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>> BANKING AND CURRENCY EXCHANGE
Banking hours: 1:00 to 5:00 pm
“Pesos Uruguayos” are our official currency; American dollars are available in hotels, rental cars companies and also malls.
Currency exchange services are available for the following foreign currencies: American dollars, Canadian dollars, Australian dollars, British Pound Sterling, Euro, Japanese Yen, Chilean pesos, Argentinean pesos, Reales, Swiss franc, and in some bureau offices you could exchange Bolivar and Mexican pesos.
Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) or cash flow machines are available throughout the city.
At the moment (September, 2004) one Uruguayan peso was equivalent to the following:
American dollars 29,59
Argentinian peso 9,50
Real 9,80
Euro 36,90
>> GOODS & SERVICES TAX
Goods and services in Uruguay are subject to a 14% (i.e., hotels) to 23% (i.e., restaurants) tax denominated “I.V.A.”.
This tax is included in the prices and it is clearly stated. This tax cannot be claimed back when leaving the country.
>> TIPPING
Tipping is not required but is offered for good service. If you liked the service, we recommend a 10%.
>> EXAMPLES OF AVERAGE COSTS
At a Restaurant
Dinner (bistec with potatoes or salad): $140 (U$S5 - American dollars)
Hamburguer with lettuce, tomatoes and chips: $60 (U$S2 - American dollars)
Bottle of soft drink (500 ml Coke or Pepsi): $30 (U$S1 - American dollars)
Bottle of wine (750 ml): $120 (U$S4 - American dollars)
Beer (500 ml): $40 (U$S1,30 - American dollars)
Petrol/gas (1 lt): $29 (U$S1 - American dollars)
At a supermarket
Bottle of soft drink (500 ml Cocke or Pepsi): $15 (U$S0,50 - American dollars)
Bottle of wine (750 ml): $80 (U$S2,70 - American dollars)
Bottle of beer (1 lt): $30 (U$S1 - American dollars).
>> SHOPPING MALLS Hours
Opening hours are from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM for major department stores, every day of the week, including Saturdays and Sundays.
>> ELECTRICITY
Uruguay has electricity in 95 per cent of households and we uses a 220-Volt system with 3 pin on line plugs or 3 pin flat plugs. Adapters for USA and European plugs are readily available at the hotels and conference rooms.
>> HEALTH
There is no malaria, yellow fever or other parasitic diseases in the country.
At certain times there are a few horseflies, mosquitoes and other nuisances in the countryside.
Uruguay has drinking water supplied to 85 per cent of the population which include the countryside (all water in Montevideo is drinkable).
>> TIME
In the winter months, Uruguay time is 3 hours behind GMT.<< |
