While Argentina remains one of the most popular nations in South America for tourists, its nearby neighbor of Uruguay tends to fall under the radar. However, for those visiting Buenos Aires, the most popular city in Argentina, hopping over to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, for the day is an easy and quick trip where curious travelers would be remiss not to take advantage. Here are 10 reasons why a boat ride over to Uruguay is a great day trip from Argentina.
10 It's A Fast Ride
Taking a day trip from a city as vibrant as Buenos Aires can feel like a struggle. Who would want to leave such a colorful, fascinating city? The good news is, for those considering a day trip to Colonia del Sacramento, the ferry ride is very fast: only about an hour total on the boat. Two hours round-trip, and visitors will have added a new destination to their bucket list while still making it back in time for dinner in Buenos Aires.
9 It's A Fun Adventure
Who doesn't love a good, fun adventure when traveling the globe? From start to finish, taking a trip to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, from Buenos Aires, Argentina, is simply that: an adventure. From arriving at the port in Argentina to going through customs and being stamped out of Argentina to arriving at the dock and getting on the boat, to finally arriving in Uruguay and exploring the town, it makes for a thrilling day to make some great memories.
8 It's A Unique Experience
Day trips to nearby hikes, lakes, wineries, and historical sites are quite common, but a day trip to a new country? Now, that's something that's not heard of every day! Enjoy the unique experience of taking a day trip by country-hopping across the Rio de la Plata, or the body of water that separates parts of Argentina and Uruguay, and immerse in a very one-of-a-kind experience.
7 It's A New Way To See A New Country
How many people can say they've taken a ferry from one country to another? While those who have been on a cruise might be able to brag about this unique way of exploring, taking a ferry that comes with a new South American passport stamp is definitely one for the books. It's not something that can be done in the majority of spots around the world, so why not take advantage of the situation and convenience to try out a new form of transportation while country-hopping?
6 The Ferry Ride Is Awesome
Some might cringe at the idea of being put onto a large cargo ship to cross over to Uruguay, but the ferry itself is actually kind of awesome. Book tickets in advance through BuqueBus for the best service. There's a full-service snack bar serving alfajores, fresh juice, wine, beer, coffee, tea, and sandwiches. There's even a duty-free onboard! It's a double-decker, and the seats are fully cushioned and reclining, so if taking a nap is the way travelers choose to pass the hour-long boat ride, they'll have ample opportunity to do so.
5 It's A Great Escape From Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is a fantastic city with a lot to do, but it is indeed that: a city. It's bustling with energy; it can get quite crowded, its late-night culture can leave travelers feeling sleep-deprived (or like they're missing out if they choose not to go out late at night), to name a few. For those who need just a day of a quiet escape, Colonia del Sacramento is as perfect as it gets.
4 Learn About A New Country
Colonia del Sacramento might only be an hour from nearby Buenos Aires, but it is indeed a new country with a different set of traditions, history, cuisine, culture, and people. Uruguay has many reasons to visit, with many fun, quirky facts: there are more cows than people, the national dish is chivito (a sandwich that consists of churrasco, mozzarella, ham, tomatoes, mayonnaise, and black or green olives), they have one of the longest national anthems in the entire world, and it is the second-smallest nation in South America.
3 Colonia Del Sacramento Is Charming
Sometimes, travelers take day trips to places just to say they did it. While a day trip to an entirely new country is certainly a quick feat, the charming town of Colonia del Sacramento makes it entirely worth it. The streets are lined with colorful houses, different varietals of flowers, and colonial-style architecture that feels entirely different from the Parisian style of Buenos Aires. A visit to Colonia del Sacramento is a pleasure and a delight for travelers who choose to include it in their itinerary.
2 Colonia Del Sacramento Is Small
Not only is Uruguay a small country, but the quaint town of Colonia del Sacramento is also small, making it super easy to explore in just a single day. In fact, many travelers only spend a few hours here and feel they've gotten a good feel for this seaside oasis. The town consists of one historic district (barrio Historico), where day-trippers can roam the colorful cobblestone streets, eat a great Uruguayan meal, try some dulce de leche helado, sip a local Cerveza such as Patricia, smell some of the town's many flowers, all in just a few short hours.
1 Colonia Del Sacramento Is A Photographer's Paradise
For travelers who love to snap photos, there are fewer South American towns more picturesque than Colonia del Sacramento. Every corner has new colors, a new texture, a new set of flowers, and a new view. It'll be hard to even continue to walk for those with a camera in hand because they'll likely want to stop every few feet to snap a new angle of this incredibly picturesque town. Best of all, it's generally safe, so those who might not feel comfortable flashing a large camera in other South American cities, such as Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires, can leave that fear behind when visiting Colonia del Sacramento.