Major city · Uruguay
Chuy
Go only as a border crossing or a 1-night stop: cross to Chuí for cheap shopping, see Fortín de San Miguel, then move on.
Chuy sits on the Uruguay–Brazil border, and its main street, Avenida Brasil, is the line itself: one side speaks Spanish and pays in pesos, the other speaks Portuguese and pays in reais. There is little sightseeing, but the duty-free shops, the casino and the Spanish fort 7 km west make it a practical one-night stop between Rocha's beaches and southern Brazil. Most travellers pass through in a few hours.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- UYU
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid Jun–Aug (cool, wet, quiet)
- Airports
- PDP · MVD
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Uruguay ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Uruguay's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or a Uruguayan consulate; ferry passengers from Buenos Aires clear both countries' immigration at the terminal.
- Uruguay ↗Buenos Aires–Colonia and Buenos Aires–Montevideo ferries sell out on long weekends and in summer: book ahead.
- Uruguay ↗Pay restaurants, hotels and car hire with a foreign-issued card: non-residents get the 22% VAT (IVA) removed on restaurants and car hire roughly 15 November – 30 April, and on lodging — check the current season's rules.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Chuy911 ▾
- Police, ambulance, fire911
- Police (Comisaría Seccional 5ª)+598 4474 2042
- Firefighters (Destacamento de Chuy)+598 4474 2226
- Hospital of Chuy+598 4474 2429
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Chuy, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Uruguayan peso (UYU, $).Uruguay-wide
- SIM or eSIMAntel (state), Movistar and Claro; prepaid SIM with passport at shops, or an eSIM before you fly.Uruguay-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable throughout.Uruguay-wide
- TippingRestaurant: About 10%.Uruguay-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F/I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Uruguay-wide
- SafetyChuy is a small, generally safe border town; the real issues are cross-border paperwork, summer heat and late-night drinking on Avenida Brasil.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsClean in cafés, bus terminals and shopping centres.Uruguay-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, ambulance, fire · +598 4474 2042 police (comisaría seccional 5ª) · +598 4474 2226 Firefighters (Destacamento de Chuy)
- Sundays & holidaysSemana de Turismo closes offices for a week; many coastal businesses close in winter.Uruguay-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckPDP Punta del Este (Laguna del Sauce) (About 3 h by road; seasonal flights, check schedules).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable in 15 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$U80–150
- Street or quick mealChivito or steak sandwich$U350–600
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a shop$U150–250$U80–140
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxicheck$U400–600
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$U500–1,200
- Budget bedHostel bed, a night, per personUYU 900
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomUYU 3,800
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomUYU 7,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget UYU 1,800 · Mid UYU 3,500 · High UYU 7,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PDP Punta del Este (Laguna del Sauce) (About 3 h by road; seasonal flights, check schedules) · MVD Montevideo (Carrasco) (About 4.5–5 h by road or bus)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Feb
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jul
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Aug
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Sep
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jun (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low), wettest Feb (9 rain days), driest Apr (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chuy: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Jun
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Jul
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Aug
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable in 15 minutes. Taxis wait near Plaza Artigas; Radio Taxi Chuy is the local firm. For Fortín de San Miguel, 7 km west on Ruta 19, take a taxi or drive — buses are infrequent.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Fortín de San Miguel
goDoor to door: About 30 min each way
Taxi or car 7 km (4.3 mi) west on Ruta 19; infrequent busesTaxi or car 4.3 mi (7 km) west on Ruta 19; infrequent buses
Old Spanish fortress; go in daylight and check opening hours locally.
Punta del Diablo
goDoor to door: Under 1 h
Bus or car west along the coast
Nearest beach town; surf and relaxed village.
Chuí, Brazil
goDoor to door: 2 min
Walk across Avenida Brasil
Same town, other country: Portuguese, reais and more free shops.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Avenida Brasil / centre
Hotels, free shops and the casino within a few blocks; best for a one-night border stop.
Ruta 9 / town edge
Quieter motels and the road out to Fortín de San Miguel; you need a car or taxi.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $U1,500–2,500 excl. bed
- Mid
- $U2,500–4,500 excl. bed
- High
- $U4,500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × UYU 3,800 | UYU 3,800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × UYU 3,500 | UYU 7,000 |
| Taxi to Fortín de San Miguel, both ways1 × UYU 1,200 · check | UYU 1,200 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × UYU 700 | UYU 1,400 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | UYU 1,340 |
| Trip total≈ UYU 7,370 per person per day, bed included | UYU 14,740 |
2026 estimate in Uruguayan pesos; long-distance buses excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $U80–150 |
| Chivito or steak sandwich | $U350–600 |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a shop | $U150–250 / $U80–140 |
| 5 km taxicheck | $U400–600 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $U500–1,200 |
| Free-shop electronics and perfume | US$ prices, check the rate |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- If you continue past Chuí into Brazil, stamp your passport at Uruguayan exit control before entering town, and at Brazilian control when leaving Chuí; ask the bus driver to stop.
- The border street is open and you can walk back and forth freely, but keep your passport and entry stamp with you.
- Free-shop prices are in US dollars and pesos; check the exchange rate before buying.
- Summer (Dec–Feb) is hot and busy; winter is quiet with some seasonal businesses closed.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance, fire
- 911
- Police (Comisaría Seccional 5ª)
- +598 4474 2042
- Firefighters (Destacamento de Chuy)
- +598 4474 2226
- Hospital of Chuy
- +598 4474 2429
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ChuyChuy
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire911
- Police (Comisaría Seccional 5ª)+598 4474 2042
- Hospital of Chuy+598 4474 2429
Embassy
Brazil has a consulate in Chuy (A. Fossati); most other countries: embassies in Montevideo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi in town: $U300–600 (check)
- Taxi Chuy → Fortín de San Miguel: about $U600 each way (check)
- Bus Chuy → Punta del Diablo: about $U200–300, under 1 h (check)
Say or show
- Perdón — Excuse me / Sorry (per-DON)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRA-syas)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-to KWES-ta)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWE-do pa-GAR kon tar-HE-ta)
- ¿Dónde está la frontera? — Where is the border? (DON-de es-TA la fron-TE-ra)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the toilet? (DON-de es-TA el BA-nyo)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Chuy. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr · avoid Jun–Aug (cool, wet, quiet) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PDP and MVD: last bus times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Two walking clusters with rescue anchors: Avenida Brasil and Plaza Artigas, Ruta 9 and the fort road.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Fortín de San Miguel, Casinos del Estado, free shops) and eat pages with last orders.
- Border-crossing fixture so the Brazil exit/entry stamps are explained before arrival.