Just like all travelers, it is recommended as that you get all your vaccinations up to date before traveling to Uruguay, particularly for Hepatitis A and yellow fever, and especially if you came from another South American or African country. If you have not been given measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations, our Uruguay travel safety tips recommend for you have two doses before you travel to Uruguay. Tetanus diphtheria vaccination should be repeated after ten years.

Generally you should avoid getting travelers’ diarrhea by taking precaution. Avoid drinking tap water and raw and undercooked food and those that are not freshly cooked. Drink bottled water and make sure you eat food, including fruits and vegetables from restaurants and quality food outlets. Do not sample street food and bring antibiotic and anti-diarrhea medication with you. Although there are several drug stores where you can get medicine, it is still advisable to pack an adequate supply of your personal medication in a kit for your hand-carried luggage and a duplicate pack to be included in your checked-in luggage. All your medication should be in their original containers and be sure to have a letter from your primary physician describing your medical conditions and a list of all your medications, including syringes and needles. Wear a medical alert bracelet if you have specific allergies and chronic medical conditions. As a precaution, do update your medical insurance and check how your insurer will pay for medical expenses, if necessary. Do remember that Medicaid and Medicare do not pay for medical services that are done outside of the US.

When traveling to Uruguay, it is important to remember some travel safety tips. You should be careful when you are sightseeing around Montevideo and always be aware of your surroundings. Take care that you keep your bags or wallets and your other valuables safe, preferably removing pieces of expensive jewelry and leaving them in the hotel while you go around the ports and the shopping areas as bag snatching and pick pocketing are getting common. Avoid walking alone around the downtown areas late at night and take a taxi back to your hotel. Other parts of Uruguay are relatively safe but you should also remain alert.

Although it is easier to take a taxi or enjoy bus rides while traveling around Uruguay, since the sights are close to each other, you need an international driver’s license to be able to drive a rental car around Uruguay. Most of the roads are in good condition, although care should be taken when you travel to the interior areas where the roads are not as well maintained as in the larger cities. Make sure that you park in well-lit areas and your car doors are locked. And as usual, see to it that you do not leave valuables inside the car or leave stuff that will be in plain view. Always wear a seatbelt, even if you are at the seated at the back of a taxicab. It is not an excuse that you are a tourist when you drink and drive. The drinking limit for drivers in Uruguay is 0.3 grams per liter and the transport police frequently use a breathalyzer on drivers. Avoid the hefty penalty and confiscation of your license by refraining from drinking if you have to drive.

These are just some Uruguay travel safety tips that you may consider for and enjoyable and safe travel to Uruguay. Keep our handy Travel Guide Uruguay handbook with you for your reference and as a reminder.