Uruguay — Shopping
Shopping
Special purchases include suede jackets, amethyst jewelry and paintings. The Tristan Narvaja Market is famous for its antiques and there are many antique shops in the Old Town.
Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1200 and 1400-1900; Sat 0900-1230.
Currency
Peso Uruguayo (UYU; symbol $U) = 100 centécimos. Notes are in the denominations of $U2,000, 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of $U10, 5, 2 and 1 and 50 centécimos.
Currency Exchange
Visitors are advised to buy local currency at banks and exchange shops, as hotels tend to give unfavorable rates. Inflation in Uruguay, though less severe than in other Latin American countries, leads to frequent fluctuations in the exchange rate.
Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are the most commonly used credit cards. ATMs marked with the green Banred or blue Redbrou logo serve all major international banking networks, including Cirrus, Visa, MasterCard and Maestro.
Travelers Checks
Traveller's Cheques can still be cashed at some banks and exchange shops in major tourist hubs. US Dollar traveler's checks are more widely accepted than those issued in Sterling.
Currency Restrictions
There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency.
Banking Hours
Mon-Fri 1300-1700.
Exchange Rate
| 1.00 GBP = 29.71 UYU |
| 1.00 USD = 18.5 UYU |
| 1.00 EUR = 26.11 UYU |
| Currency conversion rates as of 19 July 2011 |
