South America
Backpacking Uruguay Need To Know
Basics
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Entry
Citizens of most countries (including all EU countries, The US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) do not need a visa for stays of up 90 days.
Your passport should be valid for at least the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required.
For official information visit your home government travel bureau.
Getting Around
More detail is to come in this section, but you can read about general advice regardingGetting Around When You Get There
Recommended For Further Information
If you are heading to multiple destinations in South America I highly recommend picking up a copy of Lonely Planet’s; South America On A Shoestring. It provides the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, how to get around, where to stay, and how to optimise your budget for an extended continental trip…
Accommodation
Uruguay has plenty of hostels in major towns, cities and tourists areas.
The average price of a hostel is 370-555 UYU (£10-15) a night. Hotels can also be relatively cheap, but vary in quality.
All hostels in Uruguay will provide linen and bathroom facilities. Usually there will be cooking and internet facilities as well as common and laundry rooms.
Read more about Accommodation When You Get There and Living in Hostels
Food And Health
Food hygiene and safety in Uruguay is satisfactory, but is not up to Western standards. Use your instincts; if the place looks dirty, don’t eat there; if your food isn’t piping hot, don’t eat it.
Water is generally not safe to drink, so it is best to buy bottled or boil.
Medical treatment is expensive in Uruguay. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
Always contact your GP around 8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. Visit here for Recommended Vaccinations and read here for more about Travelling Health In General
Weather & Time To Go
Uruguay is subtropical, so pleasant to visit year round, but does experience occasional storms.
Communications
Internet and wifi is widespread and is accessible in most hostels and hotels. International calling cards are also cheaply available.
Dangers And Considerations
Uruguay is one of the safest countries in South America to visit, but thieves, pickpockets and scam artists commonly operate at country borders, and in cities and tourist areas. Pickpockets often work in gangs, some distracting you while the others go into your bags, so be alert and try not to get distracted around tourist attractions and cash points.
Don’t get involved with crime, i.e. drugs, Uruguayan prisons are renowned for having some of the worst conditions in the world, with poor human rights records.
Dangers constantly change. Always check with your foreign office (British Foreign Office webpage) or travel advice bureau for the latest information regarding your destinations safety.
