U.S. Embassy Montevideo, Uruguay
Message to U.S. Citizens: Summer Safety
December 21, 2018
The summer season in Montevideo and other popular destinations in Uruguay typically coincides with an increase in the volume of crimes against persons and property. During the 2018 calendar year, there has been an increase in crime, including homicides, armed robberies, theft, and carjackings reported in Uruguay. As such, we would like to remind U.S. citizens of some security best practices.
Residential Security
- Always use your locks. Remember to lock your windows and doors routinely.
- Turn on all exterior lights at night. Proper lighting can deter burglars who exploit the cover of darkness to aid them in their crime.
- Store high-value personal belongings away from public view.
- Avoid on-street parking. If unavoidable, park in well-lit areas that are in public view.
- Identify visitors prior to opening gates or doors.
- Avoid discussing periods of non-occupancy with household staff, or other contractors.
Personal Security
- Maintain situational awareness, especially at large public gatherings such as shopping centers, street fairs and other tourist destinations. Be observant of the people and vehicles around you. If something does not look right, leave the area.
- Avoid situations in which you are alone. Travel in groups and stick to heavily-trafficked locations.
- Keep the number of valuables on your person to a minimum (money, credit cards, cellular phones, jewelry, etc.) and limit your display of those valuables in public. Do not leave personal belongings unattended.
- Do not resist or intervene in an armed robbery.
- Identify and report suspicious people, vehicles, or activities. If something does not look right, notify local police.
- Be especially cognizant of your surroundings when entering or exiting your vehicle.
- Do not use ATMs during times of darkness.
- Use caution at stoplights and parking lots and while waiting for public transportation as criminals take advantage of opportunistic moments to commit crimes.
- Always park in designated well-lit parking spots and lock your vehicle when you leave.
If you are a victim of a crime, the U.S. Embassy encourages you to report the incident to local authorities.
U.S. citizens may also contact MontevideoACS@state.gov.
For further information:
- See the State Department’s travel website for safety and security information and Country Specific Information for Uruguay for general information.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier for the embassy to locate you in an emergency.
- Contact the U.S. Embassy in Uruguay, located at Lauro Müller 1776, Montevideo, Uruguay, at (+598) 1770-2000 (available 24/7).
- Call 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States or Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
- Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
