South America

Uruguay

Quick facts

  • Full name: Oriental Republic of Uruguay
  • Capital: Montevideo
  • Largest city: Montevideo
  • Official language: Spanish
  • Area: 176,215 km2
  • Population: 3,444,006
  • Currency: Uruguayan Peso (UYU) 1 (UYU) = 100 centésimo
  • Foreign tourists: 3 million (2016)
  • Travel risks and hazards: Petty crime.

Uruguay is one of the two countries from which tango originated. It is also a place where drinking Yerba Mate is a part of everyone’s life. People in Uruguay are outnumbered two to one by cattle which makes some of the finest beef in the world. Chivito is a dish not to be missed when visiting the country. Although there are many incredible attractions awaiting in Uruguay to be explored, there also are some hazards that go along.

Traveling info

All tourists traveling to Uruguay must have a valid passport. Citizens of nations bordering Uruguay, however, require only a valid ID card to cross the border. Certain nationals will be required to obtain a visa prior to entry whilst others may visit Uruguay without a visa and are allowed a stay of up to 90 days. It is best to check with a consulate or an embassy of Uruguay does one require a visa to Uruguay. Tourists who decide to drive in Uruguay must have a domestic driving license and optionally an international driving permit. Such permit is especially recommended for tourists who’s permits are written in non-Roman scripture. When driving headlights must be turned on at all times.

Traveling hazards

Illumination, pavement markings, and road surfaces are sometimes poor. Route 1, which runs between Montevideo and Colonia or Punta del Este, and Route 2, between Rosario and Fray Bentos, are particularly accident-ridden because of heavy tourist traffic. The frequency of road accidents rises during the summer beach season which begins in December and lasts until March and during the Carnaval mid to late February, and Easter Week. Speed limits are posted on highways and some main roads. Most taxis have no seat belts in the back seat. Cycling outside the capital or small towns is hazardous due to a scarcity of bike paths, narrow road shoulders, and unsafe driving practices.

Environmental hazards

Although Uruguay is relatively small it has quite a rich fauna. Some of these animals are potentially dangerous for humans. There are two large cats roaming Uruguay. Jaguars and cougars are both large carnivorous cats that are capable of killing a grown man. These, however, prefer to avoid humans and areas of human activity. Cougars are however more common to find. Attacks on humans by these animals mostly involve children due to their small size. There are several venomous snakes in Uruguay. These include the coral snake, fer-de-lance and the tropical rattlesnake. Coastal waters of Uruguay are generally safe. Shark attacks are extremely rare however for safety it is best to avoid swimming after dusk.
The country of Uruguay is fortunate as it does not experience earthquakes nor does it have any volcanoes. Heavy rains, however, may cause flooding in parts of the country.

Health hazards

There are no required vaccinations upon entering Uruguay. There are however recommended vaccines. These are the routine vaccines aka MMR vaccines, typhoid, hepatitis A and B and rabies vaccine. There are no outbreaks of any diseases in the country. In 2014 Uruguay ranked second in the world ranking for best healthcare. Uruguay offers a variety of services with top quality. Both public and private sector are well staffed and well supplied. The facilities are capable of dealing with all kinds of emergencies making medical evacuation unnecessary.
In case of emergency dial 997.

Crime

Although crime is one of the concerns of the country, Uruguay comparing to its northern neighbor is quite safe. Tourists are rarely affected by violent crime however pickpocketing, scams, and theft is alive and well. To reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime it is best to stay low key. Wearing flashy jewelry and exposing signs of wealth increases the chances of becoming a target. Money belts are a good way of avoiding pickpockets. These also allow you to keep money safe and out of visibility of others. Exploring nightlife is fun but it is also significantly more dangerous than daytime tourism. If deciding to go out at night it is best to stick to crowded tourists spots and to take only registered cabs directly home. Uruguay has some of the most progressive drug laws in South America. Personal consumption is legal in the country however dealing any narcotics is punishable by jail time.

Summary

Uruguay is an incredible place to visit. If you want to try the real Yerba Mate and eat some of the finest beef in the world Uruguay is the place to visit. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/south-america/uruguay/passport-visa/
https://turismo.gub.uy/index.php/en/entry-requirements-and-paperwork
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/uruguay