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Uruguay

Arriving in Uruguay: entry, SIM cards and transport

Check entry requirements, mobile options and ways to travel from the airports.

Spanish

Information from official sources, checked on the dates shown. It may change; confirm each detail with its source before travelling.

Names and logos identify their owners and do not imply sponsorship.

Visa, length of stay and customs.

Visa requirements

Uruguay’s National Migration Directorate maintains a country-by-country list of passports that require a visa in advance.

Source: www.gub.uy · Checked on 11 Nov

Visa requirements

A tourist visa allows a 90-day stay and may be extended for another 90 days.

Source: www.gub.uy · Checked on 11 Nov

Visa requirements

A visa application can take up to 60 days; applicants need a valid passport and signed form.

Source: www.gub.uy · Checked on 11 Nov

Entry requirement

Everyone entering or leaving Uruguay must complete the corresponding immigration procedure.

Source: www.gub.uy · Checked on 11 Nov

Customs and baggage

Sanitary controls prohibit bringing in food of animal or plant origin.

Source: www.gub.uy · Checked on 11 Nov

Entry requirement

Cash, precious metals and other monetary instruments must be declared when they exceed 10,000 US dollars.

Source: www.aduanas.gub.uy · Checked on 11 Nov

Passport and documents

An official guide says visitors from regional countries may enter with a valid national identity document, depending on country and mode of arrival.

Source: uruguaynatural.com · Checked on 11 Nov

Mobile operators, prepaid SIM cards and eSIM.

Antel

SIM card

The SIM card costs 65 Uruguayan pesos. A first top-up of at least 220 Uruguayan pesos is required to start service.

Source: tienda.antel.com.uywww.antel.com.uy · Checked on 11 Nov

Tigo

SIM card

Tigo lists its prepaid SIM for 60 Uruguayan pesos. No minimum first top-up is listed on the page checked.

Source: ayuda.tigo.com.uy · Checked on 11 Nov

Claro

SIM card

Claro provides the SIM card free at its branches with a national ID. Its terms require personal details before activation.

Source: asistencia.claro.com.uywww.claro.com.uy · Checked on 11 Nov

Tigo

eSIM

Tigo offers prepaid eSIM online, with first top-ups listed from 200 Uruguayan pesos.

Source: m.tigo.com.uy · Checked on 11 Nov

Claro

eSIM

Claro says prepaid lines can request an eSIM at a branch.

Source: asistencia.claro.com.uy · Checked on 11 Nov

Buses, taxis and transfers from the airports.

Carrasco International AirportMVD

Ciudad de la Costa / Montevideo

Bus service

The airport lists operators serving Montevideo, Canelones and Maldonado; we couldn't find a fare on the source page checked.

Source: aeropuertodecarrasco.com.uy · Checked on 11 Nov

Authorized taxi

The official taxi is booked at the arrivals desk, open 24 hours; the provider also offers WhatsApp booking and a fare calculator, but publishes no amount on the page.

Source: aeropuertodecarrasco.com.uywww.taxisaeropuerto.com · Checked on 11 Nov

Shuttle service

The Tourism Ministry lists private transfers as an option from Carrasco; we couldn't find a fare on the source page checked.

Source: uruguaynatural.com · Checked on 11 Nov

Uruguayan peso, exchange and payments.

Currency and cash

The Uruguayan peso is legal tender for commercial transactions.

Source: uruguaynatural.com · Checked on 11 Nov

Currency and cash

An official tourism guide lists 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 Uruguayan peso banknotes; the publication checked is from 2019.

Source: uruguaynatural.com · Checked on 11 Nov

Exchange rate

The Central Bank quote checked for November 10, 2026 lists the US dollar banknote at 40.519 Uruguayan pesos per US dollar. This is a dated reference.

Source: www.bcu.gub.uy · Checked on 11 Nov

Exchange rate

Exchange rates are free-floating and exchange houses operate across the country; the Central Bank links to an official directory.

Source: uruguaynatural.com · Checked on 11 Nov

Card payments

U.S. dollars are generally accepted at shops, supermarkets and restaurants. Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly accepted credit cards.

Source: uruguaynatural.com · Checked on 11 Nov

Tipping

The Tourism Ministry says it is customary to leave 10% of the bill at restaurants when service is not included.

Source: uruguaynatural.com · Checked on 11 Nov

Currency and cash

Carrasco Airport has a Global Exchange counter in arrivals, boarding and baggage claim areas.

Source: aeropuertodecarrasco.com.uy · Checked on 11 Nov

ATMs and fees

The Central Bank does not set one ATM-use fee. The machine must show the amount and reason before confirmation; no general fee for foreign cards was found.

Source: usuariofinanciero.bcu.gub.uy · Checked on 11 Nov

Local fares in Montevideo and Maldonado.

Montevideo

52 Uruguayan pesos

The STM card allows one-hour rides; the cash fare is 64 Uruguayan pesos. A standard card is free and can be loaded from 100 Uruguayan pesos.

Source: montevideo.gub.uy · Checked on 11 Nov

Maldonado / Punta del Este

39 Uruguayan pesos

Maldonado’s municipal government set the local fare on January 1, 2026. The rule allows cash or a valid travel card.

Source: www.maldonado.gub.uydigesto.maldonado.gub.uy · Checked on 11 Nov

Police, fire, ambulance and consumer support.

Police and general emergencies

9-1-1

Source: www.gub.uy · Checked on 11 Nov

Road distances from Montevideo.

Colonia del Sacramento

From Montevideo · 177 km

The 2019 Tourism Ministry table identifies the road route; intercity buses depart from Montevideo.

Source: uruguaynatural.com · Checked on 11 Nov

Maldonado

From Montevideo · 134 km

The 2019 Tourism Ministry road table identifies the route; intercity buses run along the coastal road.

Source: uruguaynatural.com · Checked on 11 Nov

Rocha

From Montevideo · 210 km

The 2019 Tourism Ministry road table identifies the route; intercity buses connect Montevideo with destinations around the country.

Source: uruguaynatural.com · Checked on 11 Nov

Paysandú

From Montevideo · 378 km

The 2019 Tourism Ministry road table identifies the route; intercity buses also serve the destination.

Source: uruguaynatural.com · Checked on 11 Nov

Salto

From Montevideo · 496 km

The 2019 Tourism Ministry road table identifies the route; intercity buses also serve Salto.

Source: uruguaynatural.com · Checked on 11 Nov

Rivera

From Montevideo · 501 km

The 2019 Tourism Ministry road table identifies the route; Tres Cruces operates intercity services.

Source: uruguaynatural.com · Checked on 11 Nov