Uruguay

Health Information for Travelers to Uruguay

Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Vaccines and Medicines

Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor (ideally, 4-6 weeks) before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need.


	Find Out Why	Protect Yourself
All travelers You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccines may also be required for travel.
Routine vaccines	Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot.
Most travelers Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.
Hepatitis A	CDC recommends this vaccine because you can get hepatitis A through contaminated food or water in Uruguay, regardless of where you are eating or staying.
Typhoid	You can get typhoid through contaminated food or water in Uruguay. CDC recommends this vaccine for most travelers, especially if you are staying with friends or relatives, visiting smaller cities or rural areas, or if you are an adventurous eater.
Some travelers Ask your doctor what vaccines and medicines you need based on where you are going, how long you are staying, what you will be doing, and if you are traveling from a country other than the US.
Hepatitis B	You can get hepatitis B through sexual contact, contaminated needles, and blood products, so CDC recommends this vaccine if you might have sex with a new partner, get a tattoo or piercing, or have any medical procedures.
Rabies	Rabies is present in bats in Uruguay. However, it is not a major risk to most travelers. CDC recommends rabies vaccine for only these groups: Travelers involved in outdoor and other activities in remote areas that put them at risk for bat bites (such as adventure travel and caving). People who will be working with or around bats (such as wildlife professionals and researchers).

All travelers

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccines may also be required for travel.

Routine vaccines

Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot.

Most travelers

Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.

Hepatitis A

CDC recommends this vaccine because you can get hepatitis A through contaminated food or water in Uruguay, regardless of where you are eating or staying.

Typhoid

You can get typhoid through contaminated food or water in Uruguay. CDC recommends this vaccine for most travelers, especially if you are staying with friends or relatives, visiting smaller cities or rural areas, or if you are an adventurous eater.

Some travelers

Ask your doctor what vaccines and medicines you need based on where you are going, how long you are staying, what you will be doing, and if you are traveling from a country other than the US.

Hepatitis B

You can get hepatitis B through sexual contact, contaminated needles, and blood products, so CDC recommends this vaccine if you might have sex with a new partner, get a tattoo or piercing, or have any medical procedures.

Rabies

Rabies is present in bats in Uruguay. However, it is not a major risk to most travelers. CDC recommends rabies vaccine for only these groups:

Travelers involved in outdoor and other activities in remote areas that put them at risk for bat bites (such as adventure travel and caving).
People who will be working with or around bats (such as wildlife professionals and researchers).

Key

Get vaccinated
Eat and drink safely
Keep away from animals
Reduce your exposure to germs
Avoid sharing body fluids
Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment

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Stay Healthy and Safe

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Uruguay, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Unclean food and water can cause travelers' diarrhea and other diseases. Reduce your risk by sticking to safe food and water habits.

Eat

Food that is cooked and served hot
Hard-cooked eggs
Fruits and vegetables you have washed in clean water or peeled yourself
Pasteurized dairy products

Don't Eat

Food served at room temperature
Food from street vendors
Raw or soft-cooked (runny) eggs
Raw or undercooked (rare) meat or fish
Unwashed or unpeeled raw fruits and vegetables
Unpasteurized dairy products
”Bushmeat” (monkeys, bats, or other wild game)

Drink

Bottled water that is sealed
Water that has been disinfected
Ice made with bottled or disinfected water
Carbonated drinks
Hot coffee or tea
Pasteurized milk

Don’t Drink

Tap or well water
Ice made with tap or well water
Drinks made with tap or well water (such as reconstituted juice)
Unpasteurized milk

Take Medicine

Talk with your doctor about taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs with you on your trip in case you get sick.

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Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Uruguay. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
FOR PROTECTION AGAINST MOSQUITOES ONLY: Products with one of the following active ingredients can also help prevent mosquito bites. Higher percentages of active ingredient provide longer protection.
- DEET
- Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or PMD
- IR3535
Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs.

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites.

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Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Uruguay include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
Heat-related illness, such as heat stroke, can be deadly. Eat and drink regularly, wear loose and lightweight clothing, and limit physical activity during high temperatures.
- If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
Protect yourself from UV radiation: use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
Do not dive into shallow water.
Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

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Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
Go to a doctor right away.
Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

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Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

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Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

Use latex condoms correctly.
Do not inject drugs.
Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

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Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Uruguay’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website (www.jointcommissioninternational.org).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

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Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Walking

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

Wear a seatbelt at all times.
Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Uruguay may be poor.
Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
If you choose to drive a vehicle in Uruguay, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.

Flying

Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

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Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
Monitor travel warnings and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate.
Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
Follow all local laws and social customs.
Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

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Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Uruguay for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

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Travel Health Notices

Be aware of current health issues in Uruguay. Learn how to protect yourself.

Watch Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions

Carnival and Mardi Gras March 20, 2015 This notice has been removed.

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After Your Trip

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic. Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel.

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Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

Exchange rate for 1 UYU - Uruguayan Peso
0.03 BMD Bermudan Dollar	0.03 EUR Euro	0.03 USD U.S. Dollar	0.02 GBP U.K. Pound Sterling	3.47 JPY Japanese Yen	0.04 CAD Canadian Dollar
0.03 CHF Swiss Franc	0.04 AUD Australian Dollar	0.80 UAH Ukrainian Hryvnia	10.77 KZT Kazakhstani Tenge	48.03 LBP Lebanese Pound	0.02 LYD Libyan Dinar
0.22 BOB Bolivian Boliviano	3.44 NPR Nepalese Rupee	0.01 OMR Omani Rial	0.12 QAR Qatari Rial	0.04 SGD Singapore Dollar	0.26 SEK Swedish Krona
0.21 TTD Trinidad Tobago Dollar	0.32 VEF Venezuelan Bolivar	1.46 DOP Dominican Peso	0.21 HRK Croatian Kuna	0.59 MXN Mexican Peso	18.70 XOF West African CFA Franc
0.10 PGK Papua New Guinean kina	0.03 BSD Bahamian Dollar	0.07 FJD Fiji Dollar	0.72 HNL Honduran Lempira	3.53 DZD Algerian Dinar	38.00 MMK Myanma Kyat
0.36 BWP Botswana Pula	0.11 PEN Peruvian Nuevo Sol	22.12 CLP Chilean Peso	15.25 AMD Armenia Dram	0.77 CZK Czech Koruna	0.64 MDL Moldova Lei
3.96 ISK Icelandic Krona	93.74 UZS Uzbekistan Sum	0.12 ILS Israeli New Sheqel	0.02 JOD Jordanian Dinar	0.01 KWD Kuwaiti Dinar	1.13 MUR Mauritian Rupee
0.91 NIO Nicaraguan Córdoba	0.27 NOK Norwegian Krone	0.13 PLN Polish Zloty	0.12 SAR Saudi Riyal	4.66 LKR Sri Lanka Rupee	1.14 THB Thai Baht
0.12 AED U.A.E Dirham	0.11 BRL Brazilian Real	0.13 RON Romanian New Leu	0.25 HKD Hong Kong Dollar	18.74 XAF Central African CFA Franc	716.90 VND Vietnamese Dong
0.44 ARS Argentine Peso	0.09 XCD East Caribbean Dollar	0.25 GTQ Guatemalan Quetzal	0.31 MAD Moroccan Dirham	0.01 BHD Bahrain Dinar	0.03 PAB Panamanian Balboa
0.05 AZN Azerbaijan Manat	99.45 COP Colombian Peso	2.18 KGS Kyrgyzstan Som	8.92 HUF Hungarian Forint	0.25 TJS Tajikistan Ruble	436.46 IDR Indonesian Rupiah
0.28 EGP Egyptian Pound	37.99 KRW South Korean Won	180.84 PYG Paraguayan Guaraní	0.13 MYR Malaysian Ringgit	17.19 CRC Costa Rican Colón	0.05 NZD New Zealand Dollar
3.34 PKR Pakistani Rupee	2.13 RUB Russian Rouble	0.50 ZAR South African Rand	0.07 TND Tunisian Dinar	0.06 BBD Barbadian Dollar	0.06 BGN Bulgarian Lev
0.09 TRY Turkish Lira	1.49 PHP Philippine Peso	1.04 TWD New Taiwan Dollar	6.27 NGN Nigerian Naira	3.42 XPF CFP Franc	0.12 GHS Ghanaian Cedi
3.98 JMD Jamaican Dollar	0.06 ANG Neth. Antillean Guilder	0.04 BND Brunei Dollar	3.53 RSD Serbian Dinar	0.21 CNY Chinese Yuan	634.72 BYR Belarussian Ruble
0.21 DKK Danish Krone	0.11 TMT New Turkmenistan Manat	2.15 INR Indian Rupee

	2021	2022
Epiphany	Mon. January 6	Mon. January 6
Carnival	Sat. February 15 to Sun. February 16	Fri. February 28 to Sat. March 1
Maundy Thursday	Tue. April 1	Mon. April 14
Good Friday	Wed. April 2	Tue. April 15
Landing of the 33 Patriots Day	Sat. April 19	Fri. April 18
Labour Day	Thu. May 1	Thu. May 1
Battle of Las Piedras	Sun. May 18	Fri. May 16
José Gervasio Artigas' Birthday	Thu. June 19	Thu. June 19
Constitution Day	Fri. July 18	Fri. July 18
New Year's Day	Wed. January 1	Wed. January 1
Independence Day	Mon. August 25	Mon. August 25
Día de la Raza	Sun. October 12	Fri. October 10
All Souls' Day	Sun. November 2	Sun. November 2
Christmas Day	Thu. December 25	Thu. December 25

Overview of Uruguay

Key Facts

Travel to Uruguay

Overview

Climate in Uruguay

Health Notes when travelling to Uruguay

Safety Notes when travelling to Uruguay

Customs in Uruguay

Duty Free in Uruguay

Doing Business in Uruguay

Communication in Uruguay

Tipping in Uruguay

Passport/Visa Note

Entry Requirements

Tourist Offices

Uruguay Embassies

Foreign Embassies in Uruguay

Travel Advisories

Health Information for Travelers to Uruguay

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