Uruguay water crisis: how did we get here?
Uruguay has some of the most abundant water sources in the world. But the capital was told we had water supplies for just 18 days.
One of the great things about travelling in Uruguay is that free wifi is available everywhere.
Hotels provide it for free. Restaurants and cafes too. The airport wifi is free. Long distance buses have free internet connections. Even local buses have wifi!
Check out your wifi connections on any Montevideo street and see bus companies CUTCSA and COT with their respective bus numbers appearing and then disappearing on your network list.
Disappointingly, going against this positive trend, Buquebus, the international ferry company, has started charging for connectivity on their Argentina-Uruguay crossings. Come on, Buquebus, even the international airport at Carrasco has free wifi all over! Get with the local beat!
Children using their XOs in Salto in west Uruguay. The computers and internet connections are provided for free by the government. Photo: A K Mahan
Uruguay is the first country in the world to completely implement the One Laptop Per Child initiative. Every child in state-run education in both primary and secondary school has a XO laptop. The project began in the interior of the country (reversing the typical tendency for the capital city, where half of Uruguay’s population lives, to get new developments first) and only rolled out in the capital once the entire of the interior was covered. Wifi connections are broadcast from school buildings, so it’s typical to see small children with their XOs perched in plazas or school steps out of school time.
Right now most homes in Montevideo are getting hooked up to fibre optic connections at no extra price. That includes homes which up until now have had a telephone line but no internet. They can get a fibre optic internet connection at no extra cost (as long as they do not consume over a certain amount of bandwidth, at which point to keep connecting they can buy a pay-as-you-use token).
One thing to note, internet connectivity and pricing is controlled by the state-owned telecoms company, ANTEL. They are doing a pretty good job.
Photo: Children using their XOs in Salto in west Uruguay. The computers and internet connections are provided for free by the government. By A K Mahan.
Uruguay water crisis: how did we get here?
Uruguay has some of the most abundant water sources in the world. But the capital was told we had water supplies for just 18 days.
Is Uruguay a developed country? Harvard moves Latin America HQ to Uruguay
Harvard University Business School opens Latin American research centre, praising Uruguay living standard and freedom of expression.
Montevideo Carnival 2024 dates
Hot off the press! The world’s longest carnival is in Montevideo Uruguay and we’ve got the dates.
Salón No. 3 – La Barra gourmet cuisine, cafe & deli
Gourmet lunches, speciality coffee & pastries, out of an antiques store. Smoked hams, artisanal cheese & local produce from the Expendio.
Casa Flor – live the Uruguay coast like a local (VIP)
One of the very best hotels in Punta del Este. Casa Flor’s well-connected owners give you access to the secrets of Uruguay’s coast most can only dream of.
Uruguay offers new digital nomad residency
Digital nomads and remote workers can now obtain a residency permit to work legally from Uruguay for six to twelve months.
Big Bang Nature Stays – Bohemian beach domes
Unique ocean-front location to reconnect with nature—with luxury touches—on one of Uruguay’s most deserted beaches in Maldonado.
8% of Uruguay is black—and maybe more
Afro-Uruguayans play a huge part in Uruguay’s cultural identity. Are they really just 8% of the population? The new census may correct the stats.
Gaucho week in Montevideo – Easter
Traditional food, handmade goods, and South American cowboys riding wild horses. It’s the Semana Criolla – Montevideo’s Easter gaucho festival.
Travel to Uruguay: Medical insurance mandatory
There’s been some confusion around whether it’s necessary to have health insurance to enter Uruguay since recent changes to travel requirements. We explain.
Harvard University Business School opens Latin American research centre, praising Uruguay living standard and freedom of expression.
Latin America is associated with Catholicism. As ever Uruguay is the outlier—with complete separation of church and state for over 100 years.
The 1917 Constitution granted women the right to vote. Another Uruguay first. Though the story is of course more complicated.
Montevideo is often overshadowed by Buenos Aires. Three well-travelled bloggers tell what made them fall in love with South America’s off-the-radar capital.
A 2023 survey reveals that Uruguayan attitudes to immigrants are very different to other polarised parts of the world.
Getting around like a local. Flag down the bus—or it won’t stop. Don’t tip your taxi driver—but don’t expect him to load your luggage! Essential maps.
Proudly made in Uruguay
Follow us
Subscribe
To receive two emails a month about travel, life and sometimes investment opportunities in Uruguay
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
What’s your interest in Uruguay?
Travel interests
Store
About us
Guru’Guay is part of UruguayNatural, the official country brand of Uruguay
Proudly made in Uruguay
Follow us
Subscribe
To receive two emails a month about travel, life and sometimes investment opportunities in Uruguay
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
© Guru’Guay 2013 – 2023. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission.
Language
8 Responses
Hello, I enjoy reading all of your article post. I like to write a little comment to support you.
Why You Should Stay Away From Audemars Piguet Fake Models?
There are a variety of products on the market as an alternative to products that have high
prices and are difficult to buy. Although some of these are replicas of the original
product, there are also fake products. In this article, we will examine why you
should stay away from fake products and Audemars Piguet fake watch models.
By reading our article, you can learn about these areas and learn how to distinguish fake products.
Thank you a lot for sharing this with all folks you actually realize what you’re
speaking about! Bookmarked. Please also seek advice from my website
=). We will have a hyperlink trade contract among us
Каждый должен побеждать жекпоты у новинка известное всему миру беспрецедентное казиныч
– slotika casino.
тут классные бонусы на бездеп.
онлайн казино слотика: 2020 онлайн сайтец от сайта партнерки джим партнерс.
сделанный для той цели. што бы притягивать талантливыхну и не только азартных пацанов в этом месте
: игровой клуб slottica.
Heya! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers?
My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I
ended up losing months of hard work due to no back up.
Do you have any methods to prevent hackers?
Can you rent one of those portable WIFI devices at MVD airport?
Hi Mark, the XOs you mean? No, but you can buy yourself a chip for your phone at the Antel store. Find out more about how easy it is to get a SIM card for your phone in Uruguay. Best, Karen
Is it still true that the buses have free wifi? I’ve been here a week and have ridden quite a few buses, but have yet to have any open wifi appear available on my phone’s list when I’m riding.