Uruguay
Population
Uruguay is home to 3.3 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the metropolitan area of its capital and largest city, Montevideo.
Local Time
Uruguay is GMT/UTC - 3h during Standard Time. Uruguay will not observe daylight saving time in 2016. A final decision on future daylight saving time usage has not been determined.
Currency
The Uruguayan Peso (UYU) is the official form of currency of the country. For example: $1 USD is approximately 32 UYU.
Electrical Current
Electrical sockets (outlets) in Uruguay (Republica Oriental del Uruguay) supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC.
Water
Locals swear that the drinking water in Uruguay is perfectly healthy; in fact, Uruguay was the only country in the Americas (along with the nations of the Caribbean) to escape the cholera pandemic of the early 1990s. If you are concerned, stick with bottled water.
Entry Requirements
Citizens of EU member states, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand (among others) travelling as tourists do not need a visa to enter Uruguay. Visitors receive a tourist card that allows for a stay of up to 90 days. You get an automatic extension by leaving the country and re-entering.
A departure tax of US$31 is levied on departure if you leave by air (US$17 if you are flying to Buenos Aires). You can pay the tax in pesos.
Climate
Reports of Montevideo's classic Mediterranean climate have been much exaggerated. The closest European climatic equivalent is Lisbon; if you are in North America, think the shore of South Carolina.
Average highs in the summer (December – February) are 27C - 29C (80.6 - 84.2F) with lows in the 17C - 19C (62.6 - 66.2F) bracket. On the rare summer nights when there is no breeze, the city can be as breathless as Buenos Aires. Dramatic thunderstorms build up from time to time in the summer.
You should take precautions against the sun in Uruguay. The rays, both in spring and in summer, are very strong. Many Uruguayans don't go to the beach before 4 pm in the summer after news broke about a hole in the ozone layer directly above the country.
For more information – www.uruguaynow.com