Surfing in Uruguay
Uruguay is a small South American country known for its beautiful coastline and green lush countryside. Punta del Este is the most popular surfing area in the country. The city is very charming with casinos and nightclubs lining the streets creating a vibrant and exciting nightlife. There are many surf spots dotted along the short but stunning coast of Uruguay and the best time to surf is from September to November, and from March to May. Uruguay may not be on every surfers bucket list but is an amazing place to be visited. Besides surfing the country is known for having a vast wine industry, amazing meat and fish dishes and a mellow and friendly population. The country is clean and safe and if you are traveling around south america Uruguay should definitely be on your list of countries to be visited.
Climate in Uruguay
Uruguay has a humid subtropical climate but shows lots of differences from one season to another. The country has a warm summer with average temperatures around 25°C and a cold winter with average temperatures around 7°C. During summer the weather is usually pleasant and perfect to be outdoors with a nice afternoon breeze cooling down the temperature after a warm day. Winter can be very cold but still a nice time to visit the country. This is the most consistent time of the year for surfers since there is plenty of activity on the South Atlantic Ocean. The water temperature can be cold throughout the whole year so a 3/2 wetsuit in summer and a 4/3 wetsuit in winter is required to surf in Uruguay.
Best surf spots in Uruguay
Uruguay has 660 km of coastline with lots of surf breaks scattered along the inlets, river mouths and beaches of the country. These are the most popular surf spots in Uruguay: Punta del Este, La Pedera, La Paloma, Punta del Diablo, El Palenque, Los Palmares, Playa Brisas and San Bernardo de Rocha.
Budget Planning
Meal price range
Simple meals start at $10 USD. Mid-range meals start at $18 USD. Dining & drinking at high-end restaurants can cost anywhere from $50-80 USD
Equipment rental
There is one or two places where you can rent. But it might be best if you bring your own gear.
Prepaid SIM cards
Antel is a good choice. SIM cards can be purchased from Montevideo International Airport, Antel shops, or from authorized dealers.
Prepaid packages start at $4 USD
Public transport
Bus travel is cheap, convenient, and comfortable, as well as the best way to get between cities in Uruguay.
Taxis are fine for quick trips around town but should be avoided for longer travel as they get very pricey.
Uber and similar ride-sharing services are also widely used in Montevideo. City bus service is excellent in Montevideo and other urban areas, while micros (minibuses) are used as the local transit network in smaller coastal towns such as La Paloma.
Gas prices
$1.25 USD a liter.
Types of risks
The water is cold. Sometimes muddy water.
How to prepare
Visa
Citizens from 85 countries, including the EU, US, and Australia, can enter Uruguay without a visa for up to 90 days.
Vaccines
Although it's not mandatory, it’s recommended that you have been vaccinated for hepatitis A & B, typhoid, rabies, meningitis, polio, Tdap, chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, influenza, measles, mumps and rubella.
Things to know
Language & Currency
Spanish is the official language. English isn’t widely spoken, so learning a little Spanish is a necessity in Uruguay.
Uruguayan peso (UR$) is the currency.
Best time to go
The best time to surf is from September to November, and from March to May.
Checking Surf forecast
Checking the forecast about a week before your trip is always a good idea. Understanding what the waves will be like and knowing what gear to pack is essential. You can check the forecast for the waves here.
Do I need pack a pharmacy kit
You should bring a basic kit. Including ear drops, eye drops, bandaids, ear plugs, gaze, alcohol, mosquito repellent and broad spectrum antibiotic ointment.
Travel/Surf Insurance
World Nomads has great travel insurance packages that are not super expensive and they cover surfing.
Emergency
911 for emergencies.
Check surf pictures of Uruguay at #surfinguruguay.
