Uruguay — Travel Tips
Social Conventions
Shaking 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 Air
The national airline is PLUNA (PU) (website: www.pluna.com.uy).
Departure Tax
US$31 on international departures (US$17 to Buenos Aires), if departing from Carrasco International Airport.
Main Airports
Montevideo (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 Water
Main ports:Montevideo, the main international port, is served by cargo lines from the USA and Europe.
High-speed ferries 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 Road
Modern coaches with bar, TV, WC and radio travel regularly between Brazil and Uruguay. The journey time from Montevideo to Porto Alegre (Brazil) is 11 hours 30 minutes; to São Paulo 30 hours; and to Rio de Janeiro 36 hours. Buses link Montevideo with Asunción and Iguazú Falls in Paraguay, Santiago in Chile and numerous destinations in Argentina including Buenos Aires. More information is available from the website www.trescruces.com.uy.
Duty Free
Overview
The following items may be imported into Uruguay without incurring customs duty (50% 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.
Note: All plants and plant derivatives must be accompanied by a sanitary certificate.
Internal Travel
Getting Around By Air
Regularly scheduled commercial flights within Uruguay have been discontinued. Aeromás (website: www.aeromas.com) still operates domestic charter flights.
Getting Around By Water
There 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 Rail
A few local services run between Montevideo and surrounding suburbs. These are not usually used by tourists and are under threat of closure.
Getting Around By Road
Traffic drives on the right. Road conditions vary but are excellent along the main coastal highways. Outside of Montevideo, congestion is rarely a problem.
Bus: The bus service is good; two main bus lines - COPSA (website: www.copsa.com.uy) and COT (website: www.cot.com.uy) - provide services throughout the country, connecting all towns and the Brazilian border points. Information regarding other bus lines is available online (website www.trescruces.com.uy).
Car hire: Available in Montevideo, Punta del Este, Colonia and other main cities throughout the country.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit or license from your home country is required.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
Extensive 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 the hours of 2400-0600. Within city limits, taxis may be hired by the hour at an agreed rate. Taxi drivers expect a tip.
