Frequently asked questions about Uruguay.

How long does the Paris – Montevideo flight take?

Flights from Paris Charles de Gaule to Uruguay's capital, Montevideo, typically take between 12 and 16 hours on average, depending mainly on layover duration. It's worth noting that two airlines offer this route: Air Europa and Iberia, both with a stopover in Madrid.

However, it's also common to arrive via Buenos Aires and then take a direct ferry to Montevideo.

In that case, many more airline options become available.

We recommend booking your tickets early, as flights fill up quickly during the peak summer season, which runs from October through March.

What is Uruguay's climate like?

Uruguay's weather is quite temperate, with mild winters and pleasant summers. On average, expect around 10°C in winter and 22°C in summer. Rainfall is fairly consistent throughout the year—Uruguay doesn't experience monsoon seasons.

Where is Uruguay located?

Uruguay is situated between two giants, Brazil and Argentina, in Latin America.

What is Uruguay's capital?

Montevideo is the capital, main port, and largest city in Uruguay. Montevideo boasts one of the most impressive ramblas (waterfront promenades) on the American continent. The city sits in the southern part of the country, bordering the Río de la Plata. It's home to roughly half the country's population—approximately 1.75 million people when including the metropolitan area. The city also features beautiful beaches!

What is the most widely practiced religion in Uruguay?

The majority of Uruguayans (60%) are Catholic. Uruguay also has small minorities of Jewish and Protestant communities. Today, many identify as non-practicing.

What is the traditional dress of Uruguayans?

Since Uruguay is a highly Europeanized country, Uruguayans generally dress much like Europeans. However, in the interior regions, it's not uncommon to see residents adopting gaucho style.

Who are the Gauchos?

To put it simply, gauchos are the cowboys of South America. They are livestock herders who live on ranches (estancias) and make their living from agriculture and cattle ranching.

Who is the President of Uruguay?

Tabaré Vázquez is the current President of Uruguay.

How many inhabitants does Uruguay have?

As of 2019, Uruguay has nearly 3,500,000 inhabitants.

What type of government does Uruguay have?

The Oriental Republic of Uruguay is a presidential republic.

Agriculture and livestock in Uruguay?

Agriculture is a very strong sector in Uruguay, producing rice, wheat, corn, and sugarcane. However, Uruguay's economy is heavily marked by cattle ranching. In fact, there are roughly four times as many cows as there are people—approximately 12 million cattle!

What are the key dates and facts to remember about the country?

- 1516, Discovery of the Uruguayan coast by the Spaniard Juan Díaz de Solís.

- 1724, Montevideo founded by Marshal Dom Bruno de Zabala.

- 1827, Independence of Uruguay.

- 1830, First Uruguayan Constitution.

- 1932, Right to vote granted to women.

- 2002, Right to abortion legalized.

- 2014, Legalization of marijuana to combat drug trafficking.

- 2018, Comprehensive law for transgender persons.

What is the Uruguayan currency?

The Uruguayan peso (UYU) is Uruguay's currency. The currency code is UYU and the symbol is $U.

Coins are typically minted in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, or 50.

Banknotes come in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, and 2000.

As of June 2019, 1€ = $U39

For €10, expect to exchange between $U360 and $U400 depending on the current exchange rate.

What is Uruguay's national anthem?

"Orientales, la Patria o la tumba," which translates to "Orientals, the Fatherland or the Tomb."

The national motto is "Libertad o Muerte," meaning "Liberty or Death."

What is the national sport of Uruguay?

Football, of course! As in most South American countries.