Taxis & Rideshare in Uruguay (2026) - Grab, Uber & More
Need reliable rides in Uruguay? Compare taxi and rideshare options for stress-free travel to beaches, cities, and beyond, safety tips and local insights.
Safety Tips
In Montevideo, licensed taxis carry distinctive black-and-yellow livery, a visible taxi logo, and the driver's identification card, if a vehicle lacks any of these, it is unlicensed. Decline and find another cab at a designated taxi stand or have your hotel call a radio-dispatched one.
Taxi meters (taxímetros) are legally mandated in Montevideo and annually inspected by the municipal government, so insist the driver resets and starts the meter before you move, this is standard local practice, not a tourist demand, and any driver who refuses is violating city regulations.
Uber and Cabify both operate in Uruguay. But their coverage is essentially limited to Montevideo and Punta del Este. Outside those two cities, rideshare drops to zero and you will need radio taxis booked by phone or arranged through your accommodation.
For solo or nighttime travel, rideshare apps offer a meaningful safety advantage over street hails because the driver's identity, license plate, and route are logged in-app, a feature that matters more in Uruguay's smaller cities and resort towns where street-hailed cabs may be informal or unmarked.
Common Scams to Avoid
Meter not running: In Montevideo, taxis are required by law to use meters. But some drivers may claim the meter is broken or simply not activate it, then quote an inflated flat fare at the end of the trip. Always confirm the meter is running when you get in, and if a driver insists it is broken, consider exiting and taking another cab.
Long-routing from the airport: Drivers picking up arriving visitors at Carrasco International Airport may take unnecessarily indirect routes into central Montevideo, padding the metered fare. This is a common tactic in many cities worldwide, not unique to Uruguay. Familiarizing yourself with the general route or using a GPS-enabled map app on your phone typically discourages it.
Unofficial or unlicensed taxis: Particularly in tourist-heavy areas like Punta del Este during peak season, unlicensed vehicles may solicit rides without regulated meters or insurance. Licensed Montevideo taxis are identifiable by their official markings and roof light. Using a remise service or a ride-hailing app where the fare is calculated in advance can help avoid unregulated vehicles entirely.