Chances are, your guidebook calls Colonia a day trip. And indeed, if you are on a trip with a time limit, you can do plenty here in a day before moving on to the next stop on your journey, and in fact might get restless…Read More

Chances are, your guidebook calls Colonia a day trip. And indeed, if you are on a trip with a time limit, you can do plenty here in a day before moving on to the next stop on your journey, and in fact might get restless with more time than that. For us, however, it was an escape from the chaos that is Buenos Aires, and we enjoyed every minute of those three days.

There are a lot of great restaurants in Colonia, so we focused much of our time around picking a place and enjoying our meals. Get away from busy Plaza Mayor and you'll find lots of other options. Try some Uruguayan wines, or medio y medio: half wine, half champagne. (Eh. It tasted fine, but it was sort of just a way to ruin a good wine and/or ruin a good champagne.)

Visit the crafts market! It´s a great place to buy gifts for everyone back home, and a lot of the stuff is similar to what you will find in the craft and souvenir stores, except cheaper. T-shirts, for example, were considerably cheaper at the market. There are so many stalls; you'll probably find something for yourself, too.

We spent one whole morning walking up the beach toward Plaza del Toro. This was when I got sunburned the first time, so watch out. The beaches are lovely, though, and really started to fill up by afternoon when we were on our way back. Aside from the old bullfighting stadium, there's not much up here except houses, but the beach walk was fantastic.

The mall is a short walk away from the old town; we went because we were hoping to catch a movie, but there were only four offerings, and no matinees -- just one, sometimes two, showings of each film per night. The mall is quite small, but it includes a grocery store where we got some fantastic strawberries and a plastic candy cane full of jelly beans.

Having grown accustomed to Buenos Aires, where it seems almost more likely to get hit by a car than not, we were pleasantly surprised to find that cars in Colonia actually stop for pedestrians, even when they have the green light!

We lucked out on finding a place to stay in a guest house. We had no reservations, and were turned away from two posadas before one owner called her friend, who has the guest house. The room was a bit cheaper than the two hotels we stopped by, and it included breakfast and a cool sitting room where we could have watched the sunset if it hadn't been so cloudy. Word to the wise: make reservations, just to be safe. Colonia is a popular weekend getaway. We noticed that on Sunday especially the streets were extra busy.

Brent and I are both people who love to visit new places, but we've already got a soft spot in our hearts for Colonia. I can't wait for the next three day weekend.
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Colonia has a great little deal where you can get a pass to four museums for 50 Uruguayan pesos. This is about US$2.50.Seems like great, cheap entertainment, and it is, but not all of these museums are created equal. History buffs beware. You can purchase…Read More

Colonia has a great little deal where you can get a pass to four museums for 50 Uruguayan pesos. This is about US$2.50.

Seems like great, cheap entertainment, and it is, but not all of these museums are created equal. History buffs beware.

You can purchase this pass at Museo Municipal, which, for the record, is worth visiting. You will get a stamp on the back of your ticket each time you visit a new museum. We used ours over the course of two days; I´m not sure if it's good for longer than that but you can ask if it's a concern for you. The museums are all pretty small; you'd have no trouble doing them all easily in one afternoon and still have time for ice cream.

There are seven museums to choose from (there were eight, but the Museo del Períodico Histórico Español is, unfortunately, closed). We visited Casa Nacarello, Museo del Períodico Histórico Portugués, Museo Municipal, and Museo Indígena (see individual reviews of each of these for more information). The other options include the Museo y Archivo Histórico Regional, Museo del Azulejo, and Museo Paleontológico Armando Calcaterra.

The museums are all open from 11:15am to 4:45 pm, at least while we were there in November. The desk workers at the museums are all so friendly and welcoming that it kind of makes me feel bad for making fun of Casa Nacarello (the sorriest excuse for a museum I've ever seen!).

You will get a brochure when you buy your ticket that gives you a little description of each museum. These explanations are written in Spanish, English, and Portuguese, but the information inside the museums themselves (at least the four we saw) are all in Spanish.

Have fun! We enjoyed this little diversion, and it was the perfect way to get out of the hot, hot midday sun.Close

Upon arriving at Colonia del Sacramento, I had realized that the guidebooks didn't offer much in terms of navigating around the town. I felt rather nervous when I exited the terminal - unsure of how to set foot towards the Historic Quarter. With some guessing…Read More

Upon arriving at Colonia del Sacramento, I had realized that the guidebooks didn't offer much in terms of navigating around the town. I felt rather nervous when I exited the terminal - unsure of how to set foot towards the Historic Quarter.

With some guessing and obtaining a map from the currency exchange place next door (which was not scaled properly), there was no need for me to worry. You can walk up one of the streets, passing by 18 de Julio, and making a left at Avenida de General Flores. (You have the option of making a left at 18 de Julio - but the street is very residential, and you may feel wary of where you're heading).

On Avda. Gral Flores, I was rather surprised that Colonia del Sacramento had a downtown. Guidebooks only speak of its Historic Quarter. Lining Avda Gral Flores are several small businesses that serve both residents and tourists with hostels and currency exchange centers - note that many established businesses will accept the Argentine peso. But, be cognizant of the Argentine to Uruguayan peso rate

Within 5 - 10 minutes of walking along Avda. Gral Flores, you will start noticing several rentals for golf carts and bicycles - a wonderful option for a pleasant day. Ahead, you will see el Rio Plata and the Historic Quarter. If you had opted to walk along 18 de Julio, you will arrive at Puerta de Campo, the gates of Colonia del Sacramento.

The Historic Quarter is a small expanse of cobbled streets, preserved buildings and Although small in size, it's big on charm. It is difficult to get lost - you will not miss the major sites. In both the downtown area and the Historic Quarter are restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops. However, there's a stronger draw to shopping in the Historic Quarter.

Of special note, you will know that you are not far from Buenos Aires: stray dogs are abound in the Historic Quarter, just as in Buenos Aires. Close

For those taking a day trip to Colonia del Sacramento, prepare for a short itinerary. Its small expanse and minimal attractions provide the visitor with a few things to do/see. Here are some recommendations if you are planning to take the trip and need to…Read More

For those taking a day trip to Colonia del Sacramento, prepare for a short itinerary. Its small expanse and minimal attractions provide the visitor with a few things to do/see. Here are some recommendations if you are planning to take the trip and need to kill time before your return trip:

1. Visit the 'major' sites of the historic quarter
Places cited in guidebooks include El Faro (the lighthouse - at time of visit, it was not open to visitors), La Plaza Mayor (if you've seen other cities' Plaza Mayor, you may accidentally miss this one!), Calle de los Suspiros (even though the Street of Sighs is merely one block long, the origin of its name is shrouded in mystery), Puerta de Campo (the fortified walls of the historic quarter - there are stairs that lead up to the top of the gate)

2. Purchase a museum pass
You can purchase a pass to visit 5 of the town's 8 museums. The pass will not break the bank. However, it's best to pay with Uruguayan pesos. Some museums include: Museo Casa de Nacarello (a representation of a typical Portuguese house), Museo de Azulejo (Tile Museum, which happened to be closed on Mondays), Museo Municipal, Museo Portugues, Museo Espanol, Museo Indigena. To pass the time, you should visit 5 museums that are open for that day. Due to the small size of each museum, as you can imagine, exhibits are also limited. Take your time with each exhibit and read through any available information that's associated with the artifact.

3. Eat the national dish
When my friend returned from Uruguay, she raved about the chivito - a thin steak sandwich, usually served with lettuce, tomato, cheese, mayonnaise and ham. I tried my mine at Mercosur, a restaurant located on Avenida Gral Flores. The chivito I ordered lacked much of the aforementioned items. I thought the sandwich was quite bland and the steak a bit chewy. Perhaps you can try chivitos from various restaurants/shops around town!

4. Rent a golf cart or bicycle
Weather permitting, it would probably be a fun idea to ride around town in either vehicle.

5. Visit the beaches
Based on recommendation #4, if the weather is cooperative, you can travel beyond the historic quarter and relax on the beach. Make sure to bring a book! Close

We visited here as a day trip from Montevideo. It’s an easy bus ride away. We were almost convinced to take a tour from our hotel for a cost of $65.00.Instead we caught the local bus and for us this turned out to be the…Read More

We visited here as a day trip from Montevideo. It’s an easy bus ride away. We were almost convinced to take a tour from our hotel for a cost of $65.00.Instead we caught the local bus and for us this turned out to be the best option.

The bus station in Montevideo is new and very modern...with many different bus companies offering travel all over Uruguay and beyond.
We bought our return ticket from Turel, departing at 10:00 and returning at 6PM. It's an easy 2.5 hour trip .

A short walk from the bus stop takes us into the Old Town. The area dates back to the 1600's and is a wonder and delight to explore.

By now it’s lunch time so we stopped at one of the several outdoor restaurants on Ave de Flores. Rightly or wrongly we decided to order the Special of the Day. This is an easy "Out" , when you can't read the menu. Chevitos de pan is a local favorite .It is a huge sandwich with steak, egg ,ham, cheese and bacon and a huge portion of fries. This is a dieters nightmare but tasty. At a cost of $9.00 it also came with a drink and a dessert!

Not sure why but there are lots of really great old cars around, kind of reminded me of Cuba.
We took a leisurely stroll stopping often for photos .The ancient old buildings ,often just ruins, begged us to stop for pictures.

Colonia is a joy to explore by foot. We follow cobbled stone streets to what was once a main town area of 1600's Colonia. The ancient stone houses, shaded by massive palms are a wonder to behold .We just couldn't get enough pictures!

We were on the lookout for the Street of Sighs. The oldest street in Colonia with the romantic name. It didn’t take us long to find it .This is a street with the original cobble stones with the drainage area to the sea down the middle and where soldiers walked to battle , leaving loved ones behind

Perhaps because we live near the ocean , we always head first to the coast.
The old wharf has long since disappeared but the current one offers nice views of the coast. There are lots of inviting restaurants along this area too.

We eventually come to the Lighthouse and the Ruins of San Francisic. The ruins are of an ancient convent that burned in the 1600's and the old Lighthouse dates back to 1704. Both are popular picture spots. The gates lead into the lower part of the Old City. Even though they look ancient they were actually rebuilt in 1968.

Plaza de Mayo-Dating back to the earliest times of the City ,this area was once used for military maneuvers. Later gardens were installed and today many come here simply to enjoy the area. There are some really colorful little shops around Plaza Mayo .They see lots of handicrafts and artwork . We are traveling so light we had to be content with just window shopping.



Our last stop before catching the bus is at the Basiliac of the Holy Sacrament -So beautiful and peaceful in its simplicity . This 200 year old church is a wonderful example of Portuguese design. The bell tower was restored in 1957.

Drugstore Bar and Restaurant

We stop at the Drugstore Bar and Restaurant, for a break, before heading to the bus. It's a cool artsy kind of place near the Basilica. They have live jazz music here in the evenings. We enjoyed the most delicious chocolate cake of all time!!













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Colonia food is very similar to what you find across the river in Buenos Aires. Beef is the most important feature of many menus but innovation and a sense of subtle flavour is sometimes lacking. If you are on a budget make lunch your main…Read More

Colonia food is very similar to what you find across the river in Buenos Aires. Beef is the most important feature of many menus but innovation and a sense of subtle flavour is sometimes lacking. If you are on a budget make lunch your main meal and take advantage of the lunch specials which are available. Many visitors only spend lunchtime in Colonia if they are on a day trip from Montevideo or Buenos Aires so restaurants cater for this trade and sometimes close at night.

Breakfast is usually served up until around 10am and lunch from noon to 3pm. Most restaurants don’t open for dinner until 7pm and locals come in later. Breakfast for most locals is tea or coffee and some bread, jam and butter with small sticky croissants called medialunas. Dulce de leche is often provided for spreading on toast or bread. This is a sticky substance made by boiling vanilla-flavoured milk and sugar until they almost disappear. The thick caramel is used to fill cakes and biscuits or is dolloped on other desserts.

Visitors often order a lomito or a chivito (both sandwiches) for lunch but locals regard these as snacks to have between meals. Other snacks are small hot dogs with meaty sausages, the tostado which is a toasted ham and cheese sandwich, or empanadas, those small pastries with a savoury filling. Lunch for locals is either a barbecue with plenty of meat or pasta or pizzas. In my experience the pasta fillings tend to be unexciting, the sauces not particularly memorable and the pasta itself often overcooked. Pizzas on the whole are quite good.

Desserts are popular in Colonia but the choice is limited. Flan, a kind of cream caramel, is popular and is often served with dulce de leche. You will also often find a syrupy version of bread pudding, fresh fruit salad with ice cream or pancakes again served with dulce de leche. Fizzy drinks are popular with people of all ages. In restaurants you will be asked if you want bottled mineral water, either still or gaseous. Coffee, tea and mate are readily available and beer or local wines are popular. You can often buy wine by the glass.

There are many restaurants geared to the tourist market in Colonia that serve essentially typical Uruguayan fare. What you'll find on the menus over and over again are beef; milanesas (breaded and fried beef, chicken or fish); pastas with either "tuco" (a tomato-based meat sauce), "Caruso" (cream sauce often with pancetta) or "rosa" (tomato and cream sauce). There is some variety, but the atmosphere more than anything else distinguishes the different restaurants.

The closer you are to a colonial building, the more expensive it will be. Most locals eat at spots along the main street, Avenida General Flores, away from the historic section of town. Food and drink prices seem to be higher than in Argentina and generally the quality is not as good as Buenos Aires so you could save a splurge until you cross the river.
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The Plaza de Armas is one of the more attractive places in Colonia and naturally it has attracted a number of restaurants. There is a row of them along one side of the Plaza. To compete, each has developed its own personality so most visitors…Read More

The Plaza de Armas is one of the more attractive places in Colonia and naturally it has attracted a number of restaurants. There is a row of them along one side of the Plaza. To compete, each has developed its own personality so most visitors will be able to find one which suits them. Here are three of them.

El Drugstore (Vasconcellos 179, Tel: 25 241)
The restaurant has a funky ambiance in keeping with the owners’ personality. Outside there are two antique cars which have been converted into dining spaces while inside it's filled with eclectic bits of artwork and other objects. The atmosphere seems to take precedence over the food for many diners here. Eating in one of the cars would undoubtedly appeal to many customers. People we ate with ordered a chivito and a lomito (both sandwiches) and they were pleased with their simple meals. Some of the more exotic dishes we tried were less successful. The portions, though, were huge, and I felt the restaurant was a relatively good value.

Viejo Barrio Restaurant and Bar (Vasconcellos 169, Tel: 25 399)
This place has a truly enjoyable ambiance and it certainly is different. The waiter has probably 100 hats and every few minutes he came to the quaint dining room area wearing a different hat. It became such an amusing experience that all the restaurant customers would wait to see the next hat rather than concentrating on their meals. While the hats are the attraction for many, the food is actually quite good. The pasta in particular is superb. It is homemade with a choice of anything from gnocchi with brown butter and sage, to tagliatelle, and ravioli. For dessert they have terrific flan, dulce de leche tart, or apple pudding, amongst other things.

Restaurant El Meson de la Plaza (Vasconcellos 153, Tel: 24 807)
Simple dishes made with good-quality ingredients have made this fairly formal traditional restaurant a favourite with visitors to Colonia and also with tour groups. Fortunately, there are a couple of different rooms so you may not have to share with a group. Steak dishes are a specialty here and we were told that they are generally good. The comprehensive wine list showcases Uruguayan vineyards which we had never heard of and are hard to sample anywhere outside of the country. There are both inside and outside tables that sit right on the peaceful Plaza. We didn’t eat here because we were looking for something a little more lay-back at that time but I am sure it would have been fine in different circumstances.
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Menu prices are rising in historic Colonia, and I don’t think they always represent good value. The best inexpensive meals can be found at the local restaurants outside the historic district where a chivito al pan, (the classic Uruguayo sandwich comprised of a thin steak,…Read More

Menu prices are rising in historic Colonia, and I don’t think they always represent good value. The best inexpensive meals can be found at the local restaurants outside the historic district where a chivito al pan, (the classic Uruguayo sandwich comprised of a thin steak, bacon, egg, cheese, tomato and lettuce), can be found for around US$5. Most visitors, however, will eat in the historic area so the following are some places with a good reputation. Note that most restaurants in Colonia seem to open and close on the whim of the proprietor so it pays to telephone before you go.

Restaurant La Florida (Florida 215, Tel: 93 036)
Here an antique-filled house has been transformed into a sophisticated restaurant. This is one of the most ambitious and upscale restaurants in Uruguay and certainly the best in Colonia. The space consists of several adjoining rooms decorated with antique and vintage memorabilia, all very charming and quaint. Each room has its own special character and just one or two tables. The menu features Continental cuisine with eclectic and personal touches by owner/chef Carlos. You can try mussels in a blue cheese-curry sauce or a tenderloin of beef that is actually cooked to your specification. Carlos has a home-made version of pate de foie gras and there is a variety of truly fresh fish seasoned and cooked perfectly. La Florida is located near the entry gateway to the old city on Calle Florida.

Pulpería de los Faroles (Misiones de los Tapies 101, Tel: 30 271)
There's nothing particularly special about the pastas and grilled fish this tavern-style restaurant does, but the 300-year-old stone house it's in is gorgeous. Outside tables on the Plaza Mayor are the perfect place for a coffee or drinks and nibbles.

Sacramento (Calle del Comercio and De la Playa, Tel: 29 245)
It's in the heart of the Barrio Histórico, but the chefs’ fresh take on local ingredients is very now and the decor is postmodern. The fish of the day comes in a cashew crust and chilli sauce, the juicy steak with potatoes and bacon, and the minty, garlicky lamb is served with fried polenta chips. Set on a quiet corner, the renovated old house is light and breezy during the day, and its modern, dark wooden tables are candlelit at night. There are a few outside tables when the weather is kind. Local wine is served by the glass.

El Torron (Av. Gral Flores 46)
This place is set in an old tower overlooking the water. The back deck makes for a cozy, intimate spot for a romantic dinner and is also good for cocktails at sunset. The portions of food were large but nothing to write home about in terms of taste. The server wasn't terribly friendly. Great place to just chill and enjoy the views of the river while having a beer. Food however, was disappointing.

Patrimonio ( de San Jose 111, Tel: 24 254)
This smart modern lounge bar and restaurant is new on the scene but has been an instant success and I see why. The bar is modern and dramatic while the restaurant area on the back deck is classy but casual with a lovely river view.

Restaurant dos Puertos (Santa Rita 40, Tel: 30 556)
This is a very attractive restaurant, located in an ancient house with iron bars on the windows, brick walls, and tables on the sidewalk. The sidewalk is a good place to enjoy lunch under an umbrella, watching the street life. They serve a complete parrillada with meat, kidney, chorizo, morcilla, potatoes, and sweet-potatoes large enough for two which can be washed down with a great Tannat (red wine). For dessert, try a flan with dulce de leche or dulce de leche pancakes.
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These hotels become attractive if you plan to stay for more than one night and want to enjoy some relaxation time with your sightseeing.Colony Park Plaza Unique Hotel (Rambla de las Americas Tel: 052-26280)This is a relatively new, well-decorated and attractive place with a difference.…Read More

These hotels become attractive if you plan to stay for more than one night and want to enjoy some relaxation time with your sightseeing.

Colony Park Plaza Unique Hotel (Rambla de las Americas Tel: 052-26280)
This is a relatively new, well-decorated and attractive place with a difference. The decoration style is hard to understand. There are beautiful art objects mixed with plastic flowers arrangements. The rooms were small, but atypical, which made it interesting. The walls in some instances seem thin because you can hear conversation from the adjoining room.

The hotel is set on the edge of town so there is space around you and the views are nice. The hotel provides bicycles to ride to town, or you could walk. The hotel has a car to transport guests to and from the port. Going into town for dinner may not be particularly attractive, however, because the streets are poorly lit and lonely. The hotel realises this and sometimes provides a social hour with free drinks in the evening. There is a cute bar with a piano player, a band in the dining room, and a full buffet of excellent food. There is a pay for service spa, with $30 massages.

Sheraton Colonia Golf and Spa Resort (Continuación de la Rambla de Las Américas, Phone: (052-29000)
The hotel is a ten minute drive from downtown Colonia and it’s about one kilometre to the city bus stop to get to the old town. Taxis to the city are expensive and not always readily available. You definitely need to rent a car if you're staying here and want to sightsee. A car costs about $50 per day and it will make the trip a lot more convenient.

The hotel site is attractive but a bit barren. The design of the hotel is mediocre, with some nice features, but without much inspiration. We found the decor very bland. The pools are lovely to look at, and are at varying temperatures. It offers golf and a sort of resort feel to it, although the ‘beach’ is a river-beach and not particularly attractive. The hotel is quite new, so the general state of maintenance is good.

The rooms are large, well presented and comfortable. They have all the usual facilities. There is a nice modern bathroom and toiletries are provided. The food was a disappointment. It is tired, uninspired, and really below standard in many cases. The dinner buffet was mediocre at best - plenty of bland, boring, average food. Food charges are very high even by hotel standards.

The spa looked nice but it was overpriced. It offers a fully equipped gym, an outdoor and indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi and massage room. The computers in the business centre are free for unlimited use. There were swamps of kids everywhere, lots of noise during breakfast, lunch, tea or dinner and of course at night. They have a kids' club, but it seems kids are allowed to check in and out at will.
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The Barrio Historico is the area of most interest to visitors so it makes sense to find accommodation in town. Fortunately there are a number of choices from luxury through to budget. The following are some suggestions in the upper end of the market.Radisson (Washington…Read More

The Barrio Historico is the area of most interest to visitors so it makes sense to find accommodation in town. Fortunately there are a number of choices from luxury through to budget. The following are some suggestions in the upper end of the market.
Radisson (Washington Barbot 283. Tel: 052-30460).
As expected, the Radisson is a very solid, comfortable choice close to the historic sites. It's not in the middle of the shopping and restaurant area so you do need to walk a bit - not long, but the street uphill is unlit at night and the sidewalk is very uneven from tree roots. The hotel is chic and very modern, the infinity pool is clean and attractive and it was great to relax in and watch the sunset after a long day of walking around Colonia. The whole pool deck is scenic overlooking the river.

The rooms are clean and amply sized with nice solid wood furniture but the furnishings are a bit outdated and generic. The top floor rooms have a nice view of the pool and the river from the balcony. Some other rooms have a sliding door to a tastefully decorated Mediterranean-style courtyard. There are also some street view rooms. All seem to be fitted out with a king bed or two twins, flat screen TV and large bathroom. From a safety point of view the room doors didn't offer either a peep hole or safety chain. There is a casino right next door to the hotel for those who need this distraction.

Posada Plaza Mayor (Calle del Comercio 111. Tel: 052-23193).
The Posada Plaza Mayor is a small inn housed in a landmark building, and is centered on a courtyard with a lovely fountain. It is situated right on the main plaza of town and there are several restaurants all literally within steps of the hotel. In addition to the central courtyard, there is a pleasant patio/backyard in the rear with comfy chairs and shade trees, for those seeking more peace and privacy.
All staff were very friendly and helpful, and the rooms are atmospheric but most are small and those on the road would be noisy. Most feature stonework and have high ceilings but we thought some smelt of mildew. The suite has a large sitting area, decent-sized bathroom and a big window that opens onto the street. Breakfast is in a river-view room on the second floor. It is a nice continental set-up, with pastries, croissants, fresh orange juice and coffee but there is a large sign forbidding you from taking any food out of the room. Very strange!

There is a guest internet terminal with a good connection. We thought the place had considerable charm but had reservations about the rooms and the price which seemed very high for what you got.

Posada del Virrey (Espana 217. Tel: 052-22223).
This elegant, historic place has a good location with lovely river views. The rooms are air-conditioned, have cable TV and some have Jacuzzis. The buffet breakfast is excellent and the room prices are not outrageous.
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