Uruguay is one of the easiest countries to visit in South America. While you’ll still find some things that make it unmistakably South American, it’s calmer and easier for first time travelers visiting the country. Still, whether you’re visiting Montevideo or one of the many beach towns, there are a few quirks to be aware of.
Here’s my top Uruguay travel tips for first time visitors.
Uruguay Travel Tips for First Time Visitors
Many travel tips are the same no matter which country you are visiting. This guide will focus on the things that surprised me during my trip to Uruguay. These tips are all things that I wish I would have known before visiting.
Buses Actually Stick to the Schedule
I traveled to Uruguay immediately after spending six weeks in Colombia. In Colombia, buses more or less left on time, but it was anyone’s guess how long the buses would actually take. Nearly every single bus I took in Colombia arrived late (despite the fact we departed on time). It was something I just assumed I would have to deal with all over the continent.
In Uruguay, I was shocked every time that my bus arrived on time. Sure, we departed on time, but every single bus I took either arrived early or on time. This was a huge shock to my system.
This is very important to note if you’re planning any routes that involve connections. You can actually rely on buses to arrive when they say so you can make those connections. Of course delays happen, but for the most part, you should expect your buses to follow the schedule listed.
Use Buses.Uy But Confirm With the Actual Company
In Colombia, I got used to guessing on bus routes, but Uruguay has a massively beneficial cheat sheet. Buses.uy lists the schedules for nearly every bus company in the country. You can filter by location and day of the week and find any bus journey you want. Quite frankly, I think every country should have a website like this.
However, you have to do a bit more research. Once you decide on a route, I highly recommend going to the actual bus company’s official website. Every company listed on Buses.uy will have an online presence where you can purchase tickets. Confirm that the bus you want actually exists.
I’d say most of the buses I picked out on Buses.uy existed, but I did struggle a bit with my connections to Cabo Polonio.
So while Buses.uy gives a phenomenal starting point, confirm that the bus truly exists before planning your entire day around it since some of the departure times weren’t quite accurate.
Pay With a Credit Card for a Discount
Most countries in South America prefer cash. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see additional fees added for credit card purchases (particularly in hotels). Uruguay was different and it may be the only place that I’ve traveled so far where I found discounts for paying with a credit card (or debit card).
These discounts don’t exist everywhere, but when they do, they are heavily advertised. I found these most frequently at restaurants in tourist cities.
So, if you’re looking to save some money, make sure to bring a card to pay.
As a note, I’d recommend having a back up card. I always recommend this but for some reason in Uruguay, I had issues with my main credit card. It was random and sporadic and only happened a few times, but it was a huge annoyance when I didn’t have enough cash to pay my bill once the credit card got declined.
You Need Less Pesos Than You Think
Uruguay readily accepts cards for payment and I used my card more in Uruguay than I did anywhere else in South America. It was just so much easier and since you can sometimes get a discount, it’s a win-win as a traveler.
Still, there will be times where you’ll need to have pesos. Cabo Polonio is predominantly cash based (though my hostel did accept card which I was not expecting) and my hostel in Punta del Diablo preferred cash (though accepted card with an extra fee).
So, my advice is to keep your ATM withdrawals to a minimum. For Cabo Polonio, I’d recommend bringing cash (message your accommodation to see if they accept card payments first), but for every other destination, you’ll likely be able to get away with a card.
That said, make sure you have a way to get cash. My credit card had a few issues in Uruguay and I had no choice but to go to an ATM and get cash. I’m not sure what happened as the same card worked at other locations on the same day and didn’t have issues in any other country. So because of this, I used a bit more cash than I had expected (on top of getting more cash than I needed at the start of my trip).
Uruguay is More Expensive Than Other South American Countries
Depending on where you’re coming from, you might get some sticker shock when you first enter Uruguay. Uruguay was my second most expensive country that I visited during my five months in South America (second only behind in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile where I spent a lot of money on tours to see the top sights).
Accommodation costs are higher. Food costs are higher. Transportation costs are higher. And it all adds up to more than you may be expecting when you visit a South American country.
Don’t get me wrong. Uruguay is still loads cheaper than traveling in the United States, but after six weeks in Colombia, I definitely had some sticker shock and had to readjust my mental budget.
Remember to Bring the Correct Plug
Some countries in South America use the same plug as the United States. Other countries use a plug like Europe. Some countries have outlets that allow you to use both a European plug and an American plug.
Uruguay uses the same plug type as Europe. Don’t forget to bring an adapter if you need one.
Uruguayans Love Mate, But It’s Not Easy to Find as a Tourist
When I arrived in Uruguay, I noticed so many people carrying around thermoses and cups. I didn’t think too much of it because I just assumed that’s what Uruguayans brought to the beach. Well those thermoses and cups didn’t disappear when I left the beach and I slowly realized that Uruguay has an obsession with mate. Argentina and Brazil also love their mate, but Uruguay brought that love to a whole new level.
Because of Uruguay’s love of mate, you might think that it’d be easy for you to get as a tourist. It’s really not. You may be able to find a few obscure bars or coffee shops that have mate on the menu, but they are few and far between. Uruguayans just always carry their own mate everywhere they go (to the point a lighthouse I visited explicitly stated that you needed to leave your bags and mate at the door) that restaurants don’t need to serve it.
So how do you try mate? Your best bet is to buy it in the supermarket. Unfortunately, this means that you’ll have a lot left over, but it’s just not easy to find in restaurants.
You Need More Spanish Than You Think
I’ve said this in nearly every post for tips for South American countries, but I’m going to say it again. The more Spanish you know, the easier your trip will be. You’ll find a bit of English, but not much. Be prepared and ready to use as much Spanish as you can.
Uruguay is Very Safe
I’d say that Uruguay was the safest country that I visited while I was in South America. While it’s true that I don’t drink alcohol and rarely go out at night, I felt very safe in Uruguay. In fact, I had an Argentinian (who was on vacation) and an Uruguayan tell me that I can let my guard down a bit. I had just come from Bogota, Colombia, so I was still on guard, but I gradually learned that I could let it down.
Of course, you’ll still want to follow general safety rules. But compared to other countries in South America, I found Uruguay to be very safe.
Don’t Expect to Shop in Montevideo on Sunday
This last tip is just a heads up more than anything. I went out in Montevideo on a Sunday and couldn’t believe how dead the area was. I realize that it was a weekend and I was in the touristy Old Town of the city, but I couldn’t believe how dead it was. Nearly every shop was closed up and there were significantly less people around.
So, I’d recommend not scheduling your big sightseeing day in Montevideo on a Sunday if at all possible.
Final Thoughts
Uruguay may not be one of the more popular countries to visit in South America, but there still are some great things to see. With these travel tips, you’ll be set up for success on your Uruguay vacation.
Continue Your Adventure
Uruguay: Don’t skip the capital city of Montevideo, though know that Colonia del Sacramento is prettier. For beach towns, consider the modern Punta del Este, the classic Punta del Diablo, or the off the beaten path Cabo Polonio. Determine your budget based on my Uruguay travel budget breakdown. Learn more in my Uruguay Travel Guide.
