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What to See & Do in Colonia, Uruguay

Posted on January 5, 2022February 6, 2022 by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about Colonia, a UNESCO World Heritage City in Uruguay. It’s a great day trip from Buenos Aires or Montevideo and it’s well worth checking out. Before you visit Colonia Uruguay, read up on our travel tips and start planning!

Best Things to See in Colonia

Colonia Historic Center

Whether you take a bus from Montevideo or a ferry from Buenos Aires, you will be dropped off in the same area near the Old Town. Parts of the old wall are still there, and you can walk on top. The roads are still the old cobblestone streets and there’s a ton of beautiful Colonial buildings in the area. You can walk along the waterfront and check out the Basilica as well.

They actually rent golf carts that you can drive around, some of them decorated to look like old-fashioned cars. They are fun to see, fun to drive, and can help you get up some of the hills as you tour Old Town.

Colonia Museums

There are several small and interesting museums in the historic center of Colonia. A few that we enjoyed include:

  • The Portuguese Museum
  • The Azulejo Museum, with the blue Portuguese tiles
  • Museum for Indigenous People
  • Spanish Museum
  • Municipal Museum

Colonia Lighthouse

Of all the things to see in Colonia, the lighthouse is one of the most popular. It was built in the 1850s and is still standing today. You can even climb up it for a small fee* to see all of the surrounding areas. It’s a beautiful view and an interesting part of Colonia’s history.

*children are not allowed to climb the lighthouse for safety reasons

Tourism in Colonia

The tourism infrastructure in Colonia is great; they get a lot of international tourists on day trips, so it’s easy to get around and visit.  Colonia has a lot of hotels and posadas to choose from, but make sure you book far in advance if you are visiting during the busy seasons. Likewise, if you plan on taking the ferry from Buenos Aires, make sure you reserve that in advance as well.

Tips for Choosing your Vacation Accommodation

Uruguay is one of the safest countries in South America, so it really is safe to travel here. Use your usual travel smarts, but know that they do try to keep their tourists safe as tourism is a big part of the economy in Colonia. 

The official Uruguay Tourism website on Colonia click here

What to Eat (and Drink) in Colonia

There are plenty of bars and restaurants in Colonia as well, so you can definitely have a good time eating and drinking in Colonia. Some of our favorite things to eat in Colonia include:

  • Chivito, which is a Uruguay steak sandwich. Order Chivito al Plato for a low-carb version without the big bun.
  • Tannat is the local wine, so make sure you try it when you visit
  • Dulce de leche for dessert!

Don’t hesitate to ask for a menu in English; they are used to tourists, so most places have menus in several languages. (Not all of Uruguay is like this, but in Colonia, it’s pretty easy to find English speakers.)

Colonia is a very laid back town, so things don’t get started very early here. Dinner is often starting around 8 pm, and other meals are also eaten later than what we are used to.

Currency in Colonia Uruguay

The Uruguay peso is the official currency of the country. However, since there are so many tourists visiting from Buenos Aires, Brazil, and the United States, you can usually pay in several different currencies. The US dollar is the most prevalent foreign currency accepted in Colonia.

ATMs are widely available in Colonia; however, many are inside of banks, so they may only be open during bank hours. If you are running low on cash, make sure you swing by before the banks close, or you might have to wait until the next morning.

What to Buy in Colonia

If you are looking for local specialties to purchase in Colonia, there are a few things that make great souvenirs. Besides the Tannat wine, some other Colonia specialties include:

  • Leather goods
  • Wool products
  • Ceramics
  • Mate thermoses and gords

We have gotten some cool souvenirs in Colonia, so it’s not a bad idea to leave a little extra room in your suitcase for shopping!

Souvenir shopping tips: what not to buy!

Best Time to Visit Colonia

Remember, the seasons in Uruguay are the reverse of the United States. December, January, February, and March are the summer months here, while June, July, and August are the winter months. It can get chilly in June or July, so make sure you pack some layers if you visit during that time.

The weekends can be very busy with tourists from Buenos Aires, so book ahead if you are going on the weekend.

Getting to Colonia

If you are visiting Colonia from Montevideo, it is about a three-hour bus ride. When you purchase your ticket, make sure you look at the duration some bus rides are longer than others.

If you are visiting Colonia from Argentina, there are several ferries to bring you over. It’s usually quoted as a 50-minute ride, but by the time we exited our ferry, it was about a two-hour trip. You have to clear customs, so that takes additional time. There are faster ferries and slower ferries, so make sure you check and see which one you are signing up for. The ferries can be canceled if the weather is bad.

Buquebus Ferry website: www.buquebus.com

Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!

Colonia is a cool, safe city to visit for your first trip to Uruguay. Whether you spend a few days exploring this coastal city, or visit on a day trip from Buenos Aires or Montevideo, make sure you put this into your South America travel plans. You won’t regret it! Want more South America travel tips? Check out these other blog posts:

  • What to Know Before You Visit South America
  • The Best Places to Visit in South America
  • What to Know Before You Visit Buenos Aires
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