We didn’t originally plan on a day trip to Uruguay from Buenos Aires. Yet, somehow it worked out perfectly! Not only is Colonia del Sacramento considered the most beautiful city in Uruguay, but it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That means it’s absolutely worth it to cross countries to get to. Travel with us as we go from Buenos Aires to Uruguay on the Colonia Express, and spend the afternoon exploring this magical place. This guide includes everything from where to get the Colonia del Sacramento Museum Pass to the must have meal in town.
Why to Take a Day Trip from Buenos Aires to Uruguay
We originally wanted to spend two weeks exploring the country of Uruguay. Unfortunately, due to the time of year, the beaches were cold and many places were not yet open for the season.
We then settled on two nights in the small, but charming town of Colonia del Sacramento. However, the Colonia Express ferry tickets were not on our side either!
Coming in at $100 USD each round trip, the 45 minute boat trip from Buenos Aires to Uruguay was going to cost us the same as we paid for our round trip flight to Iguazu Falls.
That’s when we found the only deal: A round trip boat ride and Walking Tour with Colonia Express for about $40 USD each. We wanted to have more time in Uruguay, but for now we’d have to get just a small taste of this charming country.
Colonia del Sacramento Tip: We’ve heard so many cases of travelers not being able to book their tickets on the Colonia Express. We had problems with the website as well, and our hotel was able to help us with the booking.
Colonia Express & Customs
Our boat was scheduled for 8:15am, so we made sure to arrive an hour early like we were told. It’s super important to leave yourself enough time because you have to go through customs on both the Argentina side, and get stamped for Uruguay.
Colonia Express Tip: This is so important! We had no idea that when you go through Argentinian customs they do the Uruguay Visa in practically the same spot.
Don’t forget to get a stamp for your entrance to Uruguay. This can be confusing for non-Spanish speakers, but just look for the two windows that say Uruguay customs.
7:15am: Arrive at the Ferry
7:55am: Boarding
8:15am: Departure
9:30am: Arrive in Uruguay
10:am: Walking Tour of Colonia del Sacramento
While we don’t often take group walking tours, we were excited that this was part of our ticket. We hadn’t been told much about the history of the town, so the Colonia Express tour was just what we needed!
The guide took us through the main parts of town, explaining the architecture and European influence in both English and Spanish. You won’t spend much time in each place, as you’ll have plenty of hours to explore after the tour.
This is especially true if you’re on the evening boat back to Buenos Aires like we were.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Some of our favorite destinations around the world are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There are only 42 of them in South America, so it was amazing to see Colonia Del Sacramento on our short trip to Uruguay!
Some of our favorite UNESCO towns include Albania’s Butrint National Park, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and Hallstatt Austria. Also, be sure to check out the ancient city of Kotor Montenegro if you’re heading to Montenegro!
Colonia del Sacramento Museum Pass
The museum pass is a unique way to see the history of this one of a kind town. For only $2 USD, you get access to all the museums and exhibits in Colonia Del Sacramento.
What a bargain, right? There were 8 different museums at the time of our visit, and we spent all day weaving in and out of them.
The history which involved the Spanish and Portuguese colonial powers is quite interesting. Definitely take advantage of the Colonia del Sacramento Museum Pass on your day trip!
5 Tips for Your Day Trip to Uruguay
1. Hop on a bike to get around Colonia Del Sacramento. It’s such a fun way to see the area!
2. Not everywhere takes credit cards, but you sometimes will get a discount for using them instead of cash.
3. Like credit cards, takeaway food is another way to save money. We saw menu items up to half price off at some places.
4. Keep an eye out for old cars. These colorful classics are parked all over Colonia del Sacramento.
5. Try the Chivito at a grill or restaurant. We promise you won’t go home hungry after eating the national sandwich of Uruguay!
Ferry Back to Buenos Aires
Once you’ve conquered the Chivito sandwich and all the great history with your Colonia del Sacramento Museum Pass, it’s time to get back on the boat! Just like in the morning, make sure to get to the port at least an hour early.
We took the last boat back to Buenos Aires at night and it was completely packed. There was a huge line for customs, so we’re glad we showed up with enough time. Also, try to be the first off the boat if you’re taking a taxi from the port in Buenos Aires.
Have any questions on this article or want to share your own day trip to Uruguay from Buenos Aires? Let us know in the comments below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
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Yes we agree! We also can’t wait to go back to Argentina and Uruguay. Thanks for reading!
I love the city of Buenos Aires. It is a very beautiful city in the country. Thanks for your beautiful guide. I am planning to visit that country again.