This is what the U.S. Embassy says about security of Americans in Uruguay.What is the real story?
What are the real dangers?
Where are the safe places?
How much risk is there for expats?
Regular protests, some with an Anti-American flavor, take place outside Congress, City Hall and the “University of the Republic.” U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Uruguay are advised to take common-sense precautions and avoid any large gatherings or any other event where crowds have congregated to demonstrate or protest. If travelers encounter a protest they should walk the other way or enter a commercial establishment until the protest passes. Taking pictures of protesters is not a good idea.
Montevideo is facing a wave of petty street crime that is largely non-violent. T ravelers should exercise reasonable caution to minimize their exposure to crime. Criminals prey on the unaware, particularly those carrying cameras, pocketbooks, laptops, or backpacks. Travelers are advised to lock most valuables in secure hotel safes and to avoid carrying excess credit cards and cash. If dining at an outdoor restaurant, be very careful with pocketbooks or bags. While parts of “Ciudad Vieja” are popular tourist attractions, the only sections of Ciudad Vieja with continual police patrols are Plaza Independencia, the pedestrian street Sarandi, and the Mercado del Puerto. Muggings are common in other parts of Ciudad Vieja - particularly for travelers walking alone, or couples walking at night. A smart alternative is to call for a taxi for evening travel between restaurants, bars, and hotels.
Victims are usually foreign tourists, individuals openly carrying valuable items, and motorists in unlocked vehicles stopped at busy intersections, particularly on Montevideo's riverfront road known as the Rambla. Drivers should keep all car doors locked, the driver's window open only one inch, and purses, bags, briefcases and other valuables out of sight on the floor or in the trunk. Parked cars, particularly in the Carrasco neighborhood, are also increasingly targeted for break-ins. During the summer months (December-March), beach resort areas such as Punta del Este attract tourists, and petty street crimes and residential burglaries--similar to those that occur in Montevideo--rise significantly. Visitors are advised to exercise common sense in the conduct of their activities around Montevideo and in Uruguayan resort areas. They should be very attentive to personal security and their surroundings in the aforementioned areas.
Uruguayan law enforcement authorities have increased the number of uniformed policemen on foot in areas where criminal activity is concentrated and the number of patrol cars in residential areas. The clearly marked patrol cars are equipped with cellular phones and the phone numbers are conspicuously painted on the vehicles.
"The clearly marked patrol cars are equipped with cellular phones and the phone numbers are conspicuously painted on the vehicles."I have never seen that.
"Victims are usually foreign tourists, individuals openly carrying valuable items, and motorists in unlocked vehicles stopped at busy intersections, particularly on Montevideo's riverfront road known as the Rambla."
I live on the Rambla and have never seen or feared such a thing.
"Drivers should keep all car doors locked, the driver's window open only one inch"
I wonder if Bush did that?
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Having traveled and lived in various places of South and Central America, including Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Costa Rica, Panama, Uruguay, Costa Rica is the only place that I ever felt threatened or was ever robbed or harmed.
