Colonia del Sacramento Day Trip
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Wander through cobblestone streets
- Visit historic lighthouses
- Discover colonial architecture
- Enjoy panoramic river views
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Round-trip transportation from Buenos Aires
- Guided walking tour of Colonia del Sacramento
- Free time to explore the city
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
Your full-day tour starts with hotel pickup in Buenos Aires. Meet your guide and drive to the station catch a ferry to the city of Colonia. The ride is one hour long and you can admire the views as you travel. Once you get to the city of Colonia, you will enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of the city. This quaint town in Uruguay lies just on the opposite side of the River Plate. You will visit the historic center and be taken back in time. Founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, the town is famous for its cobbled, windy streets and colorful houses. Today, it is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Learn from your guide about the city's layout and how it differs from the majority of Uruguayan cities. Admire its streets and houses as well as small bars, restaurants. After your tour, you will have three more hours in Colonia to explore on your own. You can head to one of its lovely plazas and small flower-filled parks. You can enjoy lunch and visit some art and craft shops, museums and a large yacht harbour. After a nice day in Colonia, you will board the ferry back to Buenos Aires, where you will be taken back to your hotel.
It is born in the Plaza Mayor and continues on a slope to the Río de la Plata. It is a narrow street with Portuguese characteristics, cobbled with a wedge and without sidewalks. The sides are tilted towards the center to form a drainage channel. The houses, built in the first half of the 18th century, have stone walls, tile roofs and ceramic floors. The doors and windows are small and made of wood, although only houses with a gabled roof are preserved.
It was built in the year 1745 by order of the Portuguese governor Vasconcellos who at that time was leading these lands. In its origins the Door was the portico of entrance to Colony, protected at that time by a strong military of thick walls that were frequent target of pirate attacks, Spanish and English.
It was built in January 1857. It has two red flashes every nine seconds. It is a circular tower of white masonry with a dome with white and red radial stripes. It has a unique structure with a square base and a cylindrical tower that reaches the lantern. It was built on one of the old towers of the Convent of San Francisco, whose ruins are at the foot of the lighthouse. Its height is 26 meters and has a luminous range of 7.8 nautical miles.
The Basilica has the most unusual altar feature for its time and even now; a back lit semi-circular alcove that features a very large monstrance (receptacle for displaying the Sacred Host or Blessed Sacrament). The outside brickwork shows the Portuguese influence of its builders.
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour operates in Spanish; English-speaking guides may be limited.
- Border crossing times can vary; plan accordingly.
- Meals and beverages are not included; consider bringing snacks.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for cobblestone streets.
- Bring a valid passport for border crossing into Uruguay.
- Carry local currency (Uruguayan pesos) for purchases.
Cancellation policy
0All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Good to know
- NOTE: At the time of reservation the following information is needed in order to buy the ferry tickets: full names, date of birth, passport numbers and nationalities
- A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
- This is a kid-friendly tour
Traveler reviews
A great way to visit a new country!
We flew into Buenos Aires a day early because we wanted to take the opportunity to visit Uruguay and this tour was how we did it! We knew we’d be a bit jet lagged so doing something easy seemed a good idea and Signature Tours made it easy. Our driver picked us up at 7am and ensued we had our tickets on our phone. He explained what to do in the ferry terminal. We had to queue to get through passport control but it wasn’t too bad (and we were on a public holiday). The Argentine and Uruguayan controls were right next to each other and unlike Argentina, Uruguay does stamp your passport! We had a smooth crossing and bought some hot drinks to have with our takeaway breakfast. At the other side we were met by our delightful guide Alejandra. We learned a lot of interesting stuff about Uruguay and had a good tour of the town. We could see BA in the distance across the River Plate estuary. We then had time to ourselves and chose to eat at the restaurant in the square by the church. It was good. We then walked some more around the town and stopped at a bakery for coffee and cake. Alejandra then took us back to the ferry terminal. We went through passports and got another stamp! At BA we were met by our same driver and we were back in our hotel by 18.30. Some reviews say there’s not a lot to Colonia. Yes, it’s certainly not as exciting as BA and there’s nothing really amazing there. But if you’re looking for an easy relaxing day, visiting and learning about a new country, having a friendly guide and a nice lunch, then this tour is a good way to do it.
Colonia day trip
Jesus the driver was incredible. Very prompt and professional and great communication. Mayra our guide in Uruguay was outstanding. She gave us some much incredible information. Highly recommend this!
Another country off my list to visit
All went as it should, I think it could be a little bit shorter in duration, but overall a good experience
Informative and leisurely break to Quiet Colonia
Our visit included early morning pick-up and early evening drop-off, with driver assisting to obtain our boat ticket. Customs and trip over and back was uneventful and our guide was waiting for us in Colonia. Alejandra was enthusiastic about her country and provided a leisurely tour. Very informative and enjoyable.
One day in Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
Beautiful city tour, very friendly your guides, very friendly your people. Lindisima city