We heard conflicting reports about the need of yellow fever vaccination for Bolivia. After consulting with the Bolivian embassy here in Montevideo, we made an appointment with the Maritime Health at the Port of Montevideo for the vaccination.
Uruguayans are very helpful people. Even if you don't speak Spanish, there are ways to get things done. I called the Maritime Health at +598 2 915 4765 and was so blessed to have a gentleman from another department who spoke a little English. He made it a point to get an English speaking person to call me the next day since the office was closed. The center is open to public (and answers calls) between the hours of 9 am to 12 noon.
A Dr. Nora from another department and building, who spoke perfect English called and made the 10 a.m. appointment for my teens and I for Monday. My husband had his done three years ago before leaving for Tanzania.
Note: Yellow fever vaccinations last for 10 years.
We were told to get to the Buquebus Terminal. The center is located inside the port, on the right side of Buquebus terminal. Here are the two buildings, one is the Maritime Building (on the left as you face the port) and Uruguay National building on the right (after the traffic light, a smaller building). Follow the sign PEATONES on the walkway. You will have to tell the guard your intentions to Montevideo Port. The Maritime Building is not an easy building to find.
Walk towards the end of the building on the right of Buquebus building towards the brown building facing the water. There was no sign on the building or any indication of a vaccination facility. They were all warehouses. Picture below shows the front of the building and door without signs.
The vaccination office is on the second floor. Take the stairs and you will see this sign at the door on the left:
The yellow fever vaccination costs 397 Uruguayan pesos per person (about US$21). The Bolivian embassy does not issue visas in Uruguay. We can only get it when entering Bolivia and do all paperwork at immigration upon entering the country. Other than Yellow Fever vaccination, here are a few more things required to enter Bolivia are:
- Valid passport
- Round trip tickets or other forms of transportation
- Hotel reservation
- International credit card
- USD 135 per person.
Address of Maritime Health Montevideo:
Ministerio de Salud Publica
Division Epidemiologia
Departamento Vigilancia en Fronteras
Sanidad Maritama y Fluvial
Puerto de Montevideo
Tel: +598 2 915 4765
My wife and I just left Bolivia after visiting it for around a month. As a US citizen they were more worried I paid the entry visa than anything, and my wife, Aiko, as a Peruvian just had to get a stamp. Even when we renewed Aiko's visa for an additional 30 days, as a just in case due to all the blockades, no one ever asked about a yellow fever vac. We've been through Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia and now Peru over the past 6 months and haven't had anyone bring it up on our crossings. From most of our readings the yellow vac requirement is outdated and rarely, if ever, asked for. Though, in your case I hope the effort and money was worth it - so in a way, though it sounds weird, I hope you do get asked for proof so it was worth it.
Thanks Cornelius for the info. We did it because of two reasons, the 'just in case' they ask in Bolivia and also for our trip to Tanzania and other parts of Africa in the near future. Looks like we are taking almost the same route in South America. Where will you be heading next?