Language: The official language is Spanish.
Currency: The official currency of
Uruguay is the Uruguayan Peso (UYU), but US Dollars are also accepted by some tourist businesses, retailers and taxi drivers. The peso is divided into 100 centécimos. Currency can be exchanged at banks and Money Exchange Shops, which both offer similar exchange rates. Exchange rates tend to fluctuate frequently. There are plenty of ATMs available in shopping centers and attached to banks in commercial areas, but not all cards are accepted. Credit cards, including Visa,
MasterCard, American
Express and
Diners Club, are widely accepted by shops and restaurants. Travelers cheques are easiest to exchange if in US Dollars.
Time: GMT -3 (GMT -2 from October to March).
Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. There are various types of plugs in use, including 'Schuko' plugs and receptacles with side grounding contacts, and the plugs commonly used in
Australia.
Communications: The international direct dialing code for Uruguay is +598. The government-operated telephone service is efficient. Area codes are in use for cities, e.g. (0)2 for
Montevideo. ANTEL is the major mobile phone operator and a GSM 1800 network is available with good coverage in urban areas. Internet cafes are available in Montevideo and the main towns.
Duty Free: Visitors to Uruguay do not need to pay customs duty on 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500g of tobacco; two liters of alcohol; two items of electrical or optical equipment (including cameras); and up to 5kg of foodstuffs.
Tourist OfficeMinistry of Tourism, Montevideo: +598 (0)2 188 5100 or www.turismo.gub.uy
EmergencyEmergencies: 911.
Embassies
Embassy of Uruguay,
Washington DC,
United States: +1 202 331 1313.
Embassy of Uruguay,
London, United Kingdom (also responsible for
Ireland): +44 (0)20 7589 8835.
Embassy of Uruguay,
Ottawa,
Canada: +1 613 234 2727.
Embassy of Uruguay, ACT, Australia (also responsible for
New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6273 9100.
Embassy of Uruguay,
Pretoria,
South Africa: +27 (0)12 362 6521/22.
United States Embassy, Montevideo: +598 (0)2 418 7777.
British Embassy, Montevideo: +598 (0)2 622 3630/3650.
Canadian Embassy, Montevideo: +598 (0)2 902 2030.
Honorary Consul of Australia, Montevideo: +598 (0)2 901 0743.
South
African Embassy, Montevideo: +598 (0)2 623 0161.
Irish Embassy,
Buenos Aires,
Argentina (also responsible for Uruguay): +54 (0)11 5787 0801.
New
Zealand Consulate, Montevideo: +598 (0)2 622 1543.
