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Uruguay - Clearance

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COVID-19: Entry protocols for yachts have been affected by the pandemic. See the Biosecurity section for details.

Pre-Arrival:

Before entering any port, call the “Control Maritimo” on VHF Channel 16 (try 9 or 11 if no reply). There may be a delay if an English-speaking operator seems to be required.

You should then state your position and destination.

If, while at sea, you want to change your destination, you must update the Prefectura over the radio.

This must be done not only when the destination is changed. You must also notify the Prefectura when you pass through each port.  Also, notify them if there is a significant delay in the ETA.

Clearance Process:

On entering the port, first, visit the Coast Guard office (Prefectura Naval). They may deal with all the entry requirements, or they may send you to the Customs and Immigration offices.

Formalities are important in Uruguay and many copies of the necessary documents will be useful, including a “Safety Certificate”. The fact that many countries do not issue such a document is not easily understood. A little forward planning might help with this. See related user comments as to how others have handled this requirement.

Clearing-Out:

On departure, a letter from the Hidrografia office confirming that all fees have been paid will be required. Be sure to ask for a formal Zarpe on exit as cruisers entering Panama from Uruguay have been fined for not having the proper papers.

See this Cruiser’s report for useful details.

Last updated:  April 2018

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Uruguay was last updated 2 years ago.

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  1. April 28, 2022 at 8:04 PM
    ukelily says:

    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.

    1. June 3, 2022 at 6:05 PM
      profile photo
      sue-richards says:

      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

  2. February 1, 2021 at 4:49 PM
    bigua says:

    Now, Puerto Sauce in Juan Lacaze have excellent structure to do maintenance, new travelift and good mechanics.

  3. April 11, 2019 at 9:28 PM
    Lynda Lim says:
  4. April 11, 2019 at 2:12 PM
    Lynda Lim says:

    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.

  5. May 13, 2018 at 4:41 PM
    Data Entry says:

    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.

  6. December 13, 2017 at 5:58 PM
    Data Entry says:

    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

  7. November 4, 2017 at 9:09 PM
    Data Entry says:

    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

  8. December 20, 2016 at 4:20 PM
    Data Entry says:

    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.

  9. January 30, 2016 at 7:29 PM
    Data Entry says:

    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.