Social ConventionsShaking hands is the normal form of greeting. Uruguayans are very hospitable and like to entertain both at home and in restaurants. Normal courtesies should be observed. Smoking is not allowed in cinemas or theaters or on public transport.
International Travel:Getting There by AirThe national airline is
PLUNA (PU) (website:
www.pluna.com.uy).
Air PassesMercosur Airpass: valid within Argentina, Brazil, Chile (except Easter Island),
Paraguay and Uruguay. Participating airlines include
TAM Mercosur (PZ),
Pluna (PU),
TAM Linhas Aéreas (JJ) and
VARIG (RG). The pass can only be purchased by passengers who live outside South America, who have a return ticket. Only eight flight coupons are allowed with a maximum of four coupons for each country and it is valid for seven to a maximum of 30 days. At least two countries must be visited and the flight route cannot be changed. A maximum of two stopovers is allowed per country.
Visit South America Pass: valid within Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile (except Easter Island), Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Participating airlines include
Aer Lingus (EI),
American Airlines (AA),
British Airways (BA),
Cathay Pacific (CX),
Finnair (AY),
Iberia (IB),
LAN (LA) and
Qantas (QF). The pass must be bought outside South America in the traveller’s country of residence. It allows unlimited travel to 34 cities. A minimum of three flights must be booked, with no maximum; the maximum stay is 60 days, with no minimum, and prices depend on the number of flight zones. For further details, contact one of the participating airlines.
Departure TaxUS$12 on international departures (US$6 to Buenos Aires), if departing from Carrasco International Airport.
Main AirportsMontevideo (MVD) (Carrasco) (website:
www.aic.com.uy) is 19km (12 miles) from the city (journey time – 35 minutes).
To/from the airport: There is an airport bus to the city center. Taxis are also available.
Facilities: Duty-free shop, post office, restaurants, car hire, pharmacy, travel agencies, ATMs and a bureau de change.
Getting There by WaterMain ports: Montevideo, the main international port, is served by cargo lines from the USA and Europe.
There is a night-
ferry service from Buenos Aires to Montevideo (journey time – 10 hours). High-speed ferries (called ‘planes’ due to their speed) also operate between Montevideo and Buenos Aires (journey time – 3 hours) (website:
www.buquebus.com).
There are also services from
Colonia (160km/100 miles west of Montevideo) to Buenos Aires by ferry and a
hydrofoil service. A port departure tax may be levied.
Getting There by RoadCoaches and
buses travel regularly between Brazil and Uruguay – these are modern coaches with bar, TV, WC and radio. The journey time between Montevideo and Porto Alegre (Brazil) is 11 hours 30 minutes; to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 59 hours. Buses depart link Montevideo with Asunción and Iguazú Falls in Paraguay, as well as with Florianópolis, Rio de Janeiro and Santiago in Brazil and with northern and southern regions of Argentina. More information is available from the website
www.trescruces.com.uy.
OverviewThe following items may be imported into Uruguay without incurring customs duty (50 per cent of these allowances for persons under 18 years of age):
(a) Residents of Uruguay arriving from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile or Paraguay (maximum once a month):
200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 250g of tobacco;
1l of alcohol; 2kg of foodstuffs.
Total value of exempted imports not to exceed US$300 if arriving by sea or air or US$150 if arriving by land.
(b) Residents of Uruguay arriving from other countries (once a year):
400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500g of tobacco;
2l of alcohol;
5kg of foodstuffs.
Total value of exempted imports not to exceed US$500 if arriving by sea or air.
(c) All other nationals:
400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500g of tobacco;
2l of alcohol;
5kg of foodstuffs; two articles of the following electrical, optical and electronic equipment:
portable radio,
photo camera,
movie camera,
movie projector,
typewriter and slide projector.
All plants and plant derivatives must be accompanied by a sanitary certificate.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirThe only internal flights available since
TAMU, a branch of the Uruguayan Air Force, suspended its services, are the domestic legs of international flights from Punta del Este via Montevideo to Brazil.
Getting Around by WaterThere are no scheduled boat services along the principal rivers but the River Uruguay is navigable from Colonia to Salto, and the Río Negro (flowing across the country from northeast to northwest) is navigable as far as the port of Mercedes.
Getting Around by RailA few local services run between villages. These are not usually used by tourists and are under threat of closure.
Getting Around by RoadTraffic drives on the right. There are 45,000km (28,000 miles) of roads in Uruguay, 90 per cent of which are paved or otherwise improved for all-weather use. However, the conditions of roads varies. Traffic is often disorganized.
Bus: The bus service is good: two main bus lines (
COPSA and
COT) provide services throughout the country, connecting all towns and the Brazilian border points. More information is available from the website
www.trescruces.com.uy.
Car hire: Available in Montevideo.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit or UK license is required. A temporary license to drive in Uruguay, valid for 90 days, must be obtained from the Town Hall (
Municipio).
Getting Around Towns and CitiesExtensive bus services operate in Montevideo and the suburbs. There are flat fares for the central area and suburban services. Metered taxis are available in all cities and from the airport. Drivers carry a list of fares. A surcharge is made for each item of baggage and between 2400-0600. Within city limits, taxis may be hired by the hour at an agreed rate. Taxi drivers expect a tip.
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