Money in Uruguay
Uruguay uses the Uruguayan peso. Here is how to pay there, whether to tip, and what common amounts are worth.
- Currency
- UYUUruguayan peso
- Symbol
- $
- Tipping
- Appreciated
Paying in Uruguay
Cards are widely accepted in cities. Carry cash for small towns and beach stands.
- Cards
- Widely accepted
- Cash
- Older pages (2019 or earlier) advise carrying cash for small businesses, markets and rural areas, and say some card-accepting businesses add a surcharge. No 2026 source opened confirms this.
- ATMs
- ATMs are available in larger towns and may charge fees (Journey Latin America, 2026). Withdraw cash before heading to smaller rural communities, where machines are scarce (World Travel Guide, 2019).
- Foreign currency
- Journey Latin America advises bringing some US dollars, which are easier to exchange than sterling or euros, and says dollars may be accepted if you have no pesos.
- Watch out for
- Foreign visitors paying by card may get an automatic partial VAT rebate on restaurant meals and car rental, so check your card statement (Journey Latin America, Uruguay tourism board). Bills must be in good condition, since soiled or torn notes may be refused.
Tipping in Uruguay
Around 10% in restaurants is usual, since it is not always added to the bill.
Appreciated: Tipping isn't required, but a tip or rounding up is welcome.
Sources checked: Journey Latin America, World Travel Guide, Go Backpacking, Rocha Tourism (Uruguay), RipioTurismo, Jacada Travel.
Convert to and from UYU
Quick reference
| Amount | USD | EUR | GBP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40.19 UYU | 45.03 UYU | 53.93 UYU |
| 10 | 402 UYU | 450 UYU | 539 UYU |
| 50 | 2,010 UYU | 2,251 UYU | 2,697 UYU |
| 100 | 4,019 UYU | 4,503 UYU | 5,393 UYU |
| 500 | 20,095 UYU | 22,513 UYU | 26,965 UYU |
What each amount is worth in UYU. Mid-market rates from 2 November 2026, 17:00 UTC.
Common questions
What currency does Uruguay use?
Uruguay uses the Uruguayan peso (UYU).
Do you need to tip in Uruguay?
Appreciated. Around 10% in restaurants is usual, since it is not always added to the bill.
Can you pay by card in Uruguay?
Widely accepted. Older pages (2019 or earlier) advise carrying cash for small businesses, markets and rural areas, and say some card-accepting businesses add a surcharge. No 2026 source opened confirms this.
Are there ATMs in Uruguay?
ATMs are available in larger towns and may charge fees (Journey Latin America, 2026). Withdraw cash before heading to smaller rural communities, where machines are scarce (World Travel Guide, 2019).