Uruguay
Getting there
BY AIR:
Montevideo's Carrasco International Airport (MVD) is served
by flights from Buenos Aires with
Aerolineas Argentinas and
Pluna, from Miami with
American Airlines, from Madrid with
Iberia, from Santiago de Chile with
LAN and from Rio de Janeiro and São
Paulo with Gol and
Pluna . If you're coming from elsewhere
you'll probably need to take connecting flights via one of these
cities; Buenos Aires is the most common route.
During high season (December to March) there are up to a dozen
flights a day between Buenos Aires and Punta del Este
Capitán Corbeta CA Curbelo International Airport (PDP),
with a flying time of around 45 minutes. Flights at other times of
the year are less frequent. See Pluna
and Aerolineas Argentinas
for further details.
Bear in mind that most international flights to Buenos Aires land
at the city's Ezeiza Airport, whereas many flights to Uruguay
depart from the domestic Jorge Newbery Airport (commonly known as
Aeroparque); it's therefore worth combining a visit to Uruguay with
a stay in Buenos Aires, or at the very least leaving a few hours to
travel between the 2 airports.
If you're flying between several destinations in South America,
consider buying an air pass through LAN or
Mercosur, which allow for
multiple stops. Both passes must be purchased in your home country;
prices vary according to distance covered.
BY SEA:
Many visitors to Uruguay arrive by ferry from Buenos Aires. There
are regular Buquebus hydrofoil services
to Colonia del Sacramento (a journey of 50 minutes) and Montevideo
(3 hours). Bear in mind you may have to pay Uruguayan port tax upon
arrival.
There's no direct ferry service from Buenos Aires to Punta del
Este; instead you'll need to take a boat to Montevideo, then take a
taxi from the ferry terminal to the downtown Terminal Omnibus Tres
Cruces, from where buses to Punta del Esta depart (COT offers the
best service). The trip from Montevideo to Punta del Este takes
about 2 hours.
BY CAR:
Buenos Aires and Uruguay are connected by a series of road bridges.
If you plan to hire a car in Argentina and drive to Uruguay check
that your vehicle can be taken across the border and that you have
the necessary insurance.
back to topGetting Around
Rent a mountain bike, motorbike, golf cart or four-wheeler to explore small towns like Colonia del Sacramento and Jose Ignacio. Otherwise, taxis and buses are plentiful and cheap. There’s really no reason to drive unless you want to explore the countryside. Uruguayan drivers tend to speed and by their own admission are unpredictable on the road. Taxis stop to drop off fares on main routes.
When To Go
Mild and sunny year-round, Uruguay comes alive during the South
American summer (December to February), when temperatures hover in
the 80sF. Punta del Este kicks into full swing in late December,
when the masses arrive for flamboyant New Year’s
celebrations. Summer days can be sweltering in Colonia del
Sacramento, making its freshwater beaches popular. During the
winter months (June to August), temperatures range between 43F and
59F during the day. In beach towns like Jose Ignacio most
restaurants and shops close for the winter or open only at
weekends.
February
Carnaval, during the week before the start of Lent, is a
very popular time to visit. Montevideo hosts the country's main
events, but parades, dance parties and spirited celebrations are
widespread.
March/April
Uruguay virtually shuts down during Semana Santa (Easter
Holy Week) and celebrates with gaucho-style barbecues, parades and
local folk music.
December
On New Year's Eve the country's beaches are packed with
champagne-swilling revellers awaiting spectacular midnight
fireworks displays.
Visas/Entry Requirements
Citizens of Europe and North America only need a valid passport for stays of up to 3 months. Australian passport holders must apply for a visa from a Uruguayan consulate.
back to topOther Essentials
HEALTH
There are no obligatory inoculations unless you're arriving from a
high risk area. The most likely complaint is diarrohea, usually
from a change of diet rather than encountering anything too
unhygienic. The best cure is to drink plenty of bottled water and
eat bland food. If symptoms persist over a few days you should seek
medical advice. The local consulate or tourist office can usually
recommend someone reliable (who will expect to be paid in cash).
Most antibiotics can be bought over the counter at a chemist (make
a note of any medication you are allergic to).
TIPPING
A 10% tip is customary in bars and restaurants when a service
charge isn't included in the bill. If the service is exceptional,
then of course tip more at your discretion. Taxi drivers don't
expect a tip unless they have been heaving your bags about.
LANGUAGE
Be ready for rapid-fire Uruguayan Spanish, peppered with slang.
Most Uruguayans living in the cities have studied some English at
school but don't actually speak it. There are few fluent English
speakers outside Montevideo and Punta del Este.