From: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Subject: DOSTRAVEL Uruguay Consular Information Sheet 07/28/99 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Thu, 29 Jul 1999 20:43:04 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Reply-To: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:2306 Path: world!root Sender: US Dept of State Travel Warnings Message-ID: <199907292044.PAA19196@piglet.cc.uic.edu> Approved: usenet@world.std.com Distribution: wstd Comments: To: dostravel@uic.edu Lines: 202 Uruguay - Consular Information Sheet July 28, 1999 COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Uruguay is a middle-income nation with a developing economy. The quality of facilities for tourism varies, according to price and area. The capital city is Montevideo. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for a visit of less than three months. For current information concerning entry and customs requirements for Uruguay, travelers may contact the Embassy of Uruguay at 2715 M St., N.W., third floor, Washington, D.C. 20007, tel. (202) 331-1313. Internet: http://www.embassy.org/uruguay/. Travelers may also contact the Consulate of Uruguay or the Honorary Consul in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Miami, Chicago, New Orleans, Chicago, New York, Seattle, Honolulu, or San Juan, Puerto Rico. SAFETY/SECURITY: There are no known threats directed specifically against U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Uruguay. While demonstrations or protests rarely occur, American citizens traveling or residing in Uruguay are advised to take commonsense precautions and avoid any large gatherings or any other event where crowds have congregated to demonstrate or protest. If such an event occurs, additional advice may be obtained from the U.S. Embassy at the telephone numbers listed below. CRIME INFORMATION: Street crime has become a serious problem in the capital, Montevideo. Pickpockets, purse snatchers and armed thieves are known to roam the Old City (Ciudad Vieja). U.S. citizens are strongly advised not to walk in 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, on buses, and when walking on the street or in markets. Taxicabs are considered to be a reliable means of transportation. Walking alone or in small groups in the downtown area after dark, or even during the day in well-traveled areas on the weekends, is not recommended. Persons openly displaying valuables or leaving them in sight in rented cars are more at risk of being robbed. Criminals often have weapons. Travelers should lock all airline-checked baggage and transport any valuables in carry-on luggage. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. U.S. citizens can refer to the Department of State9s pamphlet 3A Safe Trip Abroad" for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http:www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov. Also available at the same address is the Department of State publication, "Tips for Travelers to Central and South America". MEDICAL FACILITIES: Facilities for medical care are limited. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars or more. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment of medical services outside the United States. MEDICAL INSURANCE: Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties. Please check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation. Please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for the expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State9s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure 3Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad2 which is available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax: (202) 647-3000. OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1- 877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via their Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov. TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Uruguay is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. Safety of Public Transportation: Good Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair Availability of Roadside Assistance: Good In general, roads are in good condition throughout the country. Intercity highways are well maintained and generally good, but not in 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 about road conditions is available to Spanish speakers only through the Ministry of Transportation and Public Works9 Department of Transit or Department of Maintenance at tel. (598) (2) 916-2585, extensions 3437/38/39 and 3431/32/33, respectively. When driving, U.S. citizens are subject to local traffic laws. Given the high accident rate, drivers should exercise caution, especially on city streets and highways. Right of way at intersections is generally unmarked. Passing on the right and unexpected lane changing without signaling are common practices. Transit authorities acknowledge that excessive speed is a key factor contributing to injuries in vehicular accidents. After dark, many drivers, especially in taxis and buses, drive with no headlights. Many streets are poorly identified and illuminated. AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Uruguay9s Civil Aviation Authority as Category 3 -- not in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Uruguay9s air carrier operations. Flights to the U.S. by Uruguay9s 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 Internet website at http://cas.faa.gov. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) does not permit its personnel to use air carriers from Category 3 countries for official business. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the Pentagon at tel. 703-697-7288. CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Uruguay9s Customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary import or export of items such as precious jewels, gold, firearms, antiquities, medications, business equipment, etc. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Uruguay in Washington, D.C. or one of Uruguay9s consulates in the United States for specific information regarding Customs requirements. Travelers entering Uruguay with precious jewels or gold worth more than $500 U.S. must declare them to Customs officers at the port of entry or face possible detention or seizure of the goods based upon charges of contraband or evasion of Customs controls. The Uruguayan Customs Service does not currently have a Customs Information Sheet or Declaration Form for distribution by airline personnel on incoming flights, nor a Red/Green Light system at the disembarkation point at Carrasco International Airport in the Montevideo area to alert those who wish to make a declaration. Visitors are expected to comply with local law and regulations by approaching a Customs officer before routine inspection of all incoming baggage conducted on standard security equipment. CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country9s laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offences. Persons violating Uruguay9s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Uruguay are strict, and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and heavy fines. HUNTING PERMITS: The Uruguayan Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries strictly enforces all regulations regarding hunting permits, as well as seasonal and numerical limits on game. Visitors who contravene local law have been detained by the authorities and had valuable personal property (weapons) seized. Under Uruguayan law, seized weapons can only be returned after payment of a sum equivalent to the value of the property seized. Hunters are also subject to stiff fines for practicing the sport without all appropriate permits. Y2K INFORMATION: U.S. citizens contemplating traveling or residing abroad in late 1999 or early 2000 should be aware of potential difficulties. They may wish to consider taking practical precautions against possible disruptions of services triggered by the Y2K computer phenomenon. Please monitor the home page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs for updates on Y2K issues. The Government of Uruguay does not have an Internet site dedicated to Y2K issues, but some Y2K information is available on the Office of the President9s Internet site at: http://www.presidencia.gub.uy, the Uruguayan Central Bank9s site at: http://www.bcu.gub.uy, and the National Telecommunications Company site at: http://www.antel.com.uy. CHILDREN9S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children, international parental child abduction, and international child support enforcement issues, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children9s_issues.html, or telephone (202) 736- 7000. REGISTRATION/EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living in or visiting Uruguay are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Montevideo and obtain updated information on travel and security within Uruguay. The U.S. Embassy is located at Lauro Muller 1776, tel. (598)(2) 203-6061 or (598)(2) 408-7777; fax (598) (2) 408-4110. For security reasons, U.S. citizens are now encouraged to register by fax, but should call the American Citizen Services Unit at the U.S. Embassy (extension 288) first to inquire about the registration process. Further information is also available on our Embassy9s Internet site at: http://www.embeeuu.gub.uy/. * * * * This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated January 26, 1998 to provide updated information on Entry Requirements, Safety/Security, Crime Information, Medical Facilities, Medical Insurance, Other Health Information, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions, Aviation Safety Oversight, Customs Regulations, Hunting Permits, Y2K Information, Children9s Issues, and Registration/Embassy Location.