Uruguay is a year-round destination. However, most first-time visitors want to experience Uruguay’s coast, which has some of Latin America’s top beach destinations.

Summer in Uruguay is December to February, which means that some top beachside hotels and villas are booked a year in advance. After Carnival, most tourists head back home, leaving the seaside towns to their natural rhythm of surf and sunsets.

The shoulder season months of March and April, as well as October and November, offer a more tranquil scene and mild climates. Travel in these months pairs well with extensions to Brazil and Argentina.

Spanish is the official and predominant language in Uruguay. English is spoken in locations frequented by foreign visitors.

Still, here are some essentials to help you get started:

• Passport. Lock the original in the hotel safe and keep a copy (say, a photo of the passport’s photo page) with you at all times.
• US cash in small denominations (clean, un-torn bills). US dollars are happily accepted throughout Uruguay, and may help you obtain better prices at shops.
• Credit & ATM cards. ATMs are available and major credit cards are accepted at most restaurants and hotels. Please confirm your travel dates and destinations with your card issuers before you leave the country.
• Airline flight information
• Camera, batteries, & data cards (or film, if your hands are occasionally scented by fixer or selenium)
• Electrical adapters. Uruguayan electricity is officially 220V 50Hz. Many sockets have no ground pin. Uruguay generally use plug types C and I. Some sockets accept US plugs. Beware – this does not mean that these sockets deliver the US standard 110 volts. Make sure that your equipment can handle 220 volts; irreparable damage and even fire can result. Most laptop power adapters and many portable electronics chargers are designed to work on dual voltage; check the specifications for your equipment to be sure.
• Daypack or small backpack
• Sun protection (sunblock, sunhat, & sunglasses)
• Insect repellant
• Prescription medications
• Synthetic fleece pullover or other warm layer for cool evenings on the coast
• Swimwear
• Light, informal clothing for dining and hotel or in cities. In the evening locals usually dress smart casual or business casual but some restaurants are more formal.
• Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
• Casual dress code is recommended if you are planning on an Estancia day. Jeans or Khakis with a shirt, comfortable walking shoes or boots. Avoid inner seams if you plan to go horse riding.

Uruguay is generally quite safe; however, common-sense precautions are still important. Bag snatchers and pickpockets target public transportation hubs and tourist areas. As a general rule, you should not be out in the streets alone after dark. Stay in well-lit areas and be aware of your surroundings. Most incidents occur in the street. Keep your travel documents (e.g. passports) in the hotel safe or concealed in a zippered pocket. Leave that flashy wristwatch at home or in the hotel security box.