When visiting Buenos Aires, there are many opportunities for day trips. Spending one day in Colonia makes for an exciting day trip to Uruguay from Buenos Aires. This UNESCO coastal town offers charming streets to wander through and a variety of fun things to do.
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History of Colonia
Colonia is located in southwestern Uruguay with a history that dates back to the 1600s. It was first founded by the Portuguese in 1680 as a strategic outpost to control the region’s resources.
In 1777, the Spanish took control of Colonia after many years of unsuccessful attacks. By the 1800s, Colonia fought for its independence from Spanish rule and finally gained it in the 1820s after the Spanish collapse.
Throughout the years, Colonia has experienced economic growth and has become an important port and trading center. Finally, in 1995, Colonia became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Present-day, it is known for its picturesque streets and colonial buildings. Visitors can enjoy the rich history and cultural heritage when visiting.
Why go to Colonia?
If you are like me, you love trying to cram in as much as possible during trips and exploring as many new places as possible. Since we had over five days to spend in Buenos Aires, I knew I wanted to take at least one day trip during my stay. Therefore, I found out about Colonia!
One day in Colonia is the perfect amount of time to spend exploring all it has to offer. It gives you a feel for Uruguay and is full of history. You will not be sorry when taking a day trip to Uruguay from Buenos Aires.
Currency in Uruguay
Uruguay is an interesting country as far as currency because they accept three different currencies: the US dollar, Uruguay Peso, and Argentine Peso. I just paid using my travel credit card for everything.
How to get to Colonia
You have two options on how to take a day trip to Uruguay from Buenos Aires: Book a tour or book ferry tickets. Although it seemed very easy to take a day trip to Colonia on your own, I opted to book a tour because it was not that much more expensive.
Book a Tour
The easiest way is to book a tour. I ended up booking a tour just because it was easy and pretty much the same price as doing it on our own. Our $115 tour included ferry tickets, a tour on arrival, and lunch. The following are some tour options.
- Colonia Ferry Tickets and Optional Tour
- Premium Day Tour to Colonia
- Small Group Tour to Colonia
- Day Trip to Colonia with Tangol Tours
On Your Own
You can also opt to book ferry tickets on your own. There are three different ferries that will transfer you to Colonia. In general, they are about the same price and offer the same things.
Buquebus: $100 round trip
Colonia Express: $80 round trip
SeaCat: You can book in Buenos Aires as the website does not currently work
Once you buy your ferry tickets, you can add some of these other day tours or explore on your own.
If I could do it again, I would book the ferry tickets on my own. While it was easy to book the tour package, I like exploring on my own better. I would also get a flexible ticket for returning to Buenos Aires so I could leave on any ferry.
Transportation in Colonia
Colonia is a very walkable city. The main part of town is all in one area. If you want to explore further out, I recommend renting a golf cart, especially if you have a small group. This makes for a fun way to get around and you can rent them by the hour.
What is it like taking a Day Trip to Uruguay from Buenos Aires?
First, you will need to get to the ferry terminal in Buenos Aires an hour and a half before your ferry departure time. We opted to take an Uber from our hotel because it was so early in the morning, but the bus and metro run near the ferry terminal.
Next, you will need to check into the ferry. At check-in, they check your passports and your tickets to make sure all the information matches. After check-in, you will then go through security before getting to immigration.
On the embarkation side (in Buenos Aires) you will go through Argentina immigration and then you will finally get to the waiting room. Once boarding begins, you can get on the ferry. There are no assigned seats and there is a small shop and a place to grab food on board.
It will take about an hour and 15 minutes to cross over to Uruguay. Upon arrival in Uruguay, you will go through customs and then you are free to explore Colonia!
If you booked a tour as we did, you will head to the arrival hall and find the Colonia Express booth. After checking in here, they will have you wait for the rest of the group before starting a walking tour of historic Colonia.
After the walking tour, you will have the rest of the day on your own. You can grab your included lunch at any time, as they give you vouchers to redeem. Once you finish your one day in Colonia, you will do the reverse and head back to Buenos Aires.
While it is a very long day and requires a bit of travel, it is worth taking a day trip from Buenos Aires to Uruguay.
What to do During One Day in Colonia
One day in Colonia is the perfect amount of time to spend exploring this gorgeous city. The main attractions are all a part of the historic quarter and are easily accessible on foot. From the ferry terminal, it is just a short walk to this area.
Day 1
Historical Colonia Railway Station
Your first stop during one day in Colonia will be the historical Colonia railway station, built in 1889. It was mainly used to transport goods from the port of Colonia to the capital of Montevideo. Today, the railway station is a museum and cultural center that gives visitors a good introduction to Colonia.
San Miguel Bastion and the City Walls
The main entrance to the historic quarter of Colonia is across a drawbridge through the city gate (just like in medieval times!). This is referred to as the San Miguel Bastion. From there, visitors can explore the rest of the historic area surrounded by the city walls.
Street of Sighs
The Street of Sighs will be one of the first areas you encounter after entering the historical quarter of Colonia. This alley is lined with old houses now turned into shops. If you are tall, you will want to watch your head.
The Street of Sighs is one of the original streets of Colonia. It is named due to the sorrowful sighs of the prisoners who walked down the alley to the nearby dungeons.
Basilica of the Blessed Sacrament
Cost: Free
Hours: Varies by day
This basilica was the main church of Colonia and one of the most important religious buildings. It originally was a small chapel, but later expanded into the basilica it is today. Built in the 1700s, visitors can go inside to see the architecture and ornate decorations or attend mass.
Colonia del Sacramento Lighthouse
Cost: $1 USD
Hours: 10 am – sunset
Another must-visit spot when spending one day in Colonia is the Colonia del Sacramento Lighthouse. This is one of the major landmarks of Colonia. It first came to be in 1857 to guide ships into the port of Colonia. Throughout the years, it has been refurbished. Present day, visitors can climb the lighthouse to take in panoramic views of the area.
La Comandancia
Cost: $$
Hours: Varies by Season
If you are looking for a lunch option during one day in Colonia, La Comandancia offers a wide variety of food for all. This restaurant was included in our pre-booked tour, and it definitely came with plenty of food! Note that you will pay extra for beverages. They also have lunch specials that come with several courses.
Rent a Golf Cart
Cost: $40 and up
Hours: 9am-7pm
After lunch, partake in one of the most popular activities in Colonia: driving around in a golf cart! All of the car rental shops rent golf carts by the day or hour. One of the best things about renting a golf cart is that it is an easy way to get out of the historic quarter and see more of the modern part of Colonia.
We rented our golf cart from Thrifty Rental Car and did not have a pre-booked reservation. I would advise you to go first thing upon arrival so you can ensure you will get a golf cart. We ended up doing a two-hour rental. Note that the driver must have a driver’s license.
If you rent a golf cart, you can check out the following places during your one day in Colonia. Note that the driving rules are pretty much the same as cars – obey the speed limit, stick to the right because you will be slower, signal when turning, and follow all signage.
Plaza de Toros Real de San Carlos
The Plaza de Toros Real de San Carlos is the former bullfighting ring in Colonia. It officially closed in 1912 after bullfighting became illegal. In recent years, it has reopened as a cultural center and a music/sports event arena. The stadium holds about 10,000 people.
Colonia Sign
One of the fun stops along this route is the huge letters that spell out Colonia. This is a classic Instagrammable spot that is worth a quick stop.
Visit the beaches
Although the water in Colonia may not look the prettiest, the beaches area popular places for locals. Playa Ferrando and Playa Honda are two of the more popular options, but there are a ton of places to stop in between Plaza de Toros Real de San Carlos and the Historic Quarter of Colonia.
Vinoteca de La Colonia
Cost: $
Hours: Sun-Fri: 11:15pm-10:30pm, Sat: 12pm-11pm
To wrap up your one day in Colonia, stop at La Vinoteca de La Colonia. The cute little wine shop offers a variety of Uruguayan wines by the glass at a super affordable price. You can also add cheese pairings to your wine pairings, which make for the perfect midday snack.
Final Tips for One Day in Colonia
If you have more than one day in Colonia make sure to check out the Portuguese Museum, the Municipal Museum, and the Colonia de Sacramento craft market. If you have more time to spend in the area, you can opt to add a visit to Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay. There are buses that frequently leave to head to Montevideo from Colonia.
One day in Colonia makes for an amazing day trip to Uruguay from Buenos Aires. The smaller walkable historic center gives visitors a break from the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires. You will not be sorry spending a day in this charming UNESCO site.
