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Colonia del Sacramento Guide

Colonia del Sacramento Ferry Port

In the south-western of Uruguay, on the tip of a peninsula that points to the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires on the opposite bank of the River Plate, is the small city of Colonia del Sacramento. It’s a settlement with a rich and varied history. Founded in the 17th Century by Portuguese colonists, Colonia del Sacramento can boast to be one of the oldest cities in the entire country with the curving lanes of the historic quarter clashing brilliantly with the downtown grid of modern streets. The port in Colonia del Sacramento is found on the southern coast of the city, just to one side of Honda beach. Here two wide concrete piers stretch into the great River Plate to form an artificial oblong bay. The ferry terminal is a large, modern facility that sits between the piers, inside which can be found toilets, an ATM, a shop selling souvenirs and an open-plan waiting room. Travelling to and from the port is easy due to Colonia del Sacramento’s prime location in the densely populated south-western region of Uruguay. The Route 1 highway, found just a few minutes from the entrance to the port, covers over a hundred miles of the coast enroute to the capital of Montevideo. The bus terminal by the harbour is ideal for those looking to travel more locally, with routes heading into the city centre and along the beach-lined promenades. Currently two operators offer passenger services from the port. Both Buquebus and Colonia Express ferries sail the short journey west across the expanse of the River Plate, crossing the border into Argentina to Buenos Aries a number of times each day.