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Cars 4 Rental Information on Uruguay

General

Area: 176,215 sq km (68,037 sq miles).

Population: 3,341,521 (2001).

Population Density: 19.0 per sq km.

Capital: Montevideo. Population: 1,378,707 (1996).

GEOGRAPHY: Uruguay is one of the smallest of the South American republics. It is bordered to the north by Brazil, to the southeast by the Atlantic, and is separated from Argentina in the west and south by the River Uruguay, which widens out into the Rio de la Plata estuary. The landscape is made up of hilly meadows broken by streams and rivers. There is a string of beaches along the coast. Most of the country is grazing land for sheep and cattle. Montevideo, the most southern point of the nation, accommodates more than half of the population. About 90 per cent of the land is suitable for agriculture, although only 12 per cent is used in this way. Uruguay is known as the ‘Oriental Republic’ because it stands on the eastern bank of the Rio de la Plata.

Government: Republic since 1967. Gained independence from Spain in 1828. Head of State and Government: President Jorge Batlle Ibez since 2000.

Language: Spanish. Some English is spoken in tourist resorts.

Religion: Roman Catholic is the predominant religion.

Time: GMT - 3.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Continental flat three-pin or round two-pin plugs.

Communications:

Telephone

IDD is available to Uruguay, but callers from Uruguay may experience difficulty, although direct dialling is possible. Country code: 598. Outgoing international code: 00. The local telephone service, which is operated by the Government, is good.

Mobile telephone

GPRS, GSM and TDMA networks are operated by Ancel (website: www.ancel.com.uy). A CDMA network is operated by Movicom Bellsouth (website: www.movicom.com.uy).

Fax

Facilities are widely available.

Internet

ISPs include Movinet (website: www.movinet.com.uy) and Uruguay Net (website: www.uruguaynet.com.uy). There are Internet cafes in main urban areas.

Telegram

These can be sent worldwide through Italcable, ITT Comunicaciones, Mundiales SA and Western Telegraph Co Ltd.

Post

Post office hours: 0800-1800 (main post office in the old city, Montevideo: 0900-1900). Airmail to Europe takes 3 to 5 days.

Press

All newspapers are in Spanish; the most popular dailies include El Diario, La Maana and El Pas.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

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Money

Currency: Peso Uruguayo (urug$) = 100 centcimos. Notes are in the denominations of urug$1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of urug$10, 5, 2 and 1.

Currency exchange: Visitors are advised to buy local currency at banks and exchange shops, as hotels tend to give unfavourable rates. Inflation in Uruguay, though less severe than in other Latin American countries, leads to frequent fluctuations in the exchange rate.

Credit & debit cards: American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are the most commonly used. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. ATMs may reject European or US credit cards.

Travellers cheques: Sterling travellers cheques can only be changed at The Bank of London & South America; visitors are therefore advised to carry US Dollar travellers cheques (US$50 and US$100 denominations only).

Currency restrictions: There are no restrictions on the import or export of either local or foreign currency.

Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Peso Uruguayo against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date Aug ’03 Nov ’03 Feb ’04 May ’04
£1.00= 44.34 48.54 53.53 52.91
$1.00= 27.79 28.60 29.41 29.62

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 1300-1700.

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Health

Special Precautions Certificate Required
Yellow Fever No No
Cholera No No
Typhoid and Polio 1 N/A
Malaria No N/A

1: There is a slight risk of typhoid fever but no cases of polio have been reported in Uruguay in recent years; vaccination against typhoid is advised.

Food & drink: Mains water is considered safe to drink. Drinking water outside main cities and towns may be contaminated and sterilisation is advisable. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

Health care: Uruguay has an excellent medical service. Private health insurance is recommended.

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Climate

Uruguay has an exceptionally fine temperate climate, with mild summers and winters. Summer is from December to March and is the most pleasant time; the climate during other seasons offers bright, sunny days and cool nights.

Required clothing: Mediumweight clothing for winter; lightweight clothing and raincoat required.

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Passport

Passport Required Visa Required Return Ticket Required
British Yes No Yes
Australian Yes No Yes
Canadian Yes No Yes
USA Yes No Yes
OtherEU Yes No/1 Yes
Japanese Yes No Yes

PASSPORTS: Valid passport required by all except:
(a) nationals of Uruguay who arrive from Argentina, Brazil, Chile or Paraguay with a national identity card;
(b) nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay and Peru with a national identity card for stays of up to 90 days.

VISAS: Required by all except the following for stays of up to three months:
(a) nationals of countries referred to in the chart above, except 1. nationals of Estonia who do need a visa;
(b) nationals of Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Jamaica, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Romania, Seychelles, South Africa, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey and Venezuela.

Types of visa and cost: Tourist: £27. Business and Tourist: Enquire at Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) for cost as it may vary with the exchange rate.

Validity: Visas are for stays of up to three months, except for visas issued to Malaysian nationals which are valid for one month. Extensions for a further three months are possible; apply at the Immigration Office in Uruguay.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section.

Application requirements: (a) Valid passport. (b) One passport-size photo. (c) Completed application form. (d) References in Uruguay (name, address and phone number) or hotel booking confirmation. (e) Return ticket and travel documentation (including the flight number and the dates of arrival and departure). (f) Postal applications should be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. (g) For business visits, a letter from the company in the country of origin.

Working days required: 14.

Temporary residence: Enquire at Embassy.

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