Uruguay Travel Overview
Important facts
Capital: Montevideo (See more on SIMPLYYELLOWPAGES.COM)
Official language: Spanish
Currency: Uruguay Peso en Unidades Indexadas
Continent: South-South America
Travel in Uruguay
Uruguay has long been an insider tip among travelers in South America. Discover the unique beauty and cosmopolitanism that characterize this country.
Location
According to Countryaah, Uruguay is located in the south-east of the South American continent. Its eastern location is the reason why the official state name is ” Oriental Republic of Uruguay”. Oriens in this case has the Spanish meaning of east. The country borders on Brazil. After Suriname it is the second smallest country in South America. It also borders on Atlantic and Argentina.
Holidays
In Uruguay you can combine city trips, beach holidays and the nature of South America in a unique way. The city’s nightlife is lively and the cuisine is plentiful. In general, it can be said that the country’s cuisine is close to Central and Southern European cuisine. Similar to Argentina, Uruguay is characterized by cattle breeding, which is why you will find huge steaks and a wide variety of grilled dishes in every restaurant.
Useful information
The country is well developed in terms of transport. In Uruguay there are buses between the cities and taxis are relatively cheap. Additionally, many people hitchhike to explore the country as it is considered relatively safe in Uruguay. The country’s crime rate is the lowest in Latin America!
Currency
Currency (sub-unit)
Uruguay Peso en Unidades Indexadas
ISO 4217 code
UYI / 940
Currency (sub-unit)
Peso (100 centesimos)
ISO 4217 code
UYU / 858
Geography
Continent: South America
Region: south
Geo coordinates: S -32 ° -31 ‘-22 ” W -55 ° -45’ -57″
Highest mountain: Cerro Catedral (514 m)
Total area: 176,220 km²
Mainland: 173,620 km²
National border: 1,564 km
Coastline: 660 km
Politics
Dependency: Brazil until 1825
UN member since: 1945
Other political affiliation: Organization of American States
Form of government: Presidential Republic
Houses of Parliament: bikameral
Party system: Multi-party system
State building: centralized
Political culture: Subject / citizen culture
Particularities: Elective from 18 years of age
Economy
Export goods: Wool, meat, hides
BSP: $ 17,577,000,000
GDP: $ 17,969,000,000
GDP purchasing power parity: $ 36,040,000,000
Economic growth: 5.6%
GDP share of agriculture: 8.9%
GDP share of industry: 32.3%
GDP share of services: 58.8%
Inflation rate: 4.2%
Unemployment: 11.8%
State budget revenue: $ 4294967295
State budget expenditure: $ 4294967295
Export: $ 3,372,000,000
Import: $ 3,220,000,000
Foreign debt: $ 14,530,000,000
Gold and currency reserves: $ 3,544,000,000
Electricity consumption: 8,347 million KWh
Gas consumption: 80 million m³
Oil consumption: 40,100 million m³
Cultivation area: 8.16%
Bovine: 11,977,000 pieces
Sheep: 11,080,000 pieces
Fishing: 127,000 t
Demographic data
Residents: 3,432,000
Residents in cities: 3.190.100
Minorities: 8% mestizo, 4% black
Average age: 32.7 years
0-14 years: 22.9%
15-64 years: 63.9%
> 65 years: 13.2%
Population growth: 0.46%
Birth rate: 13.91 / 1,000 residents
Death rate: 9.05 / 1,000 residents
Migration: -0.25 / 1,000 residents
Ratio men / women: 0.95
Fertility: 1.89 children / woman
Infant mortality: 11.61 ‰
Life expectancy men: 73.12 years
Life expectancy women: 79.65 years
Country codes and abbreviations
ISO 3166 Alpha 2: UY
ISO 3166 Alpha 3: URY
ISO 3166 numeric: 858
Top Level Domain: uy
IOC country code: URU
UN / LOCODE: UY
Source: Abbreviationfinder
Communication
Telephone connections: 1,089,000
Cell Phones: 1,117,000
Radios: 2,060,000
TV: 1,940,000
Computer: 640,000
Internet users: 1,120,000
Transportation
Railway lines: 2,073 km
Paved roads: 8,122 km
Cars: 702,000
Merchant fleet (ships over 1,000 GRT): 13
Pipelines: 192
Health
Number of doctors: 13.110
Daily food intake: 2.880 kcal / resident
HIV- infected people: 6,200
Education
Illiteracy: 2%
History
Foundation: 1825
Last sovereign since: 1825
Religion
Main religious group: Christians
Distribution of religions: 66% Catholics, 2% Protestants, 2% Jews
Crime
Prison inmates: 7,200
Military
Armed forces (troop strength): 24,000
Main battle tank: 20th
Battleships: 3
Warplanes: 40
Defense Spending: $ 404.9 million
GETTING THERE
Arriving by plane
Uruguay’s international airports are served by all major airlines. In general, flights go via Madrid / Buenos Aires or via Rio de Janeiro / Sao Paulo. Iberia (IB), Iberia Express (I2) and TAM Airlines together serve the route Frankfurt via Madrid and Paulo to Montevideo. Iberia (IB) flies in cooperation with the Uruguayan BQB Airlines (5Q) from Zurich or Geneva via Madrid and Buenos Aires to Montevideo. Air France (AF) flies from Paris via Buenos Aires to Montevideo. Air Europa (UX) flies non-stop from Madrid to Montevideo.
Air passes
The TAM South American Airpass is valid on all routes of the participating airlines within Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile (with the exception of Easter Island), Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. The participating airline is: TAM (JJ). The pass is valid for stays of a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 45 days and is only available to passengers who are resident outside of South America in conjunction with an international round-trip ticket. A minimum of 2 and a maximum of 5 countries must be visited. A maximum of 8 flight coupons are allowed (9 if Iguazú is being flown to), with a maximum of 2 flight interruptions (stopovers) per country. The flight route must be specified in the ticket and firmly reserved. Flights may be rebooked, but the flight route may not be changed. Children under 12 years of age receive a 25% discount, infants under 2 years of age (without their own seat) 90% discount.
The Oneworld Visit South America Pass is valid on routes operated by participating airlinesAmerican Airlines, British Airways, LAN, Qatar Airwaysand their affiliated airlines within South America in the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Applicable only to passengers residing outside of South America. Valid for a maximum of 6 months from arrival in South America. The Airpass includes at least 3 coupons. The number of coupons is not limited. A coupon is required for each section of the route. The stopovers are limited to the number of coupons purchased. Children from 2 years of age: no discount. Infants under 2 years of age are free (no seat occupancy). The reservation of the entire route must be made before departure or the ticket is issued. A fee of US $ 15 will be charged for each route change or change to the flight date. Cancellation fees: Refunds before departure, No reimbursement after departure. Purchase of tickets / issue before departure in Germany.
Departure fee
US $ 40 from Carrasco International; US $ 19 from Carrasco to Buenos Aires.
Arrival by car
Long distance and TTL buses regularly connect Brazil with Uruguay. The coaches are modern and have a bar, TV, radio and toilet. Driving time from Montevideo to Porto Alegre (Brazil) 14 hours, to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) 59 hours. Further connections weekly with EGA and EXP.Brujula buses from Asunción and Iguazú (Paraguay) and from Santiago (Chile). Buses operated by the transport company Belgrano, Cauvi, Anetra (Internet: www.anetra.com.uy) and B. Carrera connect Montevideo with Buenos Aires in Argentina.
Arriving by train
No passenger service to Brazil and Argentina.
Arrival by ship
Montevideo is the largest international port in the country and is called by cargo ships from Europe and the USA.
Ferries connect Buenos Aires (Argentina) with Montevideo (travel time: 10 hours), there are also daily high-speed ferries from Buquebus (Internet: www.buquebus.com), including the “Francisco” ferry (travel time 2 hours 12 minutes).
Ship connections from Colonia (160 km west of Montevideo) to Buenos Aires and hydrofoils (three times a day).
ON THE GO
Departure fee
From Carrasco Airport: US $ 2.
On the way by car / bus
The road network covers around 50,000 km, of which 8683 km are motorways. 80% of the road network is paved or otherwise paved. Bus: Two bus companies (CITA and UCOT (Internet: www.ucot.net)) operate nationwide, they connect all cities in the country and the border crossings to Brazil. There are also a large number of regional bus companies such as COTA, MINUANO, NUNEZ, SABELIN and INTERTUR. Rental cars are available in Montevideo. Documentation: International driver’s license recommended. A limited driving license (valid for 90 days) is issued in the town hall (Municipio).
Traveling in the city
Montevideo has an extensive bus network, with some trolleybuses operating in the city and suburbs, and suburban and commuter trains between 25 de Agosto Montevideo Central Station and Progreso. Standard fares apply in the city center. There are metered taxis in all cities and at airports, and drivers have a price list. Each piece of luggage costs extra, and there is a surcharge from 24.00-06.00. Taxis can be hired for a flat rate by the hour within the cities.
On the go by train
Regular commuter trains connect Montevideo with San José every day except Sundays via the stations Colon, La Paz, El Dorado, Canelones, Margat, 25 de Agosto and Rodriguez. There are no regular long-distance trains in Uruguay. Ferrocarril Feliz operates special trains for tourism.
On the way by ship
1250 km of waterways, mainly on the Uruguay and the Río de la Plata. No scheduled ferry connections on the major rivers. The Río Uruguay is navigable from Colonia to Salto and the Río Negro (from northeast to northwest) to the port city of Mercedes.