From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Uruguay Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Tue, 27 Jan 1998 15:01:40 GMT Organization: The World, Public Access Internet, Brookline, MA Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1601 Path: world!leao Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Message-ID: <199801271005_MC2-30D7-36AE@compuserve.com> Content-Disposition: inline Precedence: bulk Sender: "U.S. Department of State" <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Mime-Version: 1.0 Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 112 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Uruguay ============================================================ Uruguay - Consular Information Sheet January 26, 1998 Country Description: Uruguay is a middle-income nation with a developing economy. The capital city is Montevideo. The quality of facilities for tourism varies, according to price and area. Entry Requirements: A passport is required. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for a visit less than three months. For current information concerning entry and customs requirements for Uruguay, travelers can contact the Uruguayan Embassy at 2715 M St., N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20007, tel. (202) 331-1313, or the nearest Uruguayan consulate in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Miami, Chicago, New Orleans, New York, or San Juan, Puerto Rico. Medical Facilities: Facilities for medical care are limited. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. In some cases, medical insurance with specific overseas and medical evacuation coverage has proven to be useful. For additional health information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline at tel. (404) 332-4559, Internet: http://www.cdc.gov. Crime Information: There are no known threats directed specifically against U.S. citizens visiting Uruguay. Travelers should be aware, however, that street crime has become a serious problem in Montevideo. Pickpockets, purse snatchers and armed thieves are known to roam the Old City (Ciudad Vieja). U.S. citizens visiting Montevideo are strongly advised not to walk into or within this area and the neighborhoods surrounding the port zone. Travelers are also strongly advised to exercise caution in the downtown area, especially near hotels and commercial areas, walking on the street or in markets, and riding on buses. Taxicabs are considered a reliable means of transportation. Walking alone or in small groups in the downtown area after dark, or on the weekends, during the day, is not recommended, even in well-traveled areas. Persons openly displaying valuables or leaving them in sight in rented cars are more at risk to be robbed. Criminals often have weapons. Travelers should lock all airline-checked baggage and transport any valuables in carry-on luggage. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad." It is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Also available from the same address is the Department of State's publication, "Tips for Travelers to Central and South America." Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties in Uruguay for possession, use and trafficking of illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. Road Conditions/Driving: In general, roads are in good condition throughout the country. U.S. citizens are subject to local traffic laws when driving. Caution should be exercised when driving. Right of way at intersections is generally unmarked. Unexpected lane changing with no signal from other drivers is common. After dark, many drivers, especially taxis and buses, drive with no headlights. Many streets are poorly identified and illuminated. Intercity highways are generally excellent and well maintained, but they are not necessarily in such good shape during all weather conditions. The more traveled routes, such as the highway between Punta del Este and Montevideo, have service stations, tow trucks, and other facilities. Information on road conditions is available to Spanish speakers through either the Ministry of Transportation and Public Works Department of Transit or Department of Maintenance. They may be reached at tel. (598) (2) 916-2585, extensions 3437/38/39 and 3431/32/33, respectively. Civil Aviation Oversight: As the result of its September 1993 assessment, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has found the government of Uruguay's civil aviation authority not to be in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Uruguay's air carrier operations. Operations to the U.S. by Uruguay's air carriers are not permitted unless they arrange to have their flights conducted by a carrier from a country meeting international aviation safety standards. For further information, travelers may contact the U.S. Department of Transportation within the U.S. at tel. 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA's home page at http://www.faa.gov/faahome.htm. Based on the FAA's determination, the Department of Defense (DOD) does not permit its personnel to use carriers from Uruguay for official business except in extenuating circumstances. Questions regarding this DOD policy may be directed to the Pentagon at tel. 703-697-7288. Embassy Location/Registration: American citizens are encouraged to register and to obtain updated security and travel information at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Montevideo at Lauro Muller 1776, tel. (598) (2) 23-60-61 or (598) (2) 48-77-77. No. 98-11 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated September 2, 1994, to update information on road conditions/driving and civil aviation oversight. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. To unsubscribe, send a message containing the word "unsubscribe" to: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL: "http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher: gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories