9 hours
E-voucher
Multiple
Overview
Discover the colonial beauty of the coastal city of Colonia del Sacramento, located across from Buenos Aires along the Río de La Plata. Following hotel pickup, meet your guide aboard the coach and relax during the approximate 2.5-hour drive west from Montevideo.
Upon arrival, follow your guide on foot through Colonia’s narrow, cobblestone streets and admire the city's well-preserved colonial architecture — a mix of Portuguese and Spanish influences. Learn about this UNESCO World Heritage–listed historic district — Barrio Histórico — founded by the Portuguese in the late 17th century. Later disputed over by the Spanish, it was incorporated into Brazil in the early 1800s before becoming part of Uruguay.
Visit the former bullfighting arena, Real de San Carlos, which once held up to 10,000 spectators, and view the 19th-century Colonia del Sacramento Lighthouse, built atop the ruins of the San Francisco Covenant.
Your guide accompanies you to downtown Colonia and the Uruguay port. Enjoy free time for lunch (own expense) in this shopping and dining district before finishing tour Colonia tour at Fernando's Beach, which boasts splendid water views. Complete your day trip with the return drive to Montevideo and drop-off at your hotel.
Operated by
Top Private Tours
Ratings & Reviews
Average Rating
4.17
/ 5
35 traveller ratings
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Great Day Visit
Lee_H, May 2025
Very enjoyable day. Pick up at my hotel for the drive which took around 2 1/2 hours with a stop on the way. I was the only English speaker on the tour but the guide was excellent in making sure I was included in everything. Nice walking tour around the town and then allowed free time to explore further or go for lunch which I did at a very nice restaurant looking out to sea. Definitely recommend the tour. It's a full day and very much worth the price.
Day Trip to Colonia
Olivia H, Mar 2023
Pick up around 0800, leave Montevideo around 1000, arrive to Colonia around 11:30. Visit a small farm where you see the collections of the owner and his wife as well as try marmalades and cheeses from their farm. This is a good time to stretch your legs and go to the bathroom. Back on the bus around 12:00. Make a stop at the bull fighting amphitheater/athletic complex to take pictures. Next stop is the Colonia sign for your selfie and pictures. Then you stop at the main part of town. Spend about 4 hours in town - the lighthouse, old town, shopping, and food. (Make sure to bring wet wipes to use when you go to the bathroom. The bus goes away to the bus lot so if you don’t go in the bus bathroom, you’ll need to use the public restrooms in town.) Leave around 4:15pm. Ride back to Montevideo is about two hours then they drop everyone off at their hotels. I arrived to mine at 6:45pm and I was the first dropped off.
How not to do Colonia
JOHANNES_K, Feb 2020
Time spent traveling versus time spent at site is. Tour on site was done in three languages I felt neglected. Cheerleader was overworked what happened to translate everything into 3 languages. I would not recommend this trip to anyone. Please note this has nothing to do with the efforts of the guide. I think she work as hard as she possibly could but this was not set up for success because of the itinerary.
Long bus trip for a short tour.
Neil S, Nov 2019
The guide was lovely and tried her best, but the tour was too short for a six hour bus ride. A tour of the government buildings and/or the museums would make this tour more worthwhile.
Itinerary
Barrio Historico
The historic quarter of Colonia del Sacramento, founded in 1680, evokes old Lisbon with its Portuguese-influenced architecture and winding streets. The area, located in southwestern Uruguay on the Rio de la Plata, was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995.
3 hours
Experience
Highlights
Inclusions
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Day trip to Colonia del Sacramento
- Professional English-, Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking guide
Exclusions
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
Additional Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Guide Languages
English
Spanish
Cancellation Policy
A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.