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.
Uruguay is wedged between Argentina to the west and Brazil to the east. By South American standards, Uruguay is a small country, but remember – distances are BIG in this part of the world.
From Buenos Aires, you can take a direct ferry to Colonia (1 hr) or Montevideo (2.25hrs). You can travel by bus from Colonia to Montevideo in just over 2 hours after enjoying a stop-off in Colonia.
A lesser-known option is the picturesque daily ferry from the Tigre Delta in Buenos Aires to Carmelo in Uruguay. The Línea Delta is now owned by Buquebus.
From Córdoba or Rosario, there is an overnight bus several times a week.
Flying from Buenos Aires to Montevideo takes 40 minutes but I don’t recommend it.
To choose what’s best for you, I recommend you read my article on the different options for getting to Uruguay from Argentina and why I don’t recommend flying. I look at the most leisurely, fastest and cheapest ways.
Having trouble using those ferry sites to find prices? They are impossible! I’ve produced a little matrix on ferry prices.
If you do decide to fly make sure you read my article on airline companies to avoid.
You are likely to want to fly. It takes 2.75 hours to fly from Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to Montevideo .
Porto Alegre, the Brazilian city nearest the Uruguayan border, is a a ten-hour bus journey though to be honest the price difference between flying and the bus is usually negligible, and so I would recommend the one-hour flight.
I do not recommend driving to Uruguay from Porto Alegre. Rental companies will not allow you to cross borders (this is the same for Argentina). In addition, the route from Porto Alegre to Chuy on the Uruguayan border goes through fairly uninspiring countryside and is a two-lane road crowded with enormous produce-filled juggernauts. It makes for extremely stressful driving.
See my article on airlines flying to Uruguay.
There is a 24-hour bus from Iguazú to Montevideo.
There are no direct flights to Uruguay. You have to fly via Buenos Aires (Aerolineas Argentinas) or São Paulo (TAM). With a good connection it will take you apx 6 hours.
If you are on holiday and looking to relax, I’d recommend staying overnight in Buenos Aires to break the trip.
Montevideo’s Carrasco International Airport is 15 miles (apx 25 km) from the centre of Montevideo, a 30-40 minute cab ride into town, depending on where you are staying. Traffic is very rarely a problem, but calculate a few minutes more around rush-hour or at the start of a long weekend. Check out your options for getting into Montevideo city centre from the airport and vice versa.
If you are travelling the continent you should read about the time zone differences between Uruguay and the rest of South America. Since October 2015, there is no longer a difference in time between Buenos Aires and Uruguay.
To dig further into Uruguay and Montevideo, Guru’Guay has published two guidebooks filled with up to date, useful information. These are Amazon bestsellers, the only international guidebooks available about Uruguay written by someone who actually lives here. Also, you won’t find a dry list in them – these guidebooks are full of passion and soul.
Get yours now: the Guru’Guay Guide to Montevideo and the Guru’Guay Guide to Uruguay: Beaches, ranches and wine country
[Article first published: Jun 18, 2017. Lots of people read it, so we keep it as up to date as possible]
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.
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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.
We check out recent prices for the ferry between Buenos Aires, Argentina and the Uruguay capital, Montevideo.
The Guru gives you her honest take on airlines flying to Uruguay from the USA, Europe, Buenos Aires, Argentina & the Iguazu falls. UPDATED.
Planning a day-trip to Colonia from Buenos Aires? Guru’Guay looks at the ferry options, price of tickets, schedules. And reasons to stay longer.
The Uruguay-Argentina ferry sites are getting better but buying tickets online can still be frustrating. Pour yourself a glass of red and follow the Guru.
Guru’Guay looks at the fastest, cheapest & most relaxing ways of going Uruguay to Argentina and back by ferry, plane and bus.
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6 Responses
Can you tell me the name of the carrier that operates the 24-hour bus from Iguazú to Montevideo? Also, is that bus available from Montevideo to Iguazú, thanks!
Hi Collin, sure we’ll look into that for you. When do you need the info by? — best, Team Guru’Guay
We’ll be arriving in early March. We considered renting a car, but aren’t sure about the ease and safety of driving through that region of Argentina from Uruguay.
Thanks
I’m not aware of any car rental companies in Uruguay which will allow you to cross the border into Argentina in their vehicle. — Karen
I’m driving a motorcycle from Belem, Brazil to Montevidio, Uraguae like to known best route to take most paved road. Best fuel stops. Any help greatly appreciated
Hi Gary – exciting! The best paved route from Brazil to Montevideo will be the Ruta 9 from Chui. There are plenty of gas stations on the way. Best — Karen