Day Trips to Uruguay from Buenos Aires

A trip to Uruguay from Buenos Aires takes you to discover the beauty and charm of the neighbouring country. Generally , if you travel to Uruguay from Buenos Aires you will have to board a ferry or catamaran to cross the Rio de la Plata to Colonia de Sacramento, one of Uruguay's main tourist destinations.

In terms of travel time, a trip to Uruguay from Buenos Aires usually takes at least a day. But all in all, this tour is an exciting experience to get to know the rich Uruguayan culture and history, as well as some of the best things to see and do in Buenos Aires.

Escape the hustle and bustle and stress of the city to get to know the tranquil Uruguayan city of Colonia del Sacramento on this day tour of the city, departing from Buenos Aires. Your adventure will begin on a ferry that will take you across the La Plata River to Colonia del Sacramento.

Once there, you will be able to appreciate the beauty of its monuments and ancient and modern architecture. Moreover, as it is a historic town, it is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Your guide will help you explore its streets and tell you captivating stories that will take you back in time as you get to know the city. After the tour, you will have time for lunch and then you can continue to see the beauty of the city along the waterfront, with free time to visit local museums, pottery shops and jewellery stores.

Details of interest

• Price: around 200 euros per person.
• Duration: about 9 to 12 hours.
• Means of transport: by private car and ferry.

On this trip from Buenos Aires to Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, you will discover the beauty of this city for a full day, departing from Buenos Aires. The ferry ride will be leisurely and take around three hours to the other side of the Rio de la Plata. Along the way you'll be able to see incredible views of the city and the coastline.

After arriving at the port, your guide will tell you all about the history of Montevideo while giving you a one and a half hour sightseeing tour through the city. You will also have the opportunity to visit the main sights of the region such as the Solis Theatre, Independence Square and the statue of the military leader Jose Gervasio Artigas.

In the early evening, you will embark on the ferry ride back to Buenos Aires, where your guide will drop you off at your hotel or accommodation.

Interesting details

• Price: around 440 euros.
• Duration: about 16 hours to complete the trip.
• Means of transport: by private car, boat and on foot.

To book a tour from Buenos Aires to Uruguay you have different options available:

• Search for tour agencies that offer package tours to visit Uruguay: they usually include the ferry or plane, plus transfers between the airport and Buenos Aires and other places; they even include accommodation and entrance fees.
• Book private or customised tours for an even more exclusive experience.
• Plan and book every step on your own: you'll need to research flight, ferry and bus schedules and prices from Buenos Aires to Uruguay, as well as book hotels and attractions separately.

In the latter case, the best recommendation is always to plan ahead, especially during the high season, so that you avoid possible problems of availability and high prices. In that sense, it is also advisable to book your transfer to/from Buenos Aires Airport in advance.

The time it takes for a trip to Uruguay from Buenos Aires basically depends on the number of places you want to visit, the specific place you are going to reach (either Colonia or Montevideo) and also on the means of transport you use when travelling.

• A ferry ride from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento can take about an hour.
• If you prefer to continue on to Montevideo, a bus or taxi ride from Colonia to the capital can take a little over two hours.
• In caseyou want to visit the beach of Punta del Este, it would take you about an hour and a half from Montevideo to this place.

All in all, you should expect the trip to take about a full day, so signing up for an excursion from Buenos Aires is a good option to choose if you're visiting the city in plenty of time.

If you are wondering what kind of things you are going to see during this kind of tours to Uruguay from Buenos Aires, you have to know that part of what you are going to see will be a great variety of tourist and historical sites that are very popular and worth visiting at your leisure.

One of the most common activities when visiting Uruguay is to visit the Old City of Colonia del Sacramento, as well as the Basilica of the Blessed Sacrament.

If you travel to the capital of the country, Montevideo, you can't miss Plaza Independencia and the Old City. Also, if you are travelling to Buenos Aires for 5 days or more and you have enough time, I recommend you to visit the beach of Punta del Este, located approximately one hour from Montevideo.

• Plan ahead: research ferry, bus, plane and other transport schedules and prices to get you from Buenos Aires to Uruguay, as well as accommodation and tourist attractions.
• Explore the less touristy places: it's a way to get an immersive experience and get to know the local culture. But always try to do it with the company of a tour guide, so you don't miss any important details.
• Consider the weather and the time of the year you are going to travel: for this I recommend you to read a bit about the best time to visit Buenos Aires and also Uruguay, because sometimes the weather and the time of the year can affect the itinerary.
• Wearcomfortable shoes that allow you to explore, so you'll travel in total comfort, bearing in mind that you'll probably have to walk quite a bit in each place.
• Try the local Uruguayan food: Uruguay is known for its delicious food and wine.

The cost of a tour between Buenos Aires and Uruguay can vary depending on the type of transport and accommodation you choose, as well as the attractions you expect to see during your visit.

• Travelling by ferry to Colonia del Sacramento: this can cost around 40-60 euros per person, although these prices can vary according to the time of year and the company you choose.
• Travelling by bus from Buenos Aires to Montevideo: you will have to pay around 25 to 35 euros per person and the journey usually takes around 6 to 8 hours.
• Travelling by plane from Buenos Aires to Montevideo: flights can have an average price of around 100 to 150 euros per person. These prices can vary considerably depending on the airline you choose and the time of year you want to travel.

On the other hand, accommodation in Uruguay can cost approximately 30 to 70 euros per night. As for tourist attractions, some of them are free, while others can cost between 5 and 10 euros per person. In short, a guided tour between Buenos Aires and Uruguay can cost around 200 to 400 euros per person.

There are several towns and villages in Uruguay that you can visit during an excursion from Buenos Aires, but depending on your personal interests, the length of the trip and the itinerary proposed by the tour guide, these may vary.

In general, I would like to name a few places that you could visit during a guided experience to Uruguay.

Colonia del Sacramento

Colonia del Sacramento is a historic city located right on the coast of the Rio de la Plata, which borders Argentina.

This city is mainly known for its large number of Spanish and Portuguese colonialbuildings. Also within the city you will be able to visit incredible places such as the lighthouse and the naval museum.

I also recommend you to get lost in its cobbled streets, look at each of its houses and, of course, take countless pictures during your tour around the city.

Montevideo

Montevideo is the capital city of Uruguay. So, as you can imagine, it is the nerve centre of the city, as well as being considered an important cultural and artistic centre for the whole of South America.

One of the things you have to do is to visit Montevideo's Old City, which is the ideal place to stroll around and enjoy the region's colonial architecture.

I also recommend you to take a walk along the Rambla de Montevideo, which is a very nice seaside promenade where you will surely love to take wonderful pictures.

Punta del Este

Punta del Este is an internationally known beach located on the east coast of Uruguay. If there's one thing you can't miss when visiting this place, it's its lively nightlife.

Of course, you can't miss swimming in its waters and taking pictures next to the emblematic Fingers of Punta del Este, which you've surely seen before.

• Uruguay offers a wide variety of tourist experiences, from world-renowned beaches to historic cities and beautiful rural landscapes, making it a destination to suit all tastes.
• This country is located very close to Buenos Aires and its access is really easy. That is why it is one of the excursions you should include if you travel to Buenos Aires for 3 days or less.
• ** Uruguay' s history and culture is very rich**, thanks to its colonial cities that still preserve a lot of monuments and museums that will help you to have a clearer vision of the southern region.
• Uruguayan cuisine is world famous thanks to its focus on meat, wines and local produce.
• Uruguay is a relatively affordable tourist destination compared to other places in South America or the world.