VPNs and other tools worth installing before you go, curated for travelers visiting Uruguay.
Emergencia 9-1-1 is the official Ministry of Interior app and is unusually relevant to visitors. The official manual says it is free for citizens and foreigners aged 13 or older who are inside Uruguay, supports Spanish, English and Portuguese, and includes accessibility for blind and deaf users. It can report police, fire, traffic and domestic-violence emergencies with location information. It is a secondary safety tool, not a replacement for calling 911: registration requires personal information and SMS, an alert requires internet access and GPS, location can be imperfect and recent store reviews report registration or interface problems. Install and complete setup before it is needed, but call 911 directly when the app or data connection fails. Save the number, insurer and accommodation contacts offline. Check the Uruguayan Institute of Meteorology and the National Emergency System for severe weather, flooding and fire information, and use the Transport Ministry's map for current road works. Dengue risk exists, so use repellent and follow current itinerary-specific health advice. Medical providers may expect payment or proof of insurance, so carry policy details and know the nearest suitable facility. Keep medication, water, a charged power bank and copies of critical documents accessible during road trips or active weather.
Uruguay's official emergency app for visitors and residents, with geolocated police, fire and traffic reports.
These apps need data
Guac eSIM covers Uruguay with plans from $1.50 per GB. Install it before you land and activate instantly.
Check our utilities section for Uruguay.
There are 1 utilities apps available in Uruguay as of 2026.
Cards, peso cash, open transit payments and dependable local apps
Cash backup, QR payments, cable cars and roadblock-aware travel
Use Uber or 99, expect CPF barriers, and carry backup cards and reais
Use Uber, learn the local transit payment, and prepare for long distances
Use dispatched rides, carry small pesos, and learn each city's transit system
The right apps, plus the official and offline backups Costa Rica still requires
