Colonia del Sacramento: Puentes Destination Guide

Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, is just across the Río de la Plata river from bustling Buenos Aires, but seems worlds away. Its “barrio histórico” (historic quarter), which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is constructed of winding cobblestone streets and colorful houses, reminiscent of the port city’s Portuguese roots. Colonia is usually enjoyed as a day trip, but if you’d like a relaxing weekend away, it’s a nice option for that too.

HOw to get there

From Buenos Aires: There are three different ferries that connect Buenos Aires and Colonia: Buquebus and Colonia Express. If for some reason you have trouble purchasing tickets online, all three of these companies have offices in Buenos Aires. Buquebus is the most efficient and the most expensive of the two. The ferry takes an hour and 15 minutes. Colonia Express is a more economic option that is also dependable. Buquebus’s terminal is in Puerto Madero, while Colonia Express has its own terminal closer to La Boca. We recommend 1 day for your stay in Colonia.

From Montevideo: Take a long distance bus from the Terminal Tres Cruces in Montevideo. It is a 2.5-3 hour bus ride to Colonia, depending on the service. The main bus companies operating this route are COT and Turil.

WHERE TO STAY

As mentioned previously, Colonia is usually enjoyed as a day trip. However, spending a nice relaxing weekend in the area right outside of the main town is also enjoyable. Getting around is a snap since you can rent golf carts, or for longer distances to visit Uruguay’s Carmelo wine region for example, you can rent or hire a car. If you are interested in a weekend trip, we suggest checking Airbnb for accommodation options.

WHAT TO DO

Shop at Grupo Artesanal de Colonia (beside the front gate to the Casco Histórico).
Visit the Acuario (Virrey Cevallos 236 and Rivadavia): Open from 2pm to 6pm.
Hang out on the local beach, Playa Ferrando.
Visit the Plaza de Toros Real de San Carlos, the historic bullfighting ring and the only structure of its type in Uruguay.
Visit some of the numerous museums, many of which are located around the historic plaza:
- Museo Municipal Dr. Bautista Rebuffo (Calle Del Comercio 77)
- Museo Portugués (Calle Enríquez de la Peña 180 -184)
- Museo del Azulejo (Misiones de los Tapes 104)
- Museo Indígena (Calle Del Colegio and Av. Gral. Flores)
Rent a golf cart or scooter to zip around town. Remember your driver’s license in order to rent!
- Dollar (Rivera 128); Thrifty (General Flores 172); Punta Car (18 de Julio and Rivera)