Uruguay Travel Guide 🇺🇾
Everything a traveler should know before visiting Uruguay — Montevideo, Colonia del Sacramento, Punta del Este, beaches & wine regions
🌤 Live Weather — Montevideo
Weather updates automatically when page loads.
📌 Quick Facts
🏙 Capital Montevideo
🌊 Highlights Coastal promenades · beaches · wine estates
💱 Currency Uruguayan Peso (UYU)
🗣 Language Spanish
⏱ Time Zone GMT−3
🔌 Plug Type Type C · F · L — 220V
Famous for: Colonia’s UNESCO old town · mate culture · Atlantic beaches · relaxed lifestyle
🛂 Visa & Entry Rules
Visa-free for many nationalities
Passport valid 6+ months
Onward ticket
- Entry duration limits apply
- Travel insurance recommended
- Border crossings by ferry / road possible
Confirm entry rules depending on your nationality.
🗓 Best Time to Visit
🌞 Dec–Feb Peak beach season
🍂 Mar–Apr Pleasant shoulder season
🌤 Sep–Nov Mild spring weather
❄️ Jun–Aug Cool winter & quieter tourism
Punta del Este is busiest in summer months.
💰 Average Trip Budget
- 🎒 Budget — $45–70 / ₹3,700–₹5,800 per day
- 🏨 Mid-Range — $90–150 / ₹7,500–₹12,500 per day
- 👑 Luxury — $200+ / ₹16,600+ per day
Beach towns & resorts are pricier in high season.
🗺 Top Places to Visit
Montevideo
Colonia del Sacramento
Punta del Este
José Ignacio
Carmelo Wine Region
Piriápolis
🚇 Transport & Getting Around
- Intercity buses
- Ferry from Buenos Aires to Colonia / Montevideo
- Taxis & rideshare in cities
- Car rentals for coastal routes
Road network is good — distances are manageable.
📶 Mobile SIM & Internet
- Providers — Antel · Claro · Movistar
- Tourist SIMs available at airports
- Good coverage in urban areas
- Limited in remote coastal stretches
Download offline maps for long coastal drives.
💵 Money & Payments
- Cards widely accepted
- Cash needed for small shops & markets
- ATMs widely available
- USD sometimes accepted in tourist zones
Keep small denominations for buses & kiosks.
🍽 Food & Local Cuisine
- Asado (grilled meats)
- Chivito sandwich
- Empanadas
- Milanesa
- Uruguayan wines & mate
🎊 Festivals & Events
- Carnival (Montevideo)
- Beer & wine festivals
- Gaucho cultural events
- Music & seaside summer festivals
🛡 Safety & Travel Awareness
- Generally safe & relaxed
- Take routine precautions in cities
- Keep belongings secure on beaches
- Use licensed taxis / rideshare
Uruguay is one of the safest South American destinations.
🎒 What to Pack
- Light summer clothing
- Jacket for evenings
- Beachwear & sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes
🌡 Weather & Climate
- Temperate coastal climate
- Warm summers
- Mild winters
- Windy coastal areas
🧳 Suggested 5-Day Itinerary
- Day 1 — Montevideo old town & Rambla
- Day 2 — Markets & museums
- Day 3 — Ferry / drive to Colonia del Sacramento
- Day 4 — Explore historic colonial quarter
- Day 5 — Punta del Este day trip or wine region
❓ FAQs
Is English widely spoken?
Limited — Spanish is primary.
Is Uruguay expensive?
Moderate to high compared to neighbors.
Do I need cash?
Useful for small cafés & local shops.
🚨 Emergency Numbers
🚑 Ambulance 105
👮 Police 911
🔥 Fire 104
🩺 Tourist Assistance Local Emergency Services
🎟 Tours & Activities in Uruguay