Is It Safe to Travel to Uruguay in 2026?
Uruguay - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
Uruguay, officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, is a country in South America. It shares borders with Argentina to its west and southwest and Brazil to its north and northeast, while bordering the Río de la Plata to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast.
Is It Safe to Travel to Uruguay in 2026?
Uruguay is currently rated Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution by the U.S. Department of State. Exercise increased caution in Uruguay due to crime, particularly in Montevideo, Canelones, Maldonado, and Rivera. Violent crimes such as homicides, armed robberies, and thefts occur throughout the country and have affected U.S. citizens.
Key concerns cited in the advisory:
- crime
The overall security situation has been worsening recently. Contributing factors: Crime is most common in urban areas and can occur at any time., Violent crimes, such as homicides, armed robberies, and thefts occur throughout the country., Criminals commonly travel in pairs on motorcycles to approach unsuspecting victims..
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers face significant risks of street crime, particularly in urban areas like Montevideo, where armed robberies and thefts are prevalent.
Business travelers may encounter operational disruptions due to crime, particularly in urban centers, but can generally rely on hotel security and transportation services.
Families with children may face challenges related to healthcare access and safety in urban areas, necessitating vigilance in public spaces.
Remote workers can find suitable environments in urban areas with good connectivity, though they should remain cautious about their surroundings.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for Uruguay.
Regional Safety Breakdown
▶Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution4 regions
▶Canelones
High incidence of crime, including violent crimes.
▶Maldonado
High incidence of crime, including violent crimes.
▶Montevideo
High incidence of crime, including violent crimes.
▶Rivera
High incidence of crime, including violent crimes.
Uruguay has 4 distinct regions with varying advisory levels. Risk conditions differ significantly by area.
▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
Uruguay has an overall threat severity of 3.0 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 6.0/10, terrorism risk 0.0/10, and kidnapping risk 0.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Free — scored 96/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Not required for U.S. citizens
Currency
Uruguayan Peso (UYU)
Language
Spanish
Notable restrictions:
- drug possession illegal including medical marijuana
- e-cigarettes prohibited
Vaccinations
Recommended:
Active health notices:
- watchGlobal Measles: Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to Uruguay
▶What is the current travel advisory level for Uruguay?
▶Is it safe to travel to Uruguay right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit Uruguay?
▶What vaccines do I need for Uruguay?
▶Is Uruguay safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in Uruguay?
More Uruguay Data
Free — 96/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.