Entry requirements | Organizing your trip | Visiting | Eating | Paying | Speaking |

Entry requirements

Passport and visa service

Foreign ministry

Diplomatic representations

Foreign ministry - Listing of consular and diplomatic representations.

For more information

Embassy of Uruguay in Greece
1c, Lykavittou str
106 72 Athens
Phone: 2103602635, 2103613549
Fax: 2103613549
urugrec@otenet.gr

Organizing your trip

Means of transport recommended in town

Recommendation

A very efficient bus network covers the whole country, which is an inexpensive mode of transport. Furthermore, taxis are widely available in most big cities, but it is important to stress a point. In Montevideo, the price of a journey depends on the distance covered in Km. A kilometric counter is in charge of computing the price, and the driver can show you a number of connections with the price list. In the countryside, the price of a journey might be computed on the amount of kilometers covered or on a set price method, either or. It is therefore important to ask for the price of a journey before getting in a cab.

Maps of urban networks

Mapred
Maporama
Mapblast
UT Library on line

Means of transport recommended in the rest of the country

Recommendation

Plane: There are few national airlines but they are for rather exclusive use and have a relatively uncertain schedule.
Bus:Very good way of travelling in Uruguay. Bus travel is cheap and rather comfortable.
Car: On-site rental is possible. The road network is efficient.
Ship: There is a shuttle between Montevideo and Colonia.

Rail companies

State railway office.

Flight from Greece

No aircraft companies offer direct air connections between Greece and Uruguay. To find out air connections from Greece to Uruguay click here

Traveling by yourself

Recommendation

The road network is well-developed and in relatively good condition. There are numerous non-paved roads. The road Montevideo-Punta Del Este on the coast counts many gas stations. Inside the country, it is better to stock up with gas in stations around cities. It is advised to be very cautious since drivers only partially respect the highway code and cars are quite old. Numerous private bus companies ensure regular connections between cities from the bus station of Montevideo and with confortable transport conditions.

Road maps

Google Maps
Road network map

Find an itinerary

Ministry of Tourism

Visiting

Different forms of tourism

Historical

Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay and also the biggest city. It gathers the cultural, business and economic activities of the country. It is a modern and animated city with some interesting architectural buildings, especially along the avenida 18 de Julio.

Cultural

There are lots of museums worth visiting in Montevideo. You shouldn't miss the "Museo del Gaucho". Two other museums will also attract visitors: the historical houses of Casa Lavalleja (National Historical Museum) and Casa Rivera. The visit of the Mercado del Puerto (harbour market) is a must. It is located in the old town, at the crossing of Piedras and Castellanos. Build under an old train station from the beginning of the XXth century, it still holds the original central clock. It is one of the popular centers of gastronomy in Uruguay and a great place to gather friends on weekends toi enjoy an excellent asado.

Nature

Punta del Este is one of the most select seaside resorts in all of south America.

Religious

At Paysandu, you can see the cathedral, whose walls have kept the bullets of the triple alliance war embedded. At that time, the city belonged to the Paraguayans.

Thermal

The region that gave its name to the city of Salto is the most populated northerm Uruguayan urban center, but it is also a well known center in the region for its thermal sources all around, touristic resorts and converted swimming pools.

Beach

The Carmelo and Mercedes beaches are ideal spots for boat cruising, sailing, fishing and fun water activities. For the farniente followers, the beaches of Punta del Este and their crystal clear waters definitely are the places to go. With its numerous seaside resort and its crowds of tourists, the Montevideo east side area is one the most westernized places in the country. The great Atlantida Resort is located just east from the capital city, and you will find Piriapolis just a couple of beach towel rows further. From there, you might explore the surrounding countryside and hike up the 130 feet of the Cerro Pan de Azucar, or even visit Minas, a charming small town surrounded by wooded hills.

Outdoor activities

Several activities can be chosen, see the website of Ministry of Tourism

Shopping

The craft industry concerns products dealing with the gaucho's image and life, with mostly leather and wool work. Furthermore, there is an important offer of semi precious stones (agata, amethyst, etc) comming from the northerm areas in the country. There is a store chain in the main malls concentrating all the diversity of craft industry in Uruguay.

Tourism organizations

Ministry of Tourism

Eating

Food specialties

Most restaurants in Uruguay are grill restaurants: indeed beef is the main ingredient for the preparation of all dishes in Uruguay.
Asado: barbecued beef
Asado de tira: beef ribs
Lomo: fillet of beef
Costillas: sheep
Milanesa: veal chops
Chivito: sandwich with beef, salad and eggs.
Puchero: beef with vegetables, bacon, beans and sausages.
Cazuela: home made stew
Desserts: dulce of leche
Drinks: caña, grappa
Beers are excellent in Uruguay.

Drinks

Concerning softdrink, sodas and fizzy beverages the most widely consumed.

 

Local beers are called "Patricia", "Pilsen" and "Cilertal" (a AMBEV monopol). Whisky is the most consumed alcoholic beverage. There is also an interesting amount of wine consumption due to a high local production.

Dietary taboos

There are no culinary restrictions. The only thing to mention is that horse meat is not locally produced and is therefore wholy imported.

Paying

Domestic currency

Uruguayan Peso

ISO Code

UYU

To obtain domestic currency

The currency is the Uruguayan peso ; 1 peso = 100 centimes. The currency is issued in bills of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 pesos and in coins of 1 and 2 pesos and 10, 20 and 50 centimes.

Possible means of payment

Most businesses will accept credit card payment. Furthermore, the country benefits from a wide banking network as well as an ATM network that accepts most international credit cards (VISA, MASTER, DINERS, AMEX, and others).

Exchange rate on

Automatic Teller Machines (ATM)

To find out the locations of ATMs in in Uruguay, click on the link to your credit card: Visa, Mastercard or American Express

Speaking

Official language

Spanish 

Other languages spoken

94% of the citizens speak only Spanish. Therefore, Spanish is the common language used in politics and in cultural and economic fields. English is used occasionally in commercial activities. Other languages, such as French, Portuguese or German are not used very often.

Business language

Spanish, English

Getting some knowledge

Website of some common Spanish expressions brought in English.

Free translation tools

Babel Fish - Free English-Spanish-English traduction of texts and web pages
Systran - Free French-Spanish-French traduction of texts and web pages
Dictionarios.com - Free Spanish-Catalan-English-French Dictionary
sensagent - Free Greek-Spanish-Greek dictionary
hexagone - Not Free Greek-Spanish-Greek translator

We can translate your foreign-language documents.

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