South America·Uruguay·Updated May 3, 2026

Montevideo Scams to Avoid in 2026 (Uruguay)

Montevideo is one of South America's most livable and relaxed capitals, but tourists still face pickpocketing in markets, fake police, counterfeit bills in change, and airport taxi overcharging.

Risk Index

5.8

out of 10

Scams

16

documented

High Severity

1

6% of total

5.8

Risk Index

16

Scams

1

High Risk

Montevideo has 16 documented tourist scams across 8 categories in our database. Scam activity is rated moderate. The most commonly reported risks are Fake Police Identity Check in Ciudad Vieja, Fake Vacation Rental with Photos, Currency Exchange Shortchanging on Avenida 18 de Julio.

Editorially reviewed — sources cross-referenced before publishing. How we verify →

Traveler Context

What Travellers Should Know About Scams in Montevideo

Montevideo has 16 documented tourist-targeted scams in our database, concentrated around street scams (5 reports). The most consistently reported individual pattern is Fake Police Identity Check in Ciudad Vieja — In the Ciudad Vieja historic district, individuals dressed in plain clothes or partial uniform claim to be plainclothes police conducting a routine document check. Travellers familiar with Valparaíso or Mendoza will recognise the broad shape of the risk environment in South America, though the specific local variations in Montevideo are what catch first-time visitors out.

Specific documented risk areas include Around Calle Sarandí and Calle Ituzaingó in Ciudad Vieja, near the Mercado del Puerto entrance on Rambla 25 de Agosto, and along Calle 25 de Mayo near the Palacio Taranco.; Pocitos beach area, Carrasco neighborhood, Punta Gorda waterfront listings, properties advertised on Airbnb and Vrbo; Along Avenida 18 de Julio between Plaza Independencia and Plaza Cagancha, and around the Tres Cruces bus terminal on Bulevar Artigas where informal changers congregate near arriving travellers.. A separate but related pattern is Fake Vacation Rental with Photos: Scammers post luxury apartments and beachfront chalets on Airbnb, Vrbo, and local rental sites with stunning photos stolen from real listings. The single most effective protection across these patterns: Ask any person claiming to be a police officer to show their official credential (carnet policial) and badge number. If unsure, say you will walk together to the nearest police station on Calle Sarandí. Never hand your wallet or cards to anyone on the street for inspection.

How It Plays OutHigh Risk

Fake Police Identity Check in Ciudad Vieja

In the Ciudad Vieja historic district, individuals dressed in plain clothes or partial uniform claim to be plainclothes police conducting a routine document check. They ask to inspect your wallet for counterfeit bills, then pocket cash or credit cards during the inspection. A variant involves two people — one distracts while the other handles documents and removes valuables. Uruguayan police do not conduct random street document checks of tourists in this manner.

Around Calle Sarandí and Calle Ituzaingó in Ciudad Vieja, near the Mercado del Puerto entrance on Rambla 25 de Agosto, and along Calle 25 de Mayo near the Palacio Taranco.

How to avoid: Ask any person claiming to be a police officer to show their official credential (carnet policial) and badge number. If unsure, say you will walk together to the nearest police station on Calle Sarandí. Never hand your wallet or cards to anyone on the street for inspection.

This scam type is also documented in Valparaíso and Mendoza.

Key Risk Areas

Where These Scams Are Most Active

Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents in Montevideo.

Fake Police Identity Check in Ciudad Vieja

Street Scams

Around Calle Sarandí and Calle Ituzaingó in Ciudad Vieja, near the Mercado del Puerto entrance on Rambla 25 de Agosto, and along Calle 25 de Mayo near the Palacio Taranco.

Fake Vacation Rental with Photos

Accommodation Scams

Pocitos beach area, Carrasco neighborhood, Punta Gorda waterfront listings, properties advertised on Airbnb and Vrbo

Currency Exchange Shortchanging on Avenida 18 de Julio

Money & ATM Scams

Along Avenida 18 de Julio between Plaza Independencia and Plaza Cagancha, and around the Tres Cruces bus terminal on Bulevar Artigas where informal changers congregate near arriving travellers.

Pickpocketing in Markets and Buses

Street Scams

Mercado Agrícola de Montevideo in the Buceo neighborhood, the Ciudad Vieja historical district along Calle Sarandí, and crowded bus routes through the city center

Airport Taxi Overcharging

Taxi & Transport

Carrasco International Airport taxi ranks in eastern Montevideo, and the road corridor leading into the Pocitos, Centro, and Ciudad Vieja neighborhoods

Fake Police Fines

Street Scams

Tourist areas of Ciudad Vieja including Plaza Independencia and Calle Sarandí, and near the Mercado del Puerto in Montevideo

These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.

Street-level scams are most common in Montevideo

5 documented street scams target tourists near major attractions. Unsolicited approaches, "free" gifts, and distraction techniques are the main patterns.

Safety Checklist

Quick Safety Tips for Montevideo

Key precautions based on the most frequently reported scams here.

  • Ask any person claiming to be a police officer to show their official credential (carnet policial) and badge number. If unsure, say you will walk together to the nearest police station on Calle Sarandí. Never hand your wallet or cards to anyone on the street for inspection.
  • Book through verified platforms only and verify properties by calling the landlord directly. Request video tours before paying. Check Google Street View to confirm the address exists. Use escrow payment options offered by legitimate platforms.
  • Use only official casas de cambio with signage and receipts, or withdraw Uruguayan pesos from a Banred or Redbanc ATM inside a bank. Count your bills yourself at the counter before walking away, and never exchange money with individuals approaching you on the street.
  • Keep bags zipped and worn in front. Be alert to any unexpected physical contact from strangers.
  • Pre-book a transfer through your hotel or use the Uber app. Confirm the price before getting in.

FAQ

Montevideo Safety — Frequently Asked Questions

What scams target tourists in Montevideo?
The most frequently reported tourist scams in Montevideo are Fake Police Identity Check in Ciudad Vieja, Fake Vacation Rental with Photos, Currency Exchange Shortchanging on Avenida 18 de Julio, with 1 classified as high severity. Most scams operate near transit hubs, tourist attractions, and busy markets. Reviewing each type before you arrive significantly reduces your risk of being targeted. Similar patterns are also documented in Valparaíso and Mendoza.
Are taxis safe in Montevideo?
Taxis in Montevideo carry documented risk for tourists — 2 transport-related scams are on record. Pre-book a transfer through your hotel or use the Uber app. Confirm the price before getting in. Where available, verified ride-hailing apps (Uber, Grab, or local equivalents) are generally safer than street taxis.
Is Montevideo safe at night for tourists?
Montevideo is one of South America's most livable and relaxed capitals, but tourists still face pickpocketing in markets, fake police, counterfeit bills in change, and airport taxi overcharging. 1 of the 16 documented scams here are rated high severity. After dark, extra caution is advised near Around Calle Sarandí and Calle Ituzaingó in Ciudad Vieja, near the Mercado del Puerto entrance on Rambla 25 de Agosto, and along Calle 25 de Mayo near the Palacio Taranco.. Use app-based transport at night and avoid unsolicited approaches from strangers.
Which areas of Montevideo should tourists be most careful in?
Documented scam activity in Montevideo is concentrated in high-traffic tourist zones. Based on reported incidents: Around Calle Sarandí and Calle Ituzaingó in Ciudad Vieja, near the Mercado del Puerto entrance on Rambla 25 de Agosto, and along Calle 25 de Mayo near the Palacio Taranco. (Fake Police Identity Check in Ciudad Vieja); Pocitos beach area, Carrasco neighborhood, Punta Gorda waterfront listings, properties advertised on Airbnb and Vrbo (Fake Vacation Rental with Photos); Along Avenida 18 de Julio between Plaza Independencia and Plaza Cagancha, and around the Tres Cruces bus terminal on Bulevar Artigas where informal changers congregate near arriving travellers. (Currency Exchange Shortchanging on Avenida 18 de Julio). These areas are safe to visit — knowing the common setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
How can I avoid being scammed in Montevideo?
The best protection against scams in Montevideo is preparation — knowing the specific tactics used here before you arrive. Key precautions: Pre-book a transfer through your hotel or use the Uber app. Confirm the price before getting in. Always confirm prices before agreeing to any service, use official or app-based transport, and slow down if anyone creates urgency or distraction — that is almost always the setup.

Montevideo · Uruguay · South America

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Editorial note: Scam warnings for Montevideo are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →