Is a car essential to live in Uruguay? Is it going to be a problem to depend on buses? Is it possible to afford a taxi? What's most convenient?

Okay, let's start: You already have a car in your country and you want to bring it?

It can be possible under the Investor Visa, otherwise you will have to import it and the tax you pay will probably double the car value. So what's best?

Best option can be:

A) Buy a new car in Uruguay

B) Rely on local transportation

You will not be lost with the latter. In Uruguay you find transport easily for almost everywhere.

Buses within Montevideo cost USD 0.62 a ticket. Within the city transportation is available from and to almost everywhere. Find more at Riding Buses in Montevideo

Taxis, the most expensive trip can be USD 12 and this means crossing from one side of the city to the other literally, about 45 minute trip. Other than this taking taxis within the city can cost average USD 2 to USD 5 per trip. So, unlike Japan where taking a taxi can be as expensive as USD 300 for an hour ride in a taxi from one place to another, in Uruguay transportation is very different.

Traveling within Uruguay, for example Montevideo to Punta del Este (120 kilometers) can be as USD 10 per person.

Transports take their time in Uruguay. So, if traveling inside the country you may encounter delays but most of the time schedules are regularly met. For find out more read Intercity Buses in Uruguay

Taxis are usually fast and you can reach wherever you are going to be on time. It is very uncommon to see or experience a traffic jams. Another very important thing to outline is that even though you are a foreigner when you take a cab you are charged the same as a local unlike in other countries where drivers have a "double hidden" tariff. Taxi drivers always show the cost of the trip according to a rate-list available to the passenger.