Uruguay

Recommended Vaccinations For Uruguay

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is an intermediate risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Yellow Fever Vaccine

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies Vaccine

The risk of exposure to rabies is low, but pre-travel vaccination against rabies is recommended for travelers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travelers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Persons with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travelers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Uruguay

There are no recommendations for Uruguay at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Uruguay

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a risk of hepatitis A in Uruguay through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Hepatitis B

There is an intermediate risk of hepatitis B in Uruguay.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever can occur in Uruguay.

For Some Travellers

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya may occur in this country.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites.

West Nile Fever

There is a risk of acquiring West Nile virus in this country.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with a sick person.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Measles

There is a risk of acquiring Measles in this country.

Chagas Disease

The risk for travellers is extremely low. There is a higher risk if staying in poor quality housing that might harbour the insect that transmits this disease.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Uruguay, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies

Rabies has been reported in domestic animals and bats. Travelers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travelers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) are at higher risk. Long-term travelers and expatriates may come in contact with rabid animals..

Safety & Security in Uruguay

Personal Safety

Petty crime is the main concern for visitors in Montevideo and beach resort areas. Pickpocketing and purse snatching happen frequently in crowded markets, bus terminals like Tres Cruces in Montevideo, and popular tourist spots. Crime increases during summer months from December to March when criminals move from Montevideo to beach destinations including Punta del Este, Rocha, and Colonia del Sacramento. Criminals often work in pairs on motorcycles, approaching victims at traffic lights, parking lots, or ATMs to steal wallets, phones, or bags before escaping quickly. Armed robberies can occur at crowded restaurants and financial centers. Express kidnappings, while not common, have occurred where victims are forced to withdraw small amounts from ATMs. Theft from parked cars is widespread, particularly in the Carrasco neighborhood of Montevideo. Thieves smash windows at traffic lights and junctions to grab visible items. Violent crime including homicides, armed robberies, and carjackings happen throughout the country and affect visitors. The homicide rate reached 11.2 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023, higher than neighbors like Argentina, Chile, and Paraguay but much lower than Brazil or Colombia.

Extreme Violence

Violent crime including homicides, armed robberies, carjackings, and aggravated assaults occur throughout Uruguay. The homicide rate in 2023 was 11.2 per 100,000 inhabitants, up from 7.5 in 2014. Homicides have remained elevated since a spike in 2018 and are increasingly linked to organized crime and drug trafficking through the port of Montevideo. Most violent incidents are concentrated in specific neighborhoods in northern Montevideo and areas near the Brazilian border related to smuggling operations. Armed criminals target grocery stores, restaurants, and small businesses where bystanders are sometimes victimized. Pocitos neighborhood in Montevideo experiences armed robberies at crowded restaurants, particularly late at night. Gang-related violence occurs in certain neighborhoods though these areas are rarely frequented by tourists. The country’s prisons are overcrowded at 121 percent capacity and organized crime groups use them for recruitment, raising concerns about expanding criminal networks. Uruguay faces rising threats from transnational organized crime as its ports become transit points for cocaine headed to Europe and Africa. Several Brazilian criminal groups have begun expanding operations across the border into northern Uruguay.

Political Unrest

Uruguay has a stable democracy and is considered one of the most politically stable countries in Latin America. Demonstrations occur regularly in Montevideo and are generally peaceful, though they can disrupt traffic and public transportation. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. Uruguay ranked first in the Americas and 11th globally in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2022 Democracy Index. The country has a strong tradition of consensus-building and pragmatic politics where new administrations typically refine rather than undo previous government work. Political transitions are peaceful and elected officials serve full terms. Uruguay experienced a civic-military dictatorship from 1973 to 1985 but transitioned successfully back to democracy. There is no recent history of terrorism in Uruguay. Labor strikes can halt public transportation with minimal advance notice. Opposition parties are competitive and the electoral system functions effectively. Crime rather than political instability is the primary concern in national discourse, and the country rejected authoritarian security proposals in recent elections.

Areas To Avoid

In Montevideo, avoid Casavalle, Cerro, La Teja, Cerro Norte, Barrio Borro, Barrio Marconi, Flor de Maronas, La Union, La Aduana, Barrio Sur, and Palermo. These neighborhoods have higher crime rates including theft and occasional gang-related violence. Tourists rarely have reason to visit these areas. Keep away from isolated or poorly lit areas at night throughout the city. Avoid walking downtown or in the port area alone, especially at night and on weekends. Side streets in Ciudad Vieja can be unsafe even during daytime when crowds thin out, though main streets like Perez Castellano, Rincon, Buenos Aires, and Sarandi are generally safe during the day. Only Plaza Independencia, the pedestrian street Sarandi, and Mercado del Puerto are continuously patrolled by police in the Old City. Crime increases at night and on weekends in Ciudad Vieja and the port area. The safest areas where visitors typically stay include the coastal neighborhoods of Pocitos, Punta Carretas, and Carrasco, located between the Port of Montevideo and Carrasco, south of Italia Avenue. Towns near the Brazilian border have higher crime rates linked to smuggling operations. During winter months, beach towns can experience increased crime when they are less populated.