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An Expat Account of… Parking Your Car in Uruguay

An Expat Account of… Parking Your Car in Uruguay
By Syd Blackwell

On our first visit to Uruguay, we rented a car to tour some of the countryside around Montevideo. The first night we stopped at Hotel Playa Brava located on a very quiet side street in Atlantida. As a force of habit we wondered how safe was our rental car going to be on such a street?

As we parked, a man seemed to appear from nowhere. He didn’t say anything to us, but he was definitely eyeing our car. We grabbed all our bags, locked the car doors, and went in the hotel. He didn’t go away. What to do?

During registration we asked where we should park our car. The hotel owner said the street was safe. When we pointed out that there was already somebody out there who seemed very interested in our car, he laughed, and then explained to us about the Uruguayan system of parking.

Our suspicious character, it seemed, was there to look after our car. The hotel owner assured us the man would check on it throughout the night. We were impressed that a small hotel would provide such a service. Our hotelier was again amused and further explained that he did not hire or pay this man. The parking guy was relying on us to tip him for his services. We also learned that the expected tip was very tiny considering he would be actively watching our car for many, many hours.

The next morning, after breakfast, we checked out. Our car minder was there with a big smile. Impressed, I am sure we gave him much more than had been expected.

These car keepers are everywhere. You can drive down a street and not see one, but park your car and suddenly one appears. They are men or women; young and old. They are called acomodadores. The word derives from the verb acomodar, “to accommodate”; and, using one definition, “to provide something needed”, they are very accommodating indeed.

Most of the acomodadores are licensed by the municipality where they work, however, they are not paid by that municipality. Others just seem to be free-lancers. Many wear a brightly colored traffic safety vest; others do not. You’ll find them at all events and outdoor markets, and at beach areas in summer—anywhere there are people gathering. And strangely, there doesn’t seem to be any conflict between them—they seems to know their territory.

The neatest thing about the whole system is the absence of parking meters. Can you imagine that in North America? Not too likely. Only the smallest towns manage without meters. And even there, you might have some over-zealous by-law enforcement officer or such running around ticketing your car. How much nicer to find someone who assists you to find a parking space, watches over your car while you are gone, and then hand-signals traffic to pause while you pull out of your parking spot. All this for the tiniest of remunerations—a tip of 3 to 5 pesos (less than 25 cents) is considered sufficient.

In the only big city, Montevideo, there are, of course, parking lots and garages. They charge for their service, but even these charges pale in comparison to charges for similar services in North America. You can park along most streets in Montevideo, where once again, you will find the acomodadore waiting to help you.

Since we moved to Uruguay, we have enjoyed the services of the acomodadores. Most of the local ones have come to know us and greet us like old friends, even noting when we changed vehicles. Two recent stories show how valuable and dedicated they are.

On a recent Saturday morning, we went to Montevideo for Dia del Patrimonio. As we neared the harbor area, in a part of Montevideo that is not the best, we saw a car by the side of the road that had been broken into. A window was smashed to gain access, and the thieves didn’t even bother to close the car doors. There were no acomodadores in sight. We drove on a little further, nearer to the port market area. There we parked in front of an old, unused building. A woman appeared very quickly. She was wearing the familiar vest and assured us she would look after our car. We didn’t return until late in the day. She was still there. Our car had been completely safe in her hands. We were generous in our reward.

Just a few days ago, we were at the local bank. I guess I had been a bit careless in parking and was slightly blocking a driveway. I had not noticed the acomodadore who usually works this street. However, he noticed us because a few minutes later, while we waited our turn in the busy bank, he came in to find me and ask me if I could move the car a little so a vehicle could use the driveway. Of course, I did. I was happy that he knew who owned the car and where he could find me.

I have never heard a single story about a problem with an acomodadore. I think that any visitor to Uruguay is in for a most pleasant surprise when it comes to parking their car.