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.
I get asked this question a lot and my answer is: sometimes. Out and about in the street, use Uruguayan pesos (Uruguay currency). If you try to offer a smaller business or a taxi driver another currency they won’t know what the exchange rate is and, not wanting to rip you off, may not be comfortable accepting them.
Colonia del Sacramento is the exception as it depends a great deal on day-trip tourism from Buenos Aires. Virtually all businesses there accept Argentine pesos, Brazilian reals and dollars as a matter of course at a reasonable exchange rate.
During the summer time, even small beach town businesses are usually fine to accept dollars and other currencies . Check the rate before but outside of the larger resorts they are very honest and offer you the regular rate.
All over Uruguay larger supermarkets will usually accept payment in dollars, as long as you are fine with receiving your change in pesos. Their rates are normally the market ones.
Highway tolls must be paid in cash but can be paid in dollars, Argentine and Brazilian currencies as well as Uruguay pesos of course.
They do, but they have very different values. Don’t fall into the common mistake, thinking that what applies for Argentina is the same for Uruguay. It doesn’t.
It’s really easy to exchange money in Uruguay. When you read more about the money exchange situation in Uruguay you’ll see it is very simple and straightforward. Just another confirmation that Argentina’s (often crazy monetary) situation and Uruguay’s are completely unrelated. Ha!
And the rates are generally good. In fact Uruguay is a great place to exchange Brazilian reals and Argentine pesos into dollars if you have any left over and don’t need more pesos. Or to exchange dollars into Argentina pesos so you have cash on hand for when you arrive in Buenos Aires.
It may seem strange but cash machines in Uruguay dispense both Uruguay currency in pesos and US dollars.
Uruguayans, like the citizens of many other Latin American nations, typically save in dollars. So we usually have separate bank accounts in pesos and dollars. So don’t be surprised to see property prices, rental values and the price of electrical and luxury goods labelled in dollars. And you’ll be able to pay hotel bills in dollars.
When not to use cash. When you use your international credit or debit card in restaurants and for care hire in Uruguay, you get the 22% VAT back directly when you pay with your credit card.
It’s a crazy benefit that the Uruguayan government has decided to give to travellers.
For other money-saving tips like this, check out the Guru’Guay Guide to Montevideo
Photo: 401(K) 2012
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.
My 9-day vacation in Uruguay: Intrepid reader writes
Beaches, classic car races and a bargain therapy session. We were delighted to get this email from one reader after his vacations in Uruguay.
Uruguay women first to get vote in Americas
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.
What do Uruguayans think about foreigners?
A 2023 survey reveals that Uruguayan attitudes to immigrants are very different to other polarised parts of the world.
Verne – Fine dining in an aromatic herb garden
Outdoor dining at Verne, five mins from the airport, is a surprising feast for the senses and will please everyone.
Montevideo Carnival 2023 dates
Uruguay carnival is back in 2023! The world’s longest carnival returns to Montevideo. We’ve got the when and where.
Smokewood Garzón – Magical 50-acre off-the-grid vacation rental
This magical 50-acre modern off-the-grid oasis is one of the best places to stay in Uruguay.
Uruguay Festivals – Sea Goddess Day on February 2
It’s Yemanjá Day on February 2. Don’t miss this special festival of the Goddess of the Sea at Playa Ramírez in the Parque Rodó neighbourhood.
Getting around: buses, taxis and walking
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.
Some beaches are just so darn popular. Tips for when & how to get best rates on hotels and rentals in Uruguay.
We check out recent prices for the ferry between Buenos Aires, Argentina and the Uruguay capital, Montevideo.
Car hire, restaurant drinks and meals are tax free when you use your international credit card in Uruguay. Big savings.
I often get asked what salaries are like in Uruguay. If you have any idea of the cost of living, you may be surprised. Figures from July 2020.
Uruguay’s new government wants to attract immigration. Their first move, on tax residency, is aimed at neighboring Argentines but could benefit you too.
Get an idea what you are likely to spend on food and drink when eating out at restaurants and bars. You may be pleasantly surprised.
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16 Responses
Karen, I am in San Telmo and on Saturday 25th Jan, I am going to Montevideo via Colonia on Buquebus. I need some Uruguayan cash to pay taxi drivers on arrival. The official Exchange in Plaza Dorego would not give me any Uruguayan money. Is there an exchange on the BsAs side of the Buquebus terminal? or on the boat?
Is there a PDF version of you Montevideo book?
Hi Neil, there are both exchanges on the boat (notoriously bad rates) and at the port. You can expect to get abt 36.5 UY pesos to the dollar right now. The good news, you can exchange any left over ARG pesos into UY at the same rate you’d get in Argentina.
THere IS a pdf version of The Guru’Guay Guide to Montevideo. THanks for asking!
Hey Karen,
Really great page!
I have a question. We have Argentinian Pesos left and are a little bit surprised with the change rate for them in Montevideo (buying: 0.35, Selling: 0.85).
Do you know where we can get better rates for them?
Thanks already ?
Hi Pascal, thank you! It’s actually pretty much the rate you will get in Argentina I suspect. I know that when I buy AR pesos here in Uruguay, before I go to Buenos Aires, I get as good a rate as I get when I reach da Big City. Yes, the AR pesos is *really* depreciated 🙁 So… the best advice I can give you is to change them all at once and ask for their best rate – you say “Me puedes dar tu mejor cambio por favor?” You will normally be given a rate that is slighty better than what’s on the board. This works for all currencies btw. Don’t spend your pesos all at once 😉 and enjoy your stay! — Karen
Hey Karen, thanks for your reply!
We did another thing. Turned out people in our hotel and on a free walking tour will heading to Argentina, so they were happy to change with us.
Perfect!
Do you know if I can exchange money anywhere in Carmelo ? Any tips on travelling in that part of Uruguay
Hi Elaine, there are exchanges in every town in Uruguay. You just need to go to any Abitab or Red Pagos store. Ask at your hotel. We have eight pages of information about Carmelo in The Guru’Guay Guide to Uruguay. You can buy it on Amazon or for your tablet from our website. It’s an amazing region! All the best, Karen
Cool name, first of all 🙂 Off to Montevideo on a day trip tomorrow, so was a bit curious about Argentinean pesos in Uruguay. Thanks!
Heh, heh, thanks, Bea. Yes, VERY COOL name. I owe my old friend from uni a big one. I assume you are going to Colonia if it’s a day trip? In which case you can totally use Argentine pesos in most restaurants. However you will want to use your credit card when you can because you will get the 22% tax BACK!! best best, Karen PS If you want a tip, do have lunch at Las Liebres, the very best restaurant in Colonia. It’s a little way out of town but taxis are cheap and it’s sooo worth it.
Thank you for the updates and useful information.
Pleasure, Carolina. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. If you are on Facebook and you’d like to be up to date, then do join us in our Discover Uruguay group and on the Guru’Guay page. We’re on Instagram too! All the best, Karen
Thank you for this useful article! We’re visiting Uruguay soon and were hoping to stock up on US dollars before returning to Argentina (where access to cash is proving problematic) – do the cash machines in Uruguay still dispense US$?
Always 🙂
Thank you! We’ve just tried to withdraw $300 and are being charged a $6 fee. Looking elsewhere on your site it seems as though this may be a higher fee than usual, but maybe things have changed? We’re going to try the advice we saw elsewhere on the site and visit RedBrou in MV to ask about a cash advance from a UK bank…
Hi Olly, the 6 USD fee seems to be pretty standard now. I’d recommend going to Banco Itau. They often have English speaking staff who are very helpful. Good luck!