Wondering if I need cash for taxis in Uruguay or if I can just pay with card or app like in other countries?
I tried booking taxis using Cabify and Uber alternatives in Montevideo - didn’t work reliably. Most people just flag down street taxis and pay cash. Even upscale neighborhoods like Pocitos or Punta Carretas don’t have app-based fleets like other Latin American cities. One airport driver let me pay with a U.S. $20 bill, but gave me change in pesos at a sketchy rate. If you don’t want awkward haggling or risk rejection, carry local cash for all taxi rides.
Living in Uruguay has taught me to carry cash every time I step into a taxi. Even in central Montevideo or Punta del Este, 90% of cabs don’t accept card. That said, the local app “Voy” works decently and links to Uruguayan bank accounts, but it won’t help tourists without local cards. If you're asking, “Can I pay taxis in Uruguay with card?” - the short answer is no, unless prearranged through a hotel.
Needed a late-night ride from Tres Cruces terminal and couldn’t find any driver who accepted card. One guy claimed his reader was “out of battery.” I’ve learned most taxi drivers don’t even bother with POS terminals - some due to cost, some due to lack of demand. Always keep UYU 200-500 in small bills if you’re moving around by cab. You can’t rely on cards for everyday taxis in Uruguay - it’s still very cash-driven.
I took taxis around Montevideo in April and all of them required cash. No card readers, no QR codes, nothing. Even when I asked in Spanish if they took tarjeta, the drivers either said no or pointed at a tiny “efectivo solo” sign. A few friends recommended Uber, but it's technically not legal in Uruguay, and not all drivers use it. So yes - bring cash, especially for shorter rides or after dark.