We didn’t originally plan on a day trip to Uruguay From Buenos Aires, but 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. If you’ve been following us for awhile you know that we ALWAYS fall in love with UNESCO towns. So it’s only natural that we crossed countries by boat to find one! Travel with us as we go from Buenos Aires to Uruguay on the Colonia Express and spend the afternoon exploring this amazing place. Here’s all our tips, from where to get the Colonia del Sacramento Museum Pass to the must have meal in town.

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Why Only a Buenos Aires to Uruguay Day Trip?

Originally we wanted to spend two weeks exploring the country of Uruguay. Unfortunately, because of 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 fight to Iguazu Falls. That’s when we found the only deal: A round trip boat ride and Walking Tour with Colonia Express for 2,450 pesos which comes out to be about $40 dollars 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.

Travel 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 asked our hotel to help us with the booking.

Colonia Express and Customs

Our boat was scheduled for 8:15am and 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.

Travel 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 as well. If you don’t speak Spanish this can be confusing, 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

We’re don’t often do group walking tours, yet 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 walked 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! Below are some of the other lovable UNESCO towns and sites we’ve been to over the years.

Colonia del Sacramento Museum Pass

The museum pass is a unique way to explore 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 was 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 so there’s plenty to see. Definitely take advantage of the Colonia del Sacramento Museum Pass on your day trip!

5 Tips for Your Day Trip to Uruguay

Hop on a bike to get around Colonia Del Sacramento. It’s such a fun way to see the area! Not everywhere takes credit cards, but you sometimes will get a discount for using them instead of cash. Like credit cards, takeaway food is also another way to save money. We saw menu items up to half price off at some places! Keep an eye out for old cars. These colorful classics are parked all over the city. Try the Chivito at a grill or restaurant. We promise you won’t go home hungry after eating the national sandwich of Uruguay!

Catching the 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 especially if you are taking a cab from the port in Buenos Aires.

Have you been on a day trip to Uruguay from Buenos Aires? Let us know about your experience in the comments below!

Safe Travels,

Brigitte & Jake

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Where To Stay In Buenos Aires

Ultra Luxury (High End) – Alvear Palace Hotel- Leading Hotels of the World – This 5 Star hotel has large beautiful rooms set in a French style decor. Recoleta is an upscale area to base yourself in, and one of the many popular areas of the city. At the Alvear Palace you’ll also find a large indoor swimming pool with a spa and fitness center to enjoy.

Fun Vacation (Mid Range) – AQ Tailored Suites – AQ Tailored Suites is also set in the gorgeous Recoleta neighborhood! Here they offer large suites with balconies overlooking the Buenos Aires streets from above. In the warmer months make sure to take advantage of the outdoor swimming pool as well.

Travel Couple (Longterm Travel) – Selina Palermo – Selina Palermo is a mix of an upscale hostel with a unique co-working vibe. Rooms have fun decorations and this hotel is the perfect place to get some work done after exploring. Make sure not to miss the beautiful views of the city from the rooftop terrace!

Hostel Life (Budget) – America del Sur Hostel Buenos Aires – This popular hostel is located in the San Telmo district which is a great area to explore Buenos Aires from. The hostel has private and mixed dorms, and staff who are very helpful with tips on the city. The famous Sunday San Telmo Market is only 3 blocks away from here.

For more places to stay in Buenos Aires Argentina you can explore the latest prices here!

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