Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay: Why you should stay the night

This little port town, which we – like many other travellers – only really visited because the ferry to Buenos Aires was much cheaper from there than from Montevideo, Colonia del Sacramento is picturesque, with charming cobbled streets and views of Buenos Aires over the Rio Plata estuary.

Most see Colonia del Sacramento as a quick pitstop for an afternoon of UNESCO-protected sightseeing – it is entirely feasible to visit Colonia from Buenos Aires or from Montevideo as a day trip. However, after spending 3 days here, we can 100% see the merit of making a proper stay of it, and we aim to convince you to spend at least one night in Colonia.

In our view, the real magic of Uruguay’s oldest city only seems to breathe a sigh of relief once the last ferry departs, and the Barrio Histórico transforms into a silent, 17th-century movie set. This is exactly why you should stay the night, and experience Colonia del Sacramento without dodging wayward selfie sticks.

After you’ve finished this post on why you should ditch the day trip to stay the night in Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, don’t miss reading these posts next:

• Travel guide to Buenos Aires, Argentina
• If we only had 2 weeks: Uruguay itinerary
• Punta del Diablo, Uruguay’s laidback Atlantic paradise

Where to stay in Colonia del Sacramento

Our hostel pick: Hostel & Suites del Rio

Assuming you’re not in Colonia del Sacramento to party (and if you are, Viajero Colonia Hostel is for you), this budget dorm option is a lovely stay for some R&R. It doesn’t look much from the outside, but the inside is clean, fresh and well-maintained.

Out hotel pick: Posada Playa Mayor

Choosing the right Posada is key to enjoying the peace of the evening in Colonia! An absolute gem of traditional beauty, this STUNNING posada sits right in the heart of Barrio Histórico, and boasts features like original stone walls and a courtyard with a gorgeous fountain.

11 Top Things to Do in Colonia del Sacramento

1. Soak up the Barrio Histórico

Sure, there isn’t a huge amount to do in Colonia del Sacramento, but that’s ok! It’s a town less about activities and more about straight-up vibes. Not to be scoffed at is a simple stroll around the oldest part of the city, Barrio Histórico, dropping into a few coffee shops for a drink and cake. Casa Viera and Bohemia Bistro are frequently-recommended lunch options in the area; definitely get your hands on a chivito steak sandwich while you’re here.

The old town is a beautiful place to get lost in a world frozen in time, and to say your goodbyes to Uruguay if you’re about to head to the looming metropolis of Buenos Aires.

To learn about the history rather than just relax within it, a city walking tour is the best way to take in the old town (and it’ll tick off a few other places on this list of things to do in Colonia del Sacramento, too!).

2. Explore the many museums

A single ticket (sold at the Museo Municipal) gets you entry to several small specialised museums in Colonia del Sacramento.

Don’t miss the Portuguese Museum, which houses 18th-century furniture and maps that explain the violent tug-of-war between Spain and Portugal over this tiny peninsula. The huge number of the artefacts proves just how strategic this smuggler’s port once was.

3. Get the heebie-jeebies at Calle de los Suspiros

A spot not to miss in Colonia del Sacramento’s old town is the Calle de los Suspiros or ‘Street of Sighs’ which has many myths surrounding the origin of its name, from murdered lovers to prisoners on death row.

Fun fact: this is the most photographed street in Uruguay.

4. Lay foundations for your return trip at the Lighthouse

If you don’t mind climbing the 111 spiral staircase steps, take a walk up to the top of the 17the-century lighthouse (or Faro de Colonia del Sacramento) built into the San Francisco Convent. The panoramic views are awe-inspiring, and on a clear night, you can see the lights of Buenos Aires shimmering across the Río Plata.

In fact, legend has is that that whoever stares at the lighthouse for too long will one day return to Colonia del Sacramento, perhaps because they feel they have left something behind.

The lighthouse is open to climbing up 10am-12:30pm, and 2:30pm-6:30pm (this is a siesta-practicing town!).

5. Find your rhythm in Candombe

All around Uruguay, you’ll hear the intense beat of traditional candombe drums. Each candombe ensemble consists of three types of barrel-shaped drum: chico, repique, and piano. The rhythm has roots in the African slave population of the Rio Plata region, so it’s of high cultural significance in Colonia del Sacramento.

In this immersive cultural experience, you can learn about the origins of candombe, what it means for Uruguayans today, and how to play the drumming rhythms.

6. Find peace in the cemetery

Cemetario Municipal was lovely to walk around (and looks a bit like a holiday resort for dead people) but we felt a little awkward as we obviously stuck out as tourists.

If you’re looking for a peaceful place around Colonia, there are luckily plenty! Wile an hour away at the edge of the pier, or on one of Colonia del Sacramento’s beaches (more on that further down in this list of things to do in Colonia!).

7. Learn how to make Uruguayan mate

It’s hard to miss the fact that most Uruguayos carry their yerba mate flasks around like American teenagers carry their Stanley Cups. It’s a constant part of their day, and comes with special rituals for brewing, drinking and sharing mate.

This traditional mate masterclass will get you in-the-know!

8. Relax at the beach(es)

Playa Ferrando’s white stretches of sand are the reason it’s known as one of the most beautiful of the beaches around Colonia del Sacramento. We also chilled out for a few hours at a beach bar on Playa Urbana de las Delicias, which was pretty cool, though the beach itself was not quite what we’d call paradise.

The best thing to do to see some of Colonia del Sacramento’s beaches is to again hire either a bicycle or a golf buggy to drive along the coastline.

9. Cycle La Rambla to the bullring

Rent a vintage bicycle or a golf cart from the centre of Colonia del Sacramento and use it to escape the cobblestones by heading north along La Rambla (the coastal road). Keep peddling until you reach the Plaza de los Toros, a beautifully restored 1910 bullring. Since its 2022 reopening, it’s become a cultural hub for concerts and tours, offering a glimpse into Uruguay’s early 20th-century opulence.

If you want to add a bit of hilarity to your cycle down La Rambla, jump onto one large bike with the Colonia del Sacramento group bike tour – it’s got cheese and beer!

10. Make the most of the sunset

Since you’re staying a night or two in Colonia del Sacramento, you get your pick of several options for watching the sunset:

• From the top of the lighthouse if sunset is before 6:30pm
• On an old town sunset myths & legends tour
• From a boat, on the Rio Plata estuary
• From the end of the pier

11. Enjoy the Uruguayan craft

Ok, so the real reason you should stay a night in Colonia del Sacramento? Being able to enjoy the craft beer brew-pubs after dark. These people are quiet masters of the cerveza.

La Chopería Colonia, La Vieja Pinta and Barbot Brew Pub (which surprisingly, has some English craft ales, too) are all worth a pint or two.

Craft beer isn’t Uruguayos’ only coveted export, though. They’re also expert connoisseurs of wine, and you can explore some of the many vineyards in the countryside around Colonia del Sacramento on your selection of wine (usually plus food!) tour:

Safety & money in Colonia del Sacramento

This is arguably the safest place in Uruguay, and therefore arguably the safest place in South America (keep up-to-date on the safest countries in Latin America here!). You don’t have to worry about watching your back on a late night stroll, nor fear any kind of violence, but obviously don’t let everything loose because humans are still humans, and even the nicest cities have some black sheep.

For money, use a foreign credit card for all accommodation and restaurant meals in Colonia del Sacramento. Under current 2026 regs, you receive an automatic 18-22% IVA (VAT) refund back to your card statement.

Also, do not try to pay with Argentine Pesos – the exchange rate offered by local shops is at beast predatory. Uruguayan Pesos or a travel card (Revolut/Charles Schwaab) will give y0u the best rates & fees.

How to get the ferry from Colonia del Sacramento to Buenos Aires

To get the ferry to Buenos Aires from Colonia del Sacramento, book your tickets online – you can go to aggregators like directferries.com, but we’ve actually found it often cheaper to just book set tickets from GetYourGuide. There are two ferry operators to choose from:

• Buquebus is the gold standard for comfort
• Colonia Express is the budget-friendly favourite (fewer departure days a week)

Check on your ticket whether you need to go to the company’s check-in desk when you arrive at the port, Puerto Madero. Turn up at least 90 mins before your departure time – this is an international crossing, remember, so don’t treat it like a bus journey!

The ferry port is like an airport, run by people set out to make your life difficult (your first introduction into Porteño customer service). You’ll need to do regular airport scanner checks so make sure you comply with rules. You’ll also have to stand in long queues for passport control, watching all the people who sat at a control desk but decided not to work today.

If you have anything weird in your passport (Saudi Arabia visa for Andy, Russia and China for me), prepare for some light interrogation.

In the lounge, try and get in the queue early for your ferry, as you’ll want to ensure you have a good seat with space for your bags on the boat. Also, expect tens of people to just casually join the front of the line when the ferry is called. SO FRUSTRATING.

The ferry ride between Colonia del Sacramento and Buenos Aires is 1hr 15mins. Once you get to Argentina, use our guides to Buenos Aires and other Argentinian cities to help your travels.

So, that’s all for how to travel, where to stay and things to do in Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay. We hope we’ve managed to convince you that this isn’t just a day-trip from Buenos Aires or Montevideo, and it’s actually worth an overnight stay! If you don’t want to arrange travel, accommodation & things to do in Colonia del Sacramento yourself, you can book for multi-day trips to be organised for you:

• 2-day trip to Colonia del Sacramento from Buenos Aires, Argentina
• 3-day trip to Colonia del Sacramento AND Punta del Este from Montevideo, Uruguay

Recommended time to stay to enjoy all the things to do in Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay: 2 days

TLDR: Colonia del Sacramento Summary

Now that you’ve finished this post on why you should ditch the day trip to stay the night in Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, don’t miss reading these posts next:

• Travel guide to Buenos Aires, Argentina
• If we only had 2 weeks: Uruguay itinerary
• Montevideo, South America’s most chilled-out capital

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Last Updated on 27 March 2026 by Cuppa to Copa Travels