Fire and rescue services
Call 911 in Montevideo or 02911 outside Montevideo.
Medical emergencies
Call 911 in Montevideo or 02911 outside Montevideo.
Police
Call 911 in Montevideo or 02911 outside Montevideo.
We advise:
Exercise normal safety precautions in Uruguay.
Call 911 in Montevideo or 02911 outside Montevideo.
Call 911 in Montevideo or 02911 outside Montevideo.
Call 911 in Montevideo or 02911 outside Montevideo.
We advise:
Exercise normal safety precautions in Uruguay.
Exercise normal safety precautions in Uruguay.
Exercise normal safety precautions in Uruguay.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contact
Street crime occurs in Uruguay. This includes:
Smash and grab robberies from cars stopped at traffic lights also occur.
During summer, from December to March, thieves target beach resort areas, such as Punta del Este. You may encounter more petty street crimes and burglaries during these months.
To protect yourself from petty crime:
In Montevideo, avoid the Cerro neighbourhood and be very careful in:
Crime increases at night and on weekends in:
You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.
Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.
More information:
Kidnapping can happen anywhere, anytime, including destinations that are typically at lower risk. The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.
More information:
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
During periods of unrest:
More information:
It rains throughout the year in Uruguay. Floods may disrupt local transport and other services.
Check weather forecasts and plan your travel accordingly.
If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
More information:
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
If you have immediate concerns for your welfare, or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to take medication, check if it's legal in Uruguay. Take enough legal medicine for your stay.
Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are common, especially in rural areas. These include:
To protect yourself from illness:
If you're bitten or scratched by an animal, get medical help straight away.
Public and private hospital facilities in major urban centres are of reasonable quality. But public hospitals in the rest of the country usually have limited facilities.
Treatment at private clinics and hospitals is expensive.
Usually, you'll have to pay or confirm insurance details before treatment. This could be the case even for emergency care.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
More information:
Drug laws are severe in Uruguay. Penalties include jail time and heavy fines.
Uruguay set up a system for the legal production and sale of marijuana in 2013. That system is only for citizens and permanent residents of Uruguay.
It's illegal for visitors to buy or possess marijuana.
More information:
Customs officers enforce import and export rules. Restrictions apply to:
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you’re overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Same-sex relationships are legal in Uruguay. Laws have banned discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Uruguay legalised same-sex marriage in 2013.
More information:
Uruguay recognises dual nationality.
Contact the nearest Embassy of Uruguay for further details before you travel.
More information:
Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering.
Australian tourists can enter Uruguay without a visa for up to 90 days when travelling on a regular passport. There may be additional requirements if you travel on a different type of passport. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Uruguay for details.
Entry and exit conditions can change. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Uruguay for details about visas, currency, customs and other travel requirements.
More information:
Authorities may need to see a letter of consent if the child is:
Parents who aren't travelling with their children may need to sign the letter.
For more information, visit Uruguay's Immigration website for instructions on travelling with minors.
Contact the nearest Uruguayan Embassy or Consulate for guidance.
You don't have to be vaccinated for yellow fever to enter or exit Uruguay. However, it's needed for other countries in the region.
Find out about returning to Australia after exposure to yellow fever.
If you're travelling through the US, you must meet US entry and transit rules.
Check your visa needs with the nearest embassy or consulate of the United States well before you travel.
More information:
If you’re travelling via Chile, ensure you meet all current entry or transit requirements.
More information:
Some countries won’t let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you’re just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport’s expiry date before you travel. If you’re not sure it’ll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport must have at least one blank page at the time of your arrival in Uruguay.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible.
Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.
More information:
The official currency of Uruguay is the Peso (UYU).
Some locations also accept payment in US Dollars (USD). A number of ATMs also dispense USD. Electronic payment methods are used widely in Uruguay.
Sometimes there are disruptions to local transport services. Be prepared to change your plans.
You can drive with an Australian driver's licence in Uruguay. You should carry a Spanish translation of your Australian licence if you're not carrying an international driving permit.
You must be aged 21 years or over to hire a car. Car rental companies will also need either:
Residents need to get a Uruguayan licence.
Be careful when travelling by car. In Uruguay:
You're more likely to die in a car accident in Uruguay than in Australia.
By law, there is zero tolerance for drink driving with a 0.0 blood alcohol limit, and you must use dimmed headlights when driving during the day.
Toll roads between the major cities are well maintained. You can pay cash for some tolls, but others require you to register and pay for your journey online. See the Uruguayan Ministry of Tourism's website for further information. The condition of other roads varies.
More information:
The Australian Government doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
More information:
Montevideo and Punta del Este are popular stops for cruise ships.
If you plan to take a cruise:
More information:
If you have a disability, you may find accessibility standards differ from Australia's. Don't assume that hotels will be accessible.
In Uruguay, anti-discrimination laws apply to people with disabilities, but they're not fully enforced.
Access to buildings, footpaths and road crossings may be difficult.
More information:
Contact your travel provider or the Uruguay Consumer Protection Agency (Spanish) with any complaints about tourist services or products.
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 911 in Montevideo or 02911 outside Montevideo.
Call 911 in Montevideo or 02911 outside Montevideo.
Call 911 in Montevideo or 02911 outside Montevideo.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Read the Consular Services Charter for information about what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
There's an Australian consulate in Montevideo. It provides limited consular assistance and doesn't issue Australian passports.
25 de Mayo 455 - 2° Piso
(11,000) Montevideo, Uruguay
Phone: +59 8 984 51451
Email: ausconur@gmail.com
For full consular services, contact the Australian Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Villanueva 1400
(C1426BMJ)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Phone: +54 11 4779 3500
Website: www.argentina.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay
X: @EmbAustraliaBA
Instagram: @ausemb_ar
Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.