Hi all! Welcome to your guide for a day trip to Colonia, Uruguay!

Colonia is a Portuguese colonial town and UNESCO World Heritage Site that is easily accessible from Buenos Aires, Argentina. You’ll simply board a ferry in Buenos Aires, and in an hour and a half you’ll arrive in the lovely town of Colonia.

In this post you will find an itinerary and everything you need to know for an exciting day trip to Colonia.

Let’s get right into your guide for a day trip to Colonia, Uruguay!

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Day Trip to Colonia – Travel Guide

Transportation from Buenos Aires

From Buenos Aires, getting to Colonia is super easy.

First, purchase your ferry tickets here. This site is great as it allows you to compare ferry prices for different ferry companies. I booked the night before my trip, and round trip tickets were $70. If you book earlier these prices will likely be lower.

I chose to take the Colonia Express Ferry, as their prices were the lowest and the departure times were the best for my schedule. They have ferries that depart Buenos Aires in the morning and return in the evening.

When booking your ferry tickets, I recommend planning to spend at least 5-6 hours exploring Colonia. It’s a good idea to leave Buenos Aires in the morning and return in the evening.

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The Colonia Express ferries were very comfy and clean. Onboard you can exchange money and they also have a Duty Free style store! I found the store prices to be pretty expensive, but most of the products were imported from the U.S., so the up-charge makes sense.

Exchanging Money in Colonia

Colonia is more expensive than Buenos Aires, however, it is not overly expensive by any means.

Although you can exchange money in Colonia, it’s much easier to do it on the ferry. The exchange rate will be slightly less favorable, but it is a much easier process and you won’t have to spend time upon arrival searching for a place to exchange your money.

Alternatively, you can always get Uruguayan pesos from an ATM in Colonia, just be sure to notify your bank beforehand.

Tip: I don’t recommend exchanging a lot of money, especially if you’re only spending the day in Colonia. Most all places took credit cards, but it’s good to have cash just in case.

Eat – Restaurants in Colonia

Colonia is filled with tons of restaurants and cafes to choose from. Many are located on the water and offer beautiful views.

On the walk from the ferry terminal to the center of the old town you will come across tons of restaurants on the main street (Avenida General Flores), however, most all of these restaurants are extremely touristy and don’t have the best reviews. Instead of stopping at these restaurants, wait until you reach the old town (about ten minutes walking from the ferry terminal) and you will find tons of restaurants to choose from.

Due to the fact that Colonia is a tourist destination, these restaurants are targeted to tourists as well, however, unlike the restaurants on the main street many of the restaurants closer to the center of town don’t have pushy hosts and picture menus.

Colonia Restaurant Recommendations:

• Colonia Sandwich Coffee Shop – a great stop for a coffee and a quick snack
• La Beduina Deli & Café – a lovely spot for an afternoon sandwich and coffee
• Lentas Maravillas – a cafe with great coffee + food
• La Comandancia – a cute and funky restaurant for lunch or dinner with outdoor seating
• La Bodeguita – pizza with an amazing view of the water
• Chopería Mastra Colonia – a craft beer hangout with bar food

Activities – Fun Things to do in Colonia

Colonia is a small town, but there are plenty of activities and sites to see to fill up an afternoon or overnight trip.

Visit the Museums

There are eight museums in Colonia for tourists to visit and they’re a fantastic way to learn about the fascinating history of the city!

Start at the Museo del Período Histórico Portugués where you can pick up a map and pay the entrance fee of 50UYU ($1.30 USD).

This entrance fee will allow you access to all eight museums in the town – so it’s a great deal! Even if you only want to visit one or two of the museums, you can’t go wrong with buying the museum pass.

Climb El Faro

Located near the Museo del Período Histórico Portugués you’ll see El Faro, a lighthouse from the 1850s. You can climb to the top and from there you’ll have impressive views of the town and el Rio de la Plata.

Visit the Basílica del Santísimo Sacramento

This church is so beautiful inside and out! It’s definitely worth stopping by and taking a look around. We visited just before Christmas, and in the crypt of the church was the most incredible nativity scene I’ve ever seen!

Relax in the Plaza 25 De Agosto

After a long day of exploring Colonia, it’s nice to take a rest in one of the many parks. I recommend Plaza 25 de Agosto, as there is lots of shade and also benches to sit on. Bring a book and some snacks and spend some time here before walking back to the ferry terminal.

There are tons of other parks all around Colonia that are beautiful as well! Check out the parks next to the church and in front of La Vivienda Portuguesa Museum!

Do Some Shopping

Colonia has many touristy shops that are perfect for buying souvenirs. Spend some time exploring the many stores and checking out the local products!

I collect paintings from each destination I visit, and although there were not many stores that sold artwork in Colonia, I was able to find a beautiful painting, painted by a local artist.

In addition to buying souvenirs, I always love to go to local supermarkets and buy candy and treats that are specific to the country!

On your way back to the ferry terminal you’ll pass multiple supermarkets, so stop by, pick up some treats and spend the rest of your Uruguayan pesos before returning to Argentina.

Take Photos

This one sounds obvious, I know, but Colonia is really a photographer’s dream! There are so many beautiful streets, buildings and natural landscapes to photograph.

It’s also a great place to take Instagram photos! Colonia is bright and colorful, and such a fun place to take pictures.

Spend the Night

In addition to being a great place for a day trip, Colonia makes for a wonderful overnight getaway.

There are numerous lovely hotels in the town to stay in, and spending the night allows you more time to explore the area.

Hotel Recommendations:

• El Viajero Colonia Hostel & Suites ($)
• Hotel Italiano ($)
• Posada Plaza Mayor ($$)
• Posada Boutique Las Terrazas ($$)
• Don Antonio Posada ($$)
• Charco Hotel ($$$)

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So there you have it! I hope this guide for a day trip to Colonia has been helpful to you! When visiting Buenos Aires, Colonia is an amazing addition to any itinerary.

It’s truly one of the most beautiful towns I’ve visited, and a day trip from Buenos Aires is a great way to visit Uruguay during your time in South America.

If you have any questions, or anything to add to this post, let me know in the comments!

Lastly, I appreciate you sharing this post with someone you know who would love Colonia, Uruguay!

pin me!

♡Kate

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