If you visit Buenos Aires, you may as well visit Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay and get that extra passport stamp as it’s just a hop, skip, and a jump across the river. You can even see Uruguay from tall buildings in Buenos Aires.

It’s also a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires, as Colonia is a small town in a small country. In fact, there have been talks about building a bridge from Buenos Aires to Colonia, but Colonia is afraid it will get overrun by Argentinian tourism and lose its small-town charm. It’s a beautiful town you will not want to miss! Even though Uruguay is considered Argentina’s little brother, it is a country with its own charm and distinct history reflected in its architecture and food culture. 

Talking about visits to Uruguay to an English-speaking audience means it’s a must to talk about visa runs. You might be looking at this article precisely for that reason. Many people use Uruguay to extend their tourist visas beyond the usual six-month maximum. It isn’t without its risks, but the risk an agent will deny you entry is extremely low at the time of this blog. If that is your goal, you will want to take advantage of the opportunity to do some tourism. So here’s a guide on getting there and some things to do. 

Getting there:

You will want to take a ferry from Buenos Aires to Colonia. It’s only about an hour long, but make sure you bring your camera as you’ll see beautiful views while out on the water. Buquebus and Colonia Express are the two main companies that run these ferry trips. Get your tickets at least a few days early as Uruguay is a very popular destination for Argentinians and tourists alike. When there’s a long weekend involved, you’ll want to plan even earlier. Look up Argentinian holidays if you’re not familiar with them. If you want exact dates, give yourself some extra time. 

What to do while there: 

From the boat it’s only about a ten minute walk to the town, it’s probably easiest just to follow the crowd or take a taxi. Once you arrive, you will need your camera ready to explore this beautiful colonial town. 

The historic district is a popular destination as it’s known for its buildings from its time as a Portuguese settlement. You can visit the remnants of the old city walls and also climb the lighthouse for a beautiful view of the river. Check this view out at sunset and prepare to be amazed! This is particularly unique for Argentinians or anyone who stays there long-term as we’re accustomed to the sun rising over the river, whereas in Uruguay the sun is going to be setting over the river. The historic district is also home to the UNESCO World Heritage site the street of sighs, which has kept a lot of its Portuguese character. I’ll let you find out why it’s called the street of sighs!

Half the point of a good vacation is eating different foods. As it’s riverside you will want to try its fresh seafood. Assuming you’ve spent time in Argentina you’ll want to try some of its more distinctive dishes. Look for its Portuguese influenced cuisine and the chivito, its famous sandwich. Like Argentina, Uruguay has an asado (grilled beef) and wine culture. Both have their own unique characteristics. I tried the wine and it was excellent. If you love a good wine you absolutely want to check out Uruguayan wine.  Of course, you will probably also want to check out its sweet treats.

As for how much time is needed? You can likely see all the main attractions in one day. However, if you want to take your time, absorb the atmosphere, relax at the beach, sample more of the food, and explore the details of the city and all its attractions you could easily fill three days. The sunsets at the beach are incredible. You may easily want to spend your late afternoons at the beach, watching the beautiful sunset, or eat at a riverside restaurant with a spectacular view. If you love the beach and/or beautiful sunsets you will want to plan some extra time.

While you’re here in Argentina, let’s make some beautiful memories before you head off to Uruguay!  See you soon!