generally safe to drink

Entry requirements

☐ Visitors to Uruguay must obtain a visa from one of the Uruguayan diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries.

Practical

• ☐ Plug type C/F/I/L, 230V — bring an adapter if yours differs
• ☐ Drives on the right
• ☐ Emergency (police): 911
• ☐ Emergency (ambulance): 911
• ☐ Emergency (fire): 911
• ☐ Money: The Uruguayan currency is the peso (ISO code: UYU). Prices are quoted using the U$ symbol, which may be easily confused with the US dollar symbol.
• ☐ Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory. Usually 10% in restaurants will be enough. Tipping taxi drivers is entirely optional.

Laws that could get a tourist arrested

• ☐ Cannabis Possession Limits — Possession of minor quantities is not penalized. Possession of major quantities, such as one kilogram, is illegal and punishable by law.
• ☐ Cannabis Legalization Restrictions — Legal sale, growth, and distribution for personal use is restricted to Uruguayan citizens aged 18 and older with legal capacity.
• ☐ Driving Under the Influence — Driving with any blood alcohol level greater than zero is prohibited. Driving under the influence of marijuana is also prohibited and carries a fine.
• ☐ Public Smoking Ban — Smoking is prohibited in all public enclosed spaces throughout the country. Violation of this policy carries fines.

Before you go

General trip-prep, not specific to Uruguay — the same short list applies anywhere.

• ☐ Register with your embassy's traveler program if one exists
• ☐ Check your passport's validity and blank-page requirements on your destination's official entry-rules page
• ☐ Photograph/screenshot your passport, visa, and travel insurance documents
• ☐ Download offline maps for your destination
• ☐ Confirm your bank/card issuer knows you're traveling
• ☐ Check whether your phone plan needs a travel add-on or a local SIM