Day trip from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay

It’s simple to drive to the Uruguayan town of Colonia del Sacramento from Montevideo, and you can also take a day trip there by ferry from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Colonia, one of the oldest cities in Uruguay, was founded in 1680, and the UNESCO has designated its historic district as a World Heritage Site for its architecture and background.

A day journey from Argentina to Colonia is risk-free, simple, and affordable. In addition to taking advantage of this lovely town’s amenities, visiting Colonia also offers the novelty of visiting another nation or getting your visa renewed.

This travel guide will outline the best tours and boat companies to utilise, how to get to Colonia Del Sacramento from either Buenos Aires or Montevideo, and anything else you need to know before you go!

Colonia Del Sacramento: Where Is It?

On Uruguay’s southwest coast, bordering the Argentine city of Buenos Aires, is the settlement of Colonia Del Sacramento.

It is fewer than 50 nautical miles from Buenos Aires and 180 km by car from Uruguay’s capital of Montevideo.

How To Travel To Colonia Del Sacramento From Montevideo, Uruguay

You can take a vehicle, bus, or tour to travel to Colonia from Montevideo. It takes 2 to 3 hours to drive.

This route is serviced by numerous bus companies, and all of them have amenities like air conditioning, restrooms, and reclining seats. On Bookaway, you can purchase tickets in advance.

GetYourGuide offers day trips to Colonia from Montevideo that include hotel pickup and drop-off as well as a trilingual tour guide to show you around the town of Colonia Del Sacramento if you want to make things more easier. Private tours are also offered from Montevideo.

GetYourGuide is fantastic; we’ve used them for several trips and events all around the world. highly advisable

The best way to get from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento

Colonia is reachable from Argentina by ferry from Buenos Aires. There are numerous ferry companies to select from, and the harbour is located at Puerto Madero.

Although in my instance I would have been OK with less than one hour, the ferries suggest to be at the harbour 1.5 hours before departure time. It certainly varies by the day.

Although it’s a good idea to reserve your tickets in advance, all of the ferry companies operate daily departures travelling back and forth in the morning and evening, so doing this as a day excursion is not a problem. They do occasionally sell out.

The boat voyage is quick—it only takes approximately 1.5 hours to cruise in either direction—safe, comfortable, and peaceful. On the flight back to Argentina, I even discovered an electrical socket where I could recharge my phone.

The border is relatively open to immigration on both sides. It was quite simple to do this as a day trip as I was a US citizen and didn’t need a visa for Argentina or Uruguay. However, make sure to check the most recent visa regulations for your nationality in these countries and don’t forget to bring your passport!

Best Ferry To Colonia Del Sacramento From Buenos Aires

Buquebus and Colonia Express are the two primary ferry companies that operate out of Buenos Aires.

You can choose whichever company has seats available for your travel dates since they both operate similar schedules to Colonia Del Sacramento and offer similar levels of quality. SeaCat is a third choice, albeit they don’t seem to be as popular.

On Bookaway or GetYourGuide, you may purchase tickets for the Buquebus or the Colonia Express. The latter has the advantage of offering both an optional winery visit and a walking tour with a bilingual tour guide.

It’s also possible to purchase tickets on the ferry companies’ official websites, but these pages are written in Spanish and have numerous bugs, making it actually simpler to use a third party service.

Activities In Uruguay’s Colonia Del Sacramento

The historic district in Colonia Del Sacramento is close to the ferry harbour once you get there, and the neighbourhood is compact enough for you to walk through it all. There is absolutely no need for transportation.

Due to its colonial past, Colonia is a tranquil and lovely town with cobblestone streets, charming old buildings, and a fusion of Portuguese and Spanish cultural influences.

Some of the top attractions in Colonia del Sacramento are listed below:

City Wall and Gate. The stone gate, wooden drawbridge, and defensive wall at the entrance to the historic district, built in 1745 AD, are the first things visitors notice in Colonia. For more views of the waterfront, walk along the wall after climbing up to the top to see an old cannon.

Street of Sadness. With its vibrant old buildings and cobblestone road, this is one of Colonia’s most picturesque streets.
The Blessed Sacrament basilica. An old Catholic church from the 1800s with beautiful architecture, including arched ceilings.

Lighthouse at Colonia del Sacramento. The Convent of San Francisco Javier, a 17th-century chapel, served as the foundation for this lighthouse, which was constructed in 1857. For centuries and still in use today, the light directed sailors to safety. For a small cash fee, you can ascend the tower to get a view of the surrounding area.

Uruguayan Pietra Minerals. Agates, quartz, and amethysts are among the semi-precious stones available in this charming little rock store. Even if you decide not to purchase anything, it’s a great place to browse. Even small rocks were being given away for free to every visitor when I was there by the owner.

Last but not least, Colonia is home to a number of fascinating museums, including a Portuguese Museum and a renowned Origami Art Museum. If you rent a bike, you can even visit some beaches close by!

Duration of Stay in Colonia

The best parts of Colonia Del Sacramento can be seen in a single day trip, though you are welcome to stay longer if you like the relaxed atmosphere of the place.

For several days, there are plenty of lodging options and dining establishments in the area. You could use the extra time to leisurely explore the historic district and all of the museums.

Additional Advice for Colonia Town

What to Wear: Because Uruguay has similar weather and temperatures to Buenos Aires, you can wear summer clothing for the majority of the year.

Where To Stay: Two decent hotel options are Posada del Angel or Posada Boutique Las Terrazas.

Restaurants: Eating places in Colonia tend to be a bit overpriced because of tourism, but the food is good. Check out Charco Bistro or Casa Viera.

Cash: You can usually pay for products with US Dollars or Argentine Pesos, so there’s no need to change money to Uruguayan Pesos, especially on a day trip. Some places even accept Euros or Brazilian Reals. The lone exception is the museums, which have a tiny entrance fee that can only be paid with Uruguayan cash, nothing else. There are several ATMs throughout town if needed.

Credit Cards: Most places in town take credit cards, including restaurants and motels, so this is often the best way to pay for anything. Small souvenir stands may be cash only.

WiFi: The town has decent phone reception and you can find speedy WiFi at many restaurants and hotels. Staying connected is no trouble.