Business Customs
Business dress and appearance, as well as one’s general approach to business relations, should be conservative. Many businesspeople orient themselves more towards European markets and may be less enthusiastic to engage with U.S. companies. Many Uruguayans, however, are positively disposed towards the United States and they value its high-quality products. An advance appointment for a business visit is usually necessary and considered a customary courtesy. Punctuality is generally observed in business settings and business is discussed after social niceties. Business breakfasts, cocktails, and lunches are common. Dinners are common for closing a business agreement.
Travel Advisory
Uruguayan borders are open for international visitors. Since February 2023, testing and vaccination against COVID-19 is no longer required to enter the country. All international travelers must have health insurance. Travel circumstances and requirements may change so please check the Embassy website prior to making travel arrangements to ensure a smooth arrival into Uruguay.
For general travel advisories, please check:
Visa Requirements
U.S. citizens need a valid American passport, but Uruguay does not require visas for temporary visits of less than 90 days for holders of tourist passports. While this applies to most nationalities, some must apply for Visas. Those traveling on diplomatic or official passports must have a valid visa in addition to the passport. Business and tourist stays are limited to 90 days and may be extended an additional 90 days. VVisa applicants should visit the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Uruguay. isa
Currency
Uruguay’s local currency is the Uruguayan peso; as of June 2025, it traded at approximately 41.4 pesos to the U.S. dollar. Purchases of large items, such as real estate and automobiles, are always quoted in dollars, as are appliances and many types of household goods and services.
Most shops and restaurants in Uruguay accept credit and debit cards. Credit and debit card payments for certain tourist services, such as restaurants, car rentals, holiday accommodation rentals, and event catering, receive a 9 percent reduction in the 22 percent value-added tax (VAT), provided the card is issued abroad and the payment is made electronically. This benefit is currently in effect through April 28, 2026. There is no confirmed 2 percent VAT reduction for other types of credit card payments. Argentine and Brazilian currency is accepted mainly in border towns. Uruguay maintains a long tradition of not restricting the purchase of foreign currency or the remittance of profits abroad.
Since 2002, the peso has floated freely, albeit with periodic intervention from the Central Bank aimed at reducing volatility against the dollar. Foreign exchange can be readily obtained at market rates, and there is no foreign currency black market. Most U.S. ATM networks are easily accessible and will provide U.S. dollars or local currency, although some ATMs may limit U.S. dollar withdrawals to $200 per transaction. Traveler’s checks are not common.
Telecommunications/Electronics
There are three mobile telecommunications providers: ANTEL, Movistar, and Claro. According to the Uruguayan Government’s 2024 Telecommunications Sector Market Reports, state-owned ANTEL had 62 percent of the mobile contracts, followed by Movistar with 22 percent and Claro with 16 percent. In June 2025, Spanish telecommunications company Telefonica sold Movistar to Luxembourg-based Millicom, a telecommunications company that operates under the name Tigo in Latin America, expanding its presence in South America. Uruguay has some of the highest internet speeds in Latin America due to its widely spread fiber optic networks. In 2024, the country achieved an average download speed of 111.5 Mbps, ranking first in Latin America. Regarding mobile internet service, Uruguay leads Latin America with a median download speed of 75.63 Mbps according to a 2024 ranking by DPL News. Wi-Fi internet connection is accessible for free in major hotels, airports, cyber-cafes, shopping centers, and some public parks.
The most common means of communication, for personal use or customer service in some institutions and stores, is the WhatsApp messaging and calling app. WhatsApp can be used on any smartphone with a Uruguayan or international number and allows users to communicate with anyone in the world who is also registered on the app. There is no extra usage fee, but the phone must be connected to Wi-FI or mobile data.
To access the internet through mobile data, it is possible to purchase a prepaid SIM card or an eSIM from providers ANTEL or Movistar. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from ANTEL and Movistar stores, as well as from kiosks and at the airport. Both companies offer prepaid SIM cards (CHIP Prepago from ANTEL and Movistar Prepago from Movistar) with various top-up options and validity periods. The price of prepaid SIM cards in Uruguay generally starts at $5, including mobile data and national text and calls. eSIM are not so common but can still be accessed through companies like Saily and Holafly. However, it is necessary to check which devices are compatible with eSIM technology before purchasing one. eSIM are typically more expensive than traditional SIM cards but cover more countries of the region, making it a better option for tourists.
Transportation
American Airlines is the only U.S. carrier with direct non-stop flights between Montevideo and Miami, but it operates seasonally, between December and March. United Airlines services Montevideo daily with “codeshare” flights on Copa Airlines via Panama. Delta bought a 20 percent LATAM stake in October 2019 and now connects Uruguay and the United States via Santiago or Sao Paulo.
While internal transportation is mainly done by car or bus, Uruguay’s only domestic flight, Montevideo-Salto, resumed operations in 2024, connecting the capital with a key destination at the opposite end of the country. Within Montevideo, bus and taxi services are extensive, safe, and inexpensive. Uber and Cabify are widely used in Montevideo and are regulated by government. Car sharing is available in Uruguay, but it has not been extensively used. In 2022, the app Viatik was launched to allow drivers to split costs by sharing rides.
Language
Spanish is the official language. Although many in the business community speak English or other languages, interpreters are commonly used during business meetings or meeting with governmental entities. English is spoken by 56 percent of the population, followed by Portuguese, which is spoken by around 30 percent of the population.
Health
Uruguay experienced one of its worst droughts in its history between 2022 and 2023. To keep water running, the Government of Uruguay and OSE (the public company in charge of the water in Uruguay) decided to mix brackish water from additional rivers with water reserves. This substantially increased the level of sodium and chloride in the water. While the water emergency officially ended in August 2023, bottled water is recommended for personal consumption.
For current health advisory updates, please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Local Time, Business Hours, and Holidays
Uruguay observes standard time (GMT-3). Uruguay does not observe daylight saving time.
Normal business hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Banks are usually open from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Stores are generally open on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Shopping centers open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Local Holidays for Calendar Year 2025
Jan. 1 New Year’s Day
Jan. 6 Three King’s Day
Mar. 3-4 Carnival (40 days before the beginning of Tourism Week)
Apr. 14-21 Tourism Week (dates vary from year to year)
Apr. 19 Landing of the 33 Orientals
May 1 Labor Day
May 18 Battle of Las Piedras
June 19 José Gervasio Artigas’ Birth
July 18 Constitution Day
Aug. 25 Independence Day
Oct. 12 Day of the Races
Nov. 2 All Souls Day
Dec. 25 Christmas Day
Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings
There are no restrictions on the temporary entry of business-related equipment such as laptops. Refundable deposits on some equipment may be required and are payable at the point of entry.
Bringing samples
You cannot bring samples into Uruguay as part of your personal luggage. However, there is a special simplified process that allows you to import samples without paying taxes. This process is only available to companies. To use it, you must hire a licensed customs broker (despachante de aduana) and complete an import customs declaration (DUA – Documento Único Aduanero). To use this process, each sample and its packaging must clearly say:
”Muestra sin valor comercial no apta para su comercialización.” In English it means: “Sample with no commercial value not for sale”
On the customs declaration, you must state:
- The sample has no commercial value and will not be sold.
- The sample is only for display, demonstration, or analysis.
- For imports, you must include the address where the sample will be kept.
If needed, Uruguay’s National Customs Directorate (Dirección Nacional de Aduanas) may require the sample to be marked so it cannot be sold. This may include putting permanent marks, cuts, or holes in the sample. If a sample cannot be marked – like a liquid – it must be in a very small amount and have no commercial label. Only substance classification labels should be used.
If the sample has a commercial value (meaning it could be sold), and its customs value is under $500, it can still qualify under this regime. This simplified import process can only be used four times per year by each importer. For medical products, you must get approval from Uruguay’s Ministry of Public Health (MSP). The approval depends on the type of product, such as cosmetics or medical devices. You can find more information at the Ministry’s website: https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-salud-publica.