Uruguay - Bio-Security
With the continual change in protocols due to the pandemic, we outline the last-known situation below for yacht arrivals. Skippers should follow the recommended links in “resources” to confirm the latest protocols. Always check with your intended port of arrival before getting underway to be 100% certain of what is required. Please e-mail editor@noonsite.com if you find protocols have changed.
COVID-19: **OPEN**
November 2022
- Foreign nationals over 6, who are fully vaccinated, must show a certificate of proof.
- Unvaccinated foreign nationals must show proof of a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior to departure for Uruguay.
- Health insurance is mandatory.
- An online declaration prior to entry is no longer required.
- The Uruguayan Government strongly recommends you download the Coronavirus App and activate blue tooth in order to be contacted using their track and trace approach.
Resources:
- See https://declaracionjurada.ingresoauruguay.gub.uy/for details.
- https://turismo.gub.uy/index.php/en/entry-requirements-and-paperwork
Our thanks to Omar Sanchez for providing Noonsite with regular updates throughout the Pandemic.
History:
- Mid-March 2020 Uruguay tightened its controls at airports and ports and closed its border with Argentina. Cruise ship passengers and crew were prohibited from disembarking in Uruguay and yachts started being turned away.
- On 24 March it was confirmed that no recreational craft were permitted to enter Uruguay.
- In June Uruguay had very few cases of Covid-19 and started to ease restrictions. Recreational craft were able to sail during the day, but had to return to their home port at night.
- The country intended to open to foreigners by 31 March, 2021, however the ban on foreigners continues to be extended as does the closure of maritime borders.
- 1 November the country opened to air tourists and ferries from Argentina.
- Mid-December 2021 pleasure yachts were permitted to enter.
- April 2022 pre-departure testing was removed for vaccinated travelers.
- August 2022 pre-departure declaration removed.
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We have a 40 ft sailingboat. Does anyone know the prices of the marinas in UY. We want to stay there for a longer periode, 1 year. Thank you.
Hello, we have had feedback from a contact of ours in South America and he told us the following:
Piriapolis are medium price, but have the best services for small craft, and the best dry dock and travelift in Uruguay. There are cheaper ports but some of then will not allow boats to remain there without crew on board. You can see the prices of all marines in Uruguay (in Uruguay Pesos) at web: https://rfa.mtop.gub.uy/rfagiaweb/servlet/consultatarifariocliente
Remember, after a 9 month stay yacht owners must pay an aditional tax. Usually in the 8th month boats go to Argentina, cruise around and then go back.
Piriapolis port e-Mail: dnh.piriapolis@mtop.gub.uy
Low season: 1 March to 1 December
High season: 1 December to end of February
Now, Puerto Sauce in Juan Lacaze have excellent structure to do maintenance, new travelift and good mechanics.
https://noonsite.wccstaging.com/Countries/Uruguay?rc=Formalities#ClearanceAgents
Good afternoon. you can help find an agent to process in Montevideo.
And maybe they’ll tell me how to find an agent on my own.
I am now in Martinique and plan a big transition to Uruguay.
The norm that demands the certificate of safety elements “Safety Certificate” is very hard and can complicate the departure from Uruguay. We overcome the problem by presenting the security card of the liferaft.
See: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DdF0UAkWsAAFqbG.jpg
Omar Sanchez, Wetdoc. S/V Smoke, AU.
About: Chris de be Veyrac says: Sailing Rio de la Plata- unmarked hazard.
Seems to be the area West to the Pte Sarmiento shipwreck, which is well marked on the nautical chart, attached panoramic view and below with detail marked in red.
See: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQ8eMFaX4AIwrUq.jpg
Omar Sanchez, Wetdoc
Sailing rio de la plata- unmarked hazard.
We sailed from Piriapolis to BA and back and had been warned of possible unmarked wrecks. Nothing on the way there following the Uruguayan coast to Colonia, however on the way back on the more direct route from Buenos Aires to Piriapolis we saw an unmarked wreck at approximate position s34”39.924’ W57”50.653’.
It appeared to be a sunken barge, with the jig and hoist above the water line. It was dusk, no light was visible, and the wreck was not on the last update I had obtained before departing. A collision would have had a devastating impact, fortunately with so much exposed above water line the radar echo was very strong.
Try to sail during light hours, particularly on the Argentinian side and use your radar! Chris, S/Y HaiYou
Getting a Permit to Malvinas/Falklands – from Omar Sanchez:
The bureaucracy in Argentina has unfortunately increased and now it takes about 40-45 days to get the permit to go to Malvinas/Falklands.
That is why this year some foreign sailors have preferred to return to Punta del Este in Uruguay and to make the dispatch to the Malvinas from there, without touching Argentine ports to Malvinas.
This does not invalidate the rule that establishes the daily position report in Argentine waters.
Piriápolis: Works on the port are in the completion stage, the majority of marine have been enabled, with 100 new moorings.
The dry dock, and the travelift are are operational.
You should always inform Prefectura (Coast Guard) by VHF channel 16 at least 30 minutes before arrival.
The immigration office is located 50 meters from the port, and operates Monday to Saturday from 12: 30h to 16: 30h. The service is fee-based and paid in Uruguayan pesos,
Omar Sanchez, Wetdoc, from Buenos Aires.