URUGUAY

• Travel Times: There are no direct flights from Paris to Montevideo, Uruguay, so travel usually involves one connection. A common route is via Madrid or São Paulo – total travel time is roughly 15–16 hours. For instance, Air Europa via Madrid or Air France with a South American partner will get you to Montevideo with one stop (approx. 16h including layover) . Another approach is flying to Buenos Aires, Argentina (Paris to BA ~13h ) and then a short 45-minute hop or a 2-3 hour ferry ride across the Rio de la Plata to Montevideo. From the U.S., connections are often through Miami (Miami to Montevideo ~9h non-stop) or through Buenos Aires. Despite the lack of non-stop Europe service, Uruguay is fairly easy to reach via its neighbors – a factor to consider if bringing in crew or equipment (sometimes productions route gear through Buenos Aires due to more flight options).

• Weather: Uruguay has a temperate climate with four seasons, opposite to the Northern Hemisphere. Summers (December–February) are warm to hot (30°C days, pleasant nights) and are the high season – ideal for beach shoots and outdoor scenes with green landscapes. Winters (June–August) are mild to chilly: temperatures can dip to 5°C at night and around 13–15°C by day. It never gets brutally cold (snow is virtually unknown), but winter brings more overcast days and occasional rain. Rainfall is fairly evenly distributed through the year, but spring (Sep–Nov) can be a bit wetter and sometimes windy. For filming, the prime months are October through April for longer daylight and comfortable weather. Autumn (March–May) is particularly nice – stable weather and beautiful golden light. Summers are great for sun and blue skies, though January can be very hot and humid at times. Uruguay’s climate overall poses few extreme challenges – you won’t have hurricanes or monsoons here. One consideration: because the country is mostly flat, wind can be an issue on the coast; a coastal shoot might need wind mitigation (wind screens, secured audio) especially in the spring. But generally, expect moderate, manageable weather. The light in Uruguay is often compared to the Mediterranean’s, making it attractive for cinematographers – clear and crisp in the cooler months, soft and golden in summer evenings.

• Film Industry Considerations: Uruguay, despite its small size, has built a strong reputation in advertising production. The country has specialized in producing commercials (often for international brands) for many years and has a highly professional crew base oriented toward servicing these projects . Montevideo is the center of the industry – you’ll find very skilled crews, many of whom are bilingual or have worked abroad. Crew sizes tend to be smaller and multitasking is common (a positive when trying to keep a nimble unit). Equipment: Uruguay has a decent array of rental gear in Montevideo – digital cinema cameras (Alexa, RED, etc.), lenses, lighting, and basic grip equipment are available. For any high-end or uncommon gear that isn’t locally available, it’s simple to source from Argentina just across the river; Montevideo-based producers frequently truck in additional equipment from Buenos Aires overnight. The country’s small scale means fewer studios – most shooting is done on location, but there are a couple of soundstage spaces in Montevideo for set builds or product shoots if needed. Permits: Filming permits in Uruguay are generally straightforward and often faster than in larger countries. Montevideo’s film commission (and Uruguay’s national film agency ICAU) are very cooperative. Closing a street in Montevideo or arranging police assistance is typically feasible with a bit of notice and at low (or no) cost, given the city’s manageable traffic. Uruguay’s officials are keen to accommodate productions to bolster the country’s film-friendly image. Talent: Uruguay’s population is relatively small (3.5 million), but there’s a good pool of actors and models, many of European descent which can be useful for certain casting looks. If very specific casting is needed that can’t be found locally, Buenos Aires (a city of ~15 million) is an hour’s flight away and often used as an extended casting resource, with talent then brought over (no visa issues between Argentina and Uruguay). Another big plus: Uruguay is known for being organized and safe – the production process is typically low-stress with little bureaucracy and a collaborative approach by local crews.

• Recommended Shooting Locations: Uruguay offers charming and clean visuals, often described as having a “European” look in South America. The country is famous for its beaches and coastline along the Atlantic. For upscale fashion or car commercials, Punta del Este is a prime spot – it’s a glossy resort city with modern high-rises, luxury houses, marinas, and long stretches of beach; it can double for Miami or Southern France on camera. Along the coast you also have areas like José Ignacio (a chic, more rustic beach town with dunes and designer beach shacks favored by celebrities) and Cabo Polonio (remote dunes, no electricity – giving a raw natural beach setting). Montevideo itself provides a variety of looks within a compact area : the capital has a mix of historical and modern architecture. The Ciudad Vieja (Old City) has colonial-era and early 20th-century buildings, cobblestone streets, and European-style plazas – great for period looks or an Old World feel. Then just blocks away, the downtown and beachfront Rambla area features Art Deco, Neoclassical, and modern buildings along a 20km waterfront esplanade . Montevideo’s Rambla (seaside promenade) is iconic – palm-lined with the ocean on one side and city on the other, ideal for car commercials (smooth roads with a scenic backdrop) or lifestyle shoots. In terms of landscapes, Uruguay doesn’t have mountains or jungles, but it has picturesque rolling countryside (the pampas): green hills, farmland, vineyards and estancias (ranches). These rural scenes can work well for automotive commercials needing gentle curves and open roads, or for any narrative requiring a pastoral backdrop. One unique landscape element: palm tree groves in the eastern interior (e.g. Valle del Lunarejo or near Rocha) – savannah-like fields dotted with palm trees, giving an exotic twist to rural scenes. Colonia del Sacramento, a UNESCO World Heritage town, offers beautifully preserved Portuguese colonial architecture on quaint stone streets – it’s often used to portray old colonial towns and could double for Mediterranean villages too. Urban infrastructure like empty highways, modern bridges, stadiums are available in or near Montevideo for more generic cityscapes. Uruguay’s low population means many locations are easy to secure and not crowded – you can find an empty beach, a quiet colonial street, or an open country road with relative ease, perfect for controlled shoots. In summary, Uruguay shines for beach and urban European-style settings, clean and safe cityscapes, and pastoral rural scenes. It’s an excellent choice for high-end brand visuals that want a Latin American flavor with a modern, upscale twist, or for car spots needing well-maintained roads in scenic locales without interference.

• Production Incentives: Uruguay has put in place incentives to lure productions. The main offering is a cash rebate of 20%–25% on eligible local spend through the Uruguay Audiovisual Program (PUA). For international productions (including advertising) that partner with a local Uruguayan company, the program will reimburse up to 25% of qualified expenses incurred in Uruguay . There is a cap of USD $400,000 per project for the rebate and a minimum spend requirement (about $500k to $1M depending on project type) . Notably, this rebate did not initially cover commercialsunder certain lines, but Uruguay has specific provisions now for advertising – meaning high-budget ad campaigns can qualify, especially if they use local services and talent. Additionally, Uruguay offers a VAT exemption of 22% on production services for foreign shoots . This VAT exemption is straightforward: foreign producers can get a certificate through the film commission to not pay VAT on rentals, hotels, transport, etc., making those costs effectively tax-free . When you combine the VAT savings and the potential rebate, Uruguay becomes quite financially attractive. For example, crew and gear expenses could be more than 20% cheaper than sticker price after rebates. Another incentive is the lack of taxes on foreign cast/crew income – Uruguay does not tax short-term production work by non-residents, simplifying payroll. The relatively small scale of Uruguay’s industry also means your project will likely get VIP attention – the film commission often goes the extra mile to assist with locations and logistics, effectively adding value beyond formal incentives.

• Logistical Challenges: On the flip side of being small and efficient, Uruguay’s limitations come from scale and variety. If a script calls for dramatic mountains, dense jungle, or huge metropolitan crowds, Uruguay cannot provide those – you’d have to plan for those sequences elsewhere. However, for many commercial shoots, this isn’t an issue as the country covers a lot of the needed bases (coast, city, countryside). The crew size is smaller; if you have a very large-scale production, you might need to import crew for specialized roles or if multiple shoots happen concurrently. That said, Uruguay can handle a decent-sized commercial production – the infrastructure for large advertising shoots (which often involve international crews of 50-100 people) is in place. One challenge can be the peak season: January and February is summer vacation in Uruguay and many crew and resources might be engaged with the influx of commercial shoots or on holiday. It’s wise to secure crew and accommodations early if filming in the height of summer, especially around Punta del Este where tourism peaks. Equipment availability is another consideration – while most standard gear is available, there may only be a few of each item in country. If your shoot needs two techno-cranes simultaneously, for instance, you’d likely need to source an extra from Argentina. Fortunately, borders with Argentina are open and the import process for gear is efficient, particularly with the VAT exemption in place. On logistics like transport and distances, Uruguay is easy: you can drive from Montevideo to most corners of the country in 4–6 hours at most. The road network is good and relatively empty. This means a production can be based in Montevideo (with its full amenities) and still reach far locations with a short drive. Bureaucratic hurdles are minimal, but do remember that to unlock incentives, you must engage a local production company and follow the program guidelines – missing paperwork could risk the rebate, so a reliable local partner is key (most are well-versed in this). In terms of safety and security, Uruguay is one of the safest countries in the region; crime rates are very low, which reduces risk for night shoots or leaving equipment (still use normal precautions). Overall, Uruguay’s logistical “challenges” are more about its capacity – as long as your production fits within what the country offers (and most commercials and brand shoots do), you’ll find it an incredibly smooth place to film, often easier than larger nations due to the lack of red tape and compact geography. The small limitations are easily planned for, and many foreign crews come away praising how straightforward shooting in Uruguay is.