Day trip

From Buenos Aires: Colonia Ferry Tickets and Optional Tour

Day trip

From Buenos Aires: Colonia Ferry Tickets and Optional Tour

From US$ 86.25 per person

Hop aboard a premium 1-hour ferry cruise and spend the day at the beautiful city of Colonia del Sacramento. Discover this UNESCO world heritage site just across Río de la Plata from Buenos Aires.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 10 - 13 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
Spanish, English
Wheelchair accessible

Experience

Highlights
  • Cross Río de La Plata, South America's most important river, from Argentina to Uruguay
  • Visit the historic colonial town of Colonia del Sacramento, a UNESCO world heritage site
  • Enjoy the spectacular view of the sunset in Colonia del Sacramento
Full description

Enjoy a day trip to Colonia del Sacramento, the first site in Uruguay to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the city with a round-trip ferry ticket from Buenos Aires to Colonia city. Select from options that include a walking tour, a teahouse visit, and a winery tour.

Founded in 1680 by the Portuguese Manuel Lobo, the city went from Portuguese to Spanish rule several times until the Declaration of Independence in 1825. Discover how these events made the city a melting pot of architectural styles where Spanish and Portuguese-style buildings coexist. 

Walk down cobbled streets and enjoy the unique landscape with spectacular views of the Rio de la Plata. Experience the charming houses, cobbled streets, traditional lanterns, and magical sunsets of El Porton de Campo alongside the Street of Sighs and Faro.

If you choose the option that includes the walking tour, your guide will be waiting for you at the ferry station, ready to tell you all about the history of this incredible town. Return to Buenos Aires via the same ferry route at the end of your day trip.

Includes
  • Round-trip ferry ticket from Buenos Aires to Colonia city
  • Travel assistance insurance (required by the Uruguayan government)
  • Walking tour (depending on option selected)
  • Lunch (depending on option selected - celiac and vegetarian options available)
  • Teahouse visit (depending on option selected)
  • Winery tour (depending on option selected)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Tips

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Colonia Express Terminal, Av. Elvira Rawson de Dellepiane 155, Buenos Aires, Argentina The activity provider will send you the reservation number via email after booking; the tickets will be sent until 24 hours before the tour. Please present the confirmation number, printed or mobile, at Colonia Express Ferry station. You can use the auto check-in terminal or present it at the ticket office. This tour involves an international border crossing and customs, so make sure to arrive at the Ferry Station 1 hour and 30 minutes before the departure time. Once you arrive in Colonia and leave the migration zone, go to the counter for Colonia Express on your left and show the voucher for the guided tour to one of the employees.

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Important information

What to bring

  • Passport or ID card
  • Travel insurance

Know before you go

  • Your full name, passport number, date of birth and nationality are required to generate ferry tickets. Without this information the reservation cannot be confirmed
  • This tour goes to Uruguay so please bring your passport or travel document and make sure you're legally authorized to cross the border. Also, you must present travel assistance insurance in the migration zone (included)
  • Passengers cannot be replaced in reservations that are already confirmed by Colonia Express; tickets are non-transferable
  • You must arrive at the ferry station 1.5 hours before departure to check in at the port
  • The ferry is subject to weather conditions that may influence departure; the ferry is usually very punctual, but delays can happen
  • There are no booked seats at the ferry; check in early if you want to get a good seat by the window
  • Departures and arrivals from/to Buenos Aires vary depending on the date and option booked; please double-check the option description before booking
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4 /5

based on 219 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    3.6/5
  • Transportation
    4.3/5
  • Value for money
    4/5
  • Service
    4/5

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Star rating:

It's a nice trip but only do it if have nothing else you want to do anymore. It's a nice trip but we enjoyed Tigre better. The Village is nice and beautiful but there is not that much to do. Tip. We requested the company to return us at 16.30 instead of 19.30. That was a good choice, it gave us enough time to checkout Colonia and be back at a reasonable time as you will have to cross border patrol again.

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April 29, 2023

Took a Thursday trip and everything was on time. Arrived at check in in BA just over an hour before departure and hardly any queue. You then go to Argentina immigration and stand in another line for Uruguayan immigration. The tour with Lourdes was excellent- only just over an hour but informative. We added the lunch option which was good value as things are more expensive in Uruguay than Argentina. You do have to pay for drinks though. Returned back on 6pm and again, no line at check in. Just about the right amount of time in Colonia although we didn't go into any of the museums. Might need a bit longer if you need to do that. Highly recommend the trip for a day from Buenos Aires

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April 21, 2023

The trip was very pleasant. Tour guide was very knowledgeable and catered to both English and Spanish visitors well. Return ferry was unfortunately delayed for over 2 hours and because of immigration, we couldn’t leave the port boarding area to try and look for good dinner options. Would still recommend this tour.

April 12, 2023

Product ID: 314607