ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Knowledge of Spanish is useful, but most business people also speak English. Appointments are customary and punctuality is expected. Business cards should have a Spanish translation on the back. Business is idle during the carnival season.
Business hours: Mon-Fri 8.30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2.30 p.m.-6.30 p.m. / 7 p.m.
Authorities: Mon-Fri 12 noon-7 p.m. (mid-March to mid-November), Mon-Fri 7.30 a.m.-1.30 p.m. (mid-November to mid-March).
Economy
Trade Department of the Embassy of the Republic of Uruguay
Budapester Straße 39, D-10787 Berlin
Tel: (030) 263 90 16.
German-Uruguayan Chamber of Commerce
Pza. Independencia 831, Edificio Plaza Mayor, CP 11100, UY-Montevideo
Tel: (02) 901 05 75.
Internet: www.ahk-uruguay.com/german
Commercial Department of the Embassy of the Republic of Uruguay
Wallnerstrasse 4 / III, 17, A-1010 Vienna
Tel: (01) 535 66 36.
Latin American Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland
c / o DPS Communications, Gessnerallee 28, CH-8001 Zurich
Tel: (044) 699 54 47.
Internet: www.latcam.ch
Cámara Nacional de Comercio (Chamber of Commerce)
Edificio de la Bolsa de Comercio, Rincón 454, Piso 2, CP 11000 Montevideo
Tel: (02) 916 12 77.
Internet: www.cncs.com.uy
Business contacts
Trade Department of the Embassy of the Republic of Uruguay
Budapester Straße 39, D-10787 Berlin
Tel: (030) 263 90 16.
German-Uruguayan Chamber of Commerce
Pza. Independencia 831, Edificio Plaza Mayor, CP 11100, UY-Montevideo
Tel: (02) 901 05 75.
Internet: www.ahk-uruguay.com/german
Commercial Department of the Embassy of the Republic of Uruguay
Wallnerstrasse 4 / III, 17, A-1010 Vienna
Tel: (01) 535 66 36.
Latin American Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland
c / o DPS Communications, Gessnerallee 28, CH-8001 Zurich
Tel: (044) 699 54 47.
Internet: www.latcam.ch
Cámara Nacional de Comercio (Chamber of Commerce)
Edificio de la Bolsa de Comercio, Rincón 454, Piso 2, CP 11000 Montevideo
Tel: (02) 916 12 77.
Internet: www.cncs.com.uy
COMMUNICATION
Phone
International direct dialing. The state telephone network is fast and good.
Phone
International direct dialing. The state telephone network is fast and good.
Cellphone
AMPS cellular network operated by Antel.
CDMA network operated by Movicom Bellsouth (www.movicom.com.uy).
Internet
Main providers include Movinet (Internet: www.movinet.com.uy) and Uruguay Net (Internet: www.uruguaynet.com.uy). E-mail access is available from internet cafés in larger urban areas.
Post Office
Airmail to Europe is 3-5 days on the way. Post office opening times: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Main Post Office in Old Town Montevideo: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.).
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
According to youremailverifier, Uruguayans like to go out in the evenings, especially on the weekends. The nightlife generally starts quite late, but people often party until sunrise. Montevideo has the most diverse nightlife to offer. In the Ciudad Vieja (old town) there are various discos and bars, as well as in some suburbs along the coast, e.g. in Pocitos and Carrasco. Numerous night clubs are open in Punta del Este during the summer months.
From March to January, you can enjoy theater and ballet performances or attend concerts by the symphony orchestra in Montevideo. The most popular venues for live events include the Teatro Solís and Sala Zitarrosa.
Tango is as popular in Uruguay as it is in Argentina, and there are often dance performances. Those who want to shake off the dance floor go to one of the many tango clubs. The most famous clubs include La Casa de Becho or Cuareim. The folkloric candombe, which was added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009, can often be seen in colorful shows. On Saturday afternoons, candombe groups usually roam the streets of Montevideo collecting donations.
The larger hotels in the capital have very good bars and a few restaurants. When dance music is played in a bar, the prices for the drinks are usually significantly higher.
CULINARY
Regional specialities
- Asado(grilled beef).
- Asado de Tira(ribs).
- Pulp(boneless beef).
- Lomo(fillet steak).
- Bife de Chorrizo(rump steak).
- Costillas(schnitzel) or milanesa (veal chop) with french fries or a mixed salad as a side dish.
- Chivito(sandwich with meat, salad and egg).
- Morcilla dulce(sweet black pudding with orange peel and walnuts) and Morcilla salada (salty sausage).
- Chajá(cake with cream and jam).
Tip
10% is usual, unless a service fee is already included in the invoice. Taxi drivers also expect a tip.
Regional drinks
The quality of the local wine is different (Medio-Medio, red and white wine). The beer is very good. Imported spirits are widely available. Local spirits like caña, grappa, gin, and whiskey are excellent. Other popular drinks are Clericó (wine mixed with fruit juice) and Medio y medio (dry white wine with sparkling wine). Locals like to drink yerba mate, a bitter tea that was also drunk by the Native Americans.
Minimum age for consuming alcoholic beverages
In Uruguay you can drink alcohol from the age of 18.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
There are top hotels in Montevideo and the resorts. Advance booking recommended in summer and during Carnival (Montevideo). The capital also offers numerous inexpensive hotels. Details from the Hotel and Restaurant Association: Asociación de Hoteles y Restaurantes.
Categories: Hotels can be divided into three groups according to price and standard. During the holiday season, prices are higher, with numerous beach hotels only offering full board. VAT (23%) is charged in Montevideo.
Camping
Campsites across the country are available. You can only camp on other properties with permission from the police.
Other accommodation options
There are several inexpensive youth hostels (more information: www.hosteluruguay.org).