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How to Have a Fantastic Day Trip to Colonia, Uruguay from Buenos Aires

Hi all! Welcome to your guide for a day trip to Colonia, Uruguay!

Colonia is a Portuguese colonial town and UNESCO World Heritage Site that is easily accessible from Buenos Aires, Argentina . You’ll simply board a ferry in Buenos Aires, and in an hour and a half you’ll arrive in the lovely town of Colonia.

In this post you will find an itinerary and everything you need to know for an exciting day trip to Colonia.

Let’s get right into your guide for a day trip to Colonia, Uruguay!

Day Trip to Colonia – Travel Guide

Transportation from buenos aires.

From Buenos Aires, getting to Colonia is super easy.

First, purchase your ferry tickets here . This site is great as it allows you to compare ferry prices for different ferry companies. I booked the night before my trip, and round trip tickets were $70. If you book earlier these prices will likely be lower. I chose to take the Colonia Express Ferry, as their prices were the lowest and the departure times were the best for my schedule. They have ferries that depart Buenos Aires in the morning and return in the evening.

When booking your ferry tickets, I recommend planning to spend at least 5-6 hours exploring Colonia. It’s a good idea to leave Buenos Aires in the morning and return in the evening.

The Colonia Express ferries were very comfy and clean. Onboard you can exchange money and they also have a Duty Free style store! I found the store prices to be pretty expensive, but most of the products were imported from the U.S., so the up-charge makes sense.

Exchanging Money in Colonia

Colonia is more expensive than Buenos Aires, however, it is not overly expensive by any means.

Although you can exchange money in Colonia, it’s much easier to do it on the ferry. The exchange rate will be slightly less favorable, but it is a much easier process and you won’t have to spend time upon arrival searching for a place to exchange your money.

Alternatively, you can always get Uruguayan pesos from an ATM in Colonia, just be sure to notify your bank beforehand.

Tip: I don’t recommend exchanging a lot of money, especially if you’re only spending the day in Colonia. Most all places took credit cards, but it’s good to have cash just in case.

Eat – Restaurants in Colonia

Colonia is filled with tons of restaurants and cafes to choose from. Many are located on the water and offer beautiful views.

On the walk from the ferry terminal to the center of the old town you will come across tons of restaurants on the main street (Avenida General Flores), however, most all of these restaurants are extremely touristy and don’t have the best reviews. Instead of stopping at these restaurants, wait until you reach the old town (about ten minutes walking from the ferry terminal) and you will find tons of restaurants to choose from.

Due to the fact that Colonia is a tourist destination, these restaurants are targeted to tourists as well, however, unlike the restaurants on the main street many of the restaurants closer to the center of town don’t have pushy hosts and picture menus.

Colonia Restaurant Recommendations:

• Colonia Sandwich Coffee Shop – a great stop for a coffee and a quick snack
• La Beduina Deli & Café – a lovely spot for an afternoon sandwich and coffee
• Lentas Maravillas – a cafe with great coffee + food
• La Comandancia – a cute and funky restaurant for lunch or dinner with outdoor seating
• La Bodeguita – pizza with an amazing view of the water
• Chopería Mastra Colonia – a craft beer hangout with bar food

Activities – Fun Things to do in Colonia

Colonia is a small town, but there are plenty of activities and sites to see to fill up an afternoon or overnight trip.

Visit the Museums

There are eight museums in Colonia for tourists to visit and they’re a fantastic way to learn about the fascinating history of the city!

Start at the Museo del Período Histórico Portugués where you can pick up a map and pay the entrance fee of 50UYU ($1.30 USD).

This entrance fee will allow you access to all eight museums in the town – so it’s a great deal! Even if you only want to visit one or two of the museums, you can’t go wrong with buying the museum pass.

Climb El Faro

Located near the Museo del Período Histórico Portugués you’ll see El Faro, a lighthouse from the 1850s. You can climb to the top and from there you’ll have impressive views of the town and el Rio de la Plata.

Visit the Basílica del Santísimo Sacramento

This church is so beautiful inside and out! It’s definitely worth stopping by and taking a look around. We visited just before Christmas, and in the crypt of the church was the most incredible nativity scene I’ve ever seen!

Relax in the Plaza 25 De Agosto

After a long day of exploring Colonia, it’s nice to take a rest in one of the many parks. I recommend Plaza 25 de Agosto , as there is lots of shade and also benches to sit on. Bring a book and some snacks and spend some time here before walking back to the ferry terminal.

There are tons of other parks all around Colonia that are beautiful as well! Check out the parks next to the church and in front of La Vivienda Portuguesa Museum!

Do Some Shopping

Colonia has many touristy shops that are perfect for buying souvenirs. Spend some time exploring the many stores and checking out the local products!

I collect paintings from each destination I visit, and although there were not many stores that sold artwork in Colonia, I was able to find a beautiful painting, painted by a local artist.

In addition to buying souvenirs, I always love to go to local supermarkets and buy candy and treats that are specific to the country!

On your way back to the ferry terminal you’ll pass multiple supermarkets, so stop by, pick up some treats and spend the rest of your Uruguayan pesos before returning to Argentina.

Take Photos

This one sounds obvious, I know, but Colonia is really a photographer’s dream! There are so many beautiful streets, buildings and natural landscapes to photograph.

It’s also a great place to take Instagram photos! Colonia is bright and colorful, and such a fun place to take pictures.

Spend the Night

In addition to being a great place for a day trip, Colonia makes for a wonderful overnight getaway.

There are numerous lovely hotels in the town to stay in, and spending the night allows you more time to explore the area.

Hotel Recommendations:

• El Viajero Colonia Hostel & Suites ($)
• Hotel Italiano ($)
• Posada Plaza Mayor ($$)
• Posada Boutique Las Terrazas ($$)
• Don Antonio Posada ($$)
• Charco Hotel ($$$)

So there you have it! I hope this guide for a day trip to Colonia has been helpful to you! When visiting Buenos Aires , Colonia is an amazing addition to any itinerary.

It’s truly one of the most beautiful towns I’ve visited, and a day trip from Buenos Aires is a great way to visit Uruguay during your time in South America.

If you have any questions, or anything to add to this post, let me know in the comments!

Lastly, I appreciate you sharing this post with someone you know who would love Colonia, Uruguay!

This post includes affiliate links. Read our disclosure  here .

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15 comments.

Nice article

This is a nice read, Thank you Kate!

Kate, I love the conciseness of your articles. Straight and to the point while inviting at the same time! Thank you for sharing your experiences, Colonia is now on my list of places to see!

Kate, maybe you can add a country to your list and pull this out of under “Argentina”….

So pretty and great info! Would love to visit.

South America is high on my list. I never really had Uruguay on my list of places to try to see, but these pictures are stunning. Thank you for sharing!

I would love to visit Uruguay sometime! Your pictures definitely reminded me of my time in Colombia in the small colonial pueblos — such cute places! P.S. I loveeee pumpkin ravioli and get it anywhere I can! Yumm!

I have never visited any countries in South America. But I have added Argentina, Chile and now Uruguay to the list. Thanks!

I’m a total nerd, so I got super excited when I read that Colonia has eight museums to visit. I can’t believe that paying one fee will get you into all of them!

Uruguay looks like a great place to visit-the pumpkin ravioli looks delicious I need to try it at some point. The museum pass looks like a great deal-so much to see for such a great price. Thanks for sharing

Colonia looks like a beautiful day trip from Buenos Aires and it’s a great way to get a little taste of Uruguay. Thanks for sharing it, Argentina is high on my list so it’ll come in handy.

You had me at UNESCO World Heritage Site! This is definitely going on my list now, thanks for sharing!

That is the part of the world that I really wish to visit. Colonia seems like a lovely place to explore. Saving this for when I go!

What a great trip – in one day to visit another country and return! The streets of the town look very pretty!

Argentina is on my list and I’d love to do a day trip to visit Colonia! I agree, it looks like a gorgeous town to take photos in!

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Our Audley experience was extraordinary! From start to finish, our Audley specialist was attentive and catered to our specific requests. She was thorough, thoughtful, professional, and accessible. Every detail of our trip including transport, excursions, accommodations and itinerary was arranged and implemented flawlessly. This was our second trip with Audley and we are currently planning our next adventure. We worked together to customize our travel plans until we were totally satisfied with the pace, and price point that we were aiming for. Travel with confidence, book with Audley!

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Hi there Wendy, What wonderful feedback! Many, many thanks for taking the time to share. We're incredibly grateful to you for trusting us with your travel plans again. Your specialist Lydia and the rest of our team are deeply gratified to hear your experience this time was as great as the last. Take care, and we look forward to hearing from you when you are ready to plan your next adventure! Warmest regards, Audley Travel USA

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We have just returned from an eleven day trip to Egypt covering Lower and Upper Egypt including Abu Simbel and a five day Nile cruise. I had requested my country specialist for a couple of hotels we wanted to stay in, the Mena House in Cairo and the Old Cataract in Aswan. Excellent rooms were arranged in both these hotels as well as the Cecil in Alexandria (suggested by our country specialist), which turned out to be delightfully atmospheric. The Sonesta cruise ship was superb both in service, accommodation and food and lived up to its billing. The tour leader who was assigned to us was the very best and took care of all the admin throughout our stay. He was with us in Cairo and Alexandria and was always available on WhatsApp when we were up country. All the little details I had requested, like restaurant bookings for my wife’s birthday, were taken care of. In addition the local representatives arranged for all on the spot restaurant bookings and transfers. The Guides and the transportation throughout were of a very high order and little touches like the VIP service through immigration on arrival at Cairo were very thoughtful. We had planned this trip for the year before but had to defer it by a year at the last moment due to a medical emergency. Our Country Specialist arranged for the whole trip to be pushed a year ahead at no extra cost. This was out third trip with Audley and all have turned out to excellent. A special thanks to Jason, our Country Specialist, who was a fount of knowledge on Egypt, gave excellent advice telling us both what and what not to do and accommodating all of our special requests.

Date of experience : March 20, 2024

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Date of experience : March 26, 2024

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Date of experience : March 23, 2024

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Liz planned an outstanding tour through all of Egypt for us! The historic temples, tombs, and pyramids were an amazing history lesson. Liz’s knowledge, guidance, and experience were invaluable! Thank you!

Date of experience : February 09, 2024

Hi Elyse, Thank you for taking the time to share these kind words about your recent trip to Egypt. We are so happy to hear that Liz utilized her knowledge and experience to help you plan such an outstanding journey through history! We have already shared your feedback with Liz, and will make sure to share with our partners at Smithsonian Journeys, as well. We look forward to helping you plan your next grand adventure! Kind regards, Audley Travel USA

The planning for our trip was flawless

The planning for our trip was flawless. Drivers were always on time and uniformly helpful. Hotels were unique--not the usual chains--always lovely and well located. Guides were beyond amazing--knowledgable about history, architecture and art as well as warm and engaging. I can't say enough about Audley's travel services. This was our 6th trip with them and we are already planning another.

Date of experience : March 07, 2024

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Date of experience : March 16, 2024

Hi Keith, Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your feedback from your recent trip to Spain. We are so happy that Lucy was able to help you coordinate an amazing last-minute trip for you and your family! We will make sure to pass along your kind words to Lucy, as well as to her manager. We cannot wait to help you plan your next amazing journey! Kind regards, Audley Travel USA

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This was our first experience using a travel agent to plan a trip for us. It was a trip of a lifetime, and we are ready to do more. We went from Perth, Australia on the Indian Pacific Railway to Adelaide. From there we drove the Great Ocean Road through Port Campbell and down to Melbourne. We then flew to Sydney before returning home. Our highlights were Rottness Island, Winery Tour, Kangaroo Island, Grampians National Park, Pinnacle, Mackenzie Falls, Boroka Lookout, Phillip Island Wildlife Expedition (including the Penguin Parade), Lanes and Arcades Tour in Melbourne, and Sydney Harbour Long Lunch Cruise. Anthony was thorough in talking with us about what kinds of excursions and tours we were interested in doing on this trip. He was there to assist us before, during and after this trip.

Date of experience : February 16, 2024

Hi Connie, Thank you so much for taking the time to provide us with this wonderful feedback. We are so happy to hear that Anthony’s thoroughness helped him create a trip of a lifetime for you and your husband! It sounds like you had several incredible experiences while exploring Australia… if you had to choose, what would you say was your favorite excursion? We have already shared your incredibly kind words with Anthony and his manager, and will make sure to share your feedback with our partners in Australia, as well. We look forward to helping you plan your next big adventure! Warm regards, Audley Travel USA

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Jason Toms put together a wonderful trip for my husband and I. Everything went perfectly. Everyday was a highlight. If I could pick one it would be the houseboat in Alleppey. It was a fabulous experience and the food was superb. Overall, there was a nice assortment of different types of accommodations. Our drivers Nagandra and Unni were just wonderful. The pace of the trip worked well for us. It was a great way to see India, we were lucky to be traveling alone, more local people talked to us so that was extra special. You put together a perfect trip for us, Thank you so much!

Hi Melissa, Thank you so much for taking the time to share these kind words with us. We are so happy to hear that Jason helped you and your husband plan the perfect trip to India! We are so glad that your experience was extra special as a result of the interactions you were able to have with the locals. We have already shared your feedback with Jason and his management team, and will be passing along your kind words to our partners in India, so Nagandra and Unni know how much they impacted your trip. We look forward to helping you plan your next grand adventure! Best regards Audley Travel US

A dream trip

We have just returned from a phenomenal trip to southern Spain and Morocco , which we planned as a special adventure with our 13 year old grandson. We can't say enough about our specialist Corinne, who planned every detail to perfection, keeping our grandson in mind: the unique boutique hotels and riad, outstanding activities, hand picked guides, excellent restaurant recommendations, cultural hints, etc. We look forward to planning more trips with Audley!

Date of experience : March 13, 2024

Hi Don and Ricky, Thank you so much for taking the time to share these kind words about your recent trip to Spain and Morocco. We are so happy to hear that Corinne was able to help you plan such a phenomenal adventure for you and your grandson! We are positive that he will cherish those special memories his entire life. We have already shared your kind words with Corinne, and will make sure to pass along your praise to our partners in both Spain and Morocco who helped deliver your dream trip. We look forward to helping you plan more grand adventures in the future! Best wishes Audley Travel US

Once in a lifetime trip to Iceland

Audley travel organized a wonderful trip for my family of 7 to Iceland. We had fantastic, knowledgeable guides to help us get the most out of our experiences in this gorgeous country. We were basically taken care of every step of the way from arriving at the airport to being driven back. Our agent, Julia Mole was responsive to our requests and constructed the perfect trip for us. We really did have a once in a lifetime trip to Iceland including Northern Lights, Ice Cave, Lava tube, Highlands SuperJeep tour, black beaches, geysers, geothermic pools, many beautiful waterfalls, finding the elusive Arctic Fox ,and even seeing an erupting volcano (that we were able to get pictures of on our way back to the airport). We had a very happy group of travelers.

Hi Lynne, Thank you so much for taking the time to provide us with this wonderful feedback of your time in Iceland. We are so happy to hear that Julia was able to assist you in putting together the perfect trip for you and your family! Of all the amazing experiences that you had, we would love to know – was there one that stood-out above all of the rest? We have already shared your kind words with Julia, and will make sure to pass your feedback along to our partners in Iceland who helped deliver such a memorable trip! We look forward to helping you plan your next great adventure. Warmest regards, Audley Travel USA

Fantastic trip

My wife and I just returned from a fantastic trip to Agra and Rajasthan. Our trip creator, Jason Toms, put together an itinerary nicely balanced between urban and rural experiences. The rural sites allowed us to interact with locals in non commercial settings that weren’t possible in the urban settings. Throughout the process of creating the trip, taking it and upon our return, Jason listened, was very attentive and supportive, and was easily reachable. We can’t thank him enough for our very special trip. This was our second positive experience with an Audley planned trip. The local support and guides helped make the trip a pleasant experience. We look forward to working with Audley again.

Hi Chris, Thank you so much for taking the time to share this feedback. We are so happy that to hear that Jason was attentive and supportive during the planning process, and that he was able to create the perfect itinerary for you and your wife! We hope your second trip with us was as fantastic as your first! We have already shared your kind words with Jason and his manager, and will be passing your nice kind words along to our partners in India who helped make your time there so pleasant. We look forward to helping you plan your next big adventure! Best wishes, Audley Travel US

Audley is the BEST!

Audley was very detailed and helpful from beginning to end going above and beyond the call of duty. I truly appreciate this as it was my first time making such a huge travel.

Hi Kamille, Thank you so much for taking the time to share these kind words with us. We are so happy to hear that Thora was so helpful in making your first big trip a success! We have already shared your kind words with Thora and her manager. We look forward to helping you plan your next grand adventure! Kind regards, Audley Travel USA

We just returned from a trip to Spain…

We just returned from a trip to Spain through AudleyTravel. It was excellent our second booking with them. . I cannot recommend it more highly. I would never again use anyone else. We had two different agents because of the promotion of our first gal, Jay Drasich, who was great and then Maggie McCarthy took over. Maggie was friendly , easy to deal with, very professional. We were a special case because of a family medical situation. We had to cancel the first booking and reschedule it for a year later only to reverse it all over again. AudleyTravel, first Jay and then Maggie were all wonderful with this. They were so accommodating. The trip itself was wonderful. Every person , the drivers, the guides, the local contacts were first rate. Our guide Yolanda at the Prada gave a master class in art history. We learned so much and it made the whole experience more meaningful. That was true of all the tours we took. We loved the hotels , their locations, everything. This is the way we love to travel, independently, but beautifully supported in every way. As older travelers we didn’t have to get up early and take a bus with a lot of folks we might not have wanted to be with. We had our own itinerary, the things we wanted to do and see at our pace on our schedule. Maggie was with me every step of the way, planning, answering questions. She prepared me so well that when yet another medical situation came up I knew what to do and all went smoothly. This is a first class company with first class agents. With that kind of service you might think it is outrageously expensive but as I was referring Maggie to a friend she asked about cost and when I told her she said, wow that is very reasonable. I am just sorry I didn’t find AudleyTravel earlier. Our first trip with them to Hawaii was also fabulous. Thank you, AudleyTravel!

Date of experience : March 17, 2024

Hi Sherry, Thank you so much for your incredibly kind feedback. We are so happy to hear that both Jay and Maggie were wonderful to work with, and that Maggie was so accommodating when you needed to cancel and rebook your trip due to a medical concern. It sounds like you had an incredible experience full of incredible experiences! We have already shared your amazing praise with Jay, Maggie, and the members of our 24 hour emergency line that you spoke with while traveling, and will make sure to pass along to our partners in Spain. We cannot wait to help you plan your next grand adventure! Best wishes Audley Travel US

Travel in India with Confidence…

Just returned from a two-week trip to India -- Golden Triangle and a brief visit to self India. Overall the experience was first-class. To begin with, Audley’s US India tour manager was responsive and informative on all points both before and during travel. Audley’s pre-trip package is very complete and valuable to the traveler. Audley city office staff were consistently present at all key moves and hand-offs during the trip. The drivers provided a high level of confidence in difficult circumstances. The guides were well-informed and solicitous -- and able to calibrate the pace to fit our needs. The selection of hotels was excellent – both the new ones and the interesting “legacy properties -- and the prices were reasonable. Of course, standards of service would be considered “pampering” by US standards. Altogether, Audley provided a fantastic experience!

Hi Stephen, Thank you for sharing this fantastic feedback about your recent trip to India. We are so happy to hear that Cato was able to share his knowledge with you and help you create a first class experience! We have already shared your kind words with Cato, and will make sure to share with our partners in India. We look forward to helping you plan your next grand adventure! Warm regards, Audley Travel USA

Our Japan trip was to be a trip of a lifetime

Our Japan trip was to be a trip of a lifetime. Once we paid our full trip cost we heard nothing though Asha From Audley said we would talk more about details of trip three weeks out. Three weeks came and we get an email Asha had a wedding to go to and then she will be in Korea. Long story short run from this agency. Asha built us an itinerary for a 30 year old we are in our late 60’s and 80’s. It’s sad when a trip of a lifetime is ruined by greed!

Dear Jan, We are truly disheartened to learn about your experience. We are sorry to hear about the service you received from us - this is undoubtedly not the high standard we hold ourselves to. Rest assured, a member of our Client Experience Team will be reaching out to you as a matter of urgency. Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. We are committed to resolving this issue promptly and ensuring your concerns are heard. Best wishes, Audley Travel

Veronica at Audley created a seamless…

Veronica at Audley created a seamless and fascinating experience in Cambodia and Vietnam. The highlight was the interaction with local guides - not just their knowledge but their life stories, their personal warmth and concern. I want to particularly cite Nara in Siem Reap and Hau David in Hoi An. Nara cared for us as would have for his parents. Hau found services and restaurant tables we never could have found for ourselves. Each was always available and always a pleasure to be with. Like Veronica herself.

Date of experience : January 25, 2024

Hi Gary, Thank you so much for taking the time to share this kind and thoughtful feedback! We're thrilled to hear you had such positive experiences with our guides during your trip and have no doubt the feelings are mutual. As for Veronica, we can only wholeheartedly agree with you there-- she's a gem, and we'll make sure your review gets back to her. Take care, and we look forward to hearing from you when you are ready to plan your next adventure! Warmest regards, Audley Travel USA

Well organized

While we were not able to proceed with our trip as planned, I am thoroughly pleased with the assistance, communication and consideration provided to us by Caroline. She took the time and thoughtfulness in providing our prospective itinerary! Looking forward to future adventures with Audley Travel!

Hi Alexandra, Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback about your experience with planning your trip with Caroline. While you were unable to travel at this time, we are delighted to hear that Caroline was so thoughtful in putting together a prospective itinerary for you and your family! We have shared your kind words with Caroline and her manager. When you are ready to travel, we look forward to helping you plan your next big adventure! Warm regards, Audley Travel USA

Amazing experience with Audley

We worked with Laura C at Audley to plan our honeymoon and it turned out perfect! From the beginning of the process Laura helped us select the right country and cities for our dream safari and beach honeymoon. She took care of everything from hotels, car transfers and even made us a reservation at a local restaurant for our layover in Nairobi. They picked the perfect safari camp for us and we got to see the big 5! 10/10 experience and we can’t wait to book our next trip with Audley!

Date of experience : January 13, 2024

Hi Melissa, Thank you for taking the time to provide us with this amazing feedback. We are so happy to hear that Laura helped you select the best countries to make your honeymoon a dream come true! We will make sure to pass along this incredible feedback to Laura, as well as to our partners in Africa who assisted in making everything perfect for you! We cannot wait to help you plan your next big adventure. Best wishes, Audley Travel USA

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Compare Uruguay self-drive by Audley Travel vs Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil Discovery 2023 Classic Group by Insight Vacations

Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.

Day 1 : International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Montevideo.

Day 2 : Jose Ignacio

On arrival this morning you will be met and assisted with the collection of your hire car. You will then hit the road to head to Jose Ignacio.

Day 3 : Jose Ignacio

Exploring Jose Ignacio and the Atlantic coast at leisure with your hire car.

Day 4 : Jose Ignacio

Day 5 : Estancia El Charabon

You will drive further north into Rocha arriving into your estancia.

Day 6 : Estancia El Charabon

Activities or relaxation from your estancia.

Day 7 : Estancia El Charabon

Day 8 : Montevideo

You will drive back to the capital city today arriving into Montevideo and your stylish hotel in the trendy Pocitos neighbourhood.Enjoy the complimentary evening wine tastings in the hotel bar.

Day 9 : Montevideo

Your guide will meet you in the morning for a half day tour of Montevideo.

Day 10 : Carmelo

Back on the road today and you journey west to Uruguay's wine country.

Day 11 : Carmelo

Exploring the wineries in your hire car.

Day 12 : Colonia del Sacramento

A short drive south today as you journey to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Colonia del Sacramento.

Day 13 : Colonia del Sacramento

Exploring Colonia with your guide.

Day 14 : Colonia del Sacramento

Returning the car at Montevideo Airport you will take your night flight home.

Day 15 : International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.

Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires

Nicknamed the “Paris of South America”, this glamorous destination really does live up to its European counterpart. Neoclassical, Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings line its streets, attracting equally as sophisticated travelers. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your luxury hotel, the Alvear Icon. Located on the banks of the Río de la Plata in Puerto Madero, it’s a modern venue that offers panoramic views of the city.Relax and unwind before meeting your Travel Director and fellow guests for a  three-course Welcome Dinner with wine.

Day 2: Explore Buenos Aires Relaxed Start

Start your first full day in Buenos Aires with a city tour. Take in the capital's key sights including the Metropolitan Cathedral, Casa Rosada and Plaza de Mayo.Later, visit the historic Mercado San Telmo. Built in 1897, this indoor market is situated in the Tango District, in the heart of the San Telmo neighbourhood.Witness a private demonstration and performance by professional tango dancers at an authentic “conventillo” in La Boca, where you will be introduced to this passionate dance and upbeat music.In the evening, enjoy an authentic Asado Porteno (Argentinian barbecue) with a local chef.

Day 3: On to Colonia del Sacramento

Today you’ll travel by ferry across the Rio de la Plata, otherwise known as the River Plate.Visit the city of Colonia del Sacramento, with its charming cobbled streets and historic buildings. Now a UNESCO World heritage site, this colourful destination was originally founded by the Portuguese in the 1600s.Enjoy lunch with wine at a local olive farm, Viñedos y Olivares del Quintón, known for their characteristic terrain and thermal air, the perfect setting for vineyards and olive groves. In the afternoon, take a guided walking tour of the protected old city and its 16th century buildings. It is your third and final night in Bueno Aires, so why not head out into the city to watch a tango performance or ask your Travel Director where is best to enjoy a relaxing dinner?

Day 4: Buenos Aires to Mendoza

It’s time to head to the wine country of Argentina, the city of Mendoza. Board your flight to this bustling location. From the Art Deco buildings that line its streets, to its quaint coffee shops and esteemed wineries, you’ll be taken to the heart of Argentinian culture.

Day 5: Flavour of Mendoza Relaxed Start

Today, choose to enjoy a leisurely three winery tour with Malbec tastings and lunch. Learn more about winemaking and take in the area's scenery while you indulge on the rich, dark, fruity flavours of the region's most famous beverage. Alternatively, choose to visit the Villavicencio Natural Reserve, located in the middle of the Andes. Join a Local Expert on a guided hike for exquisite views of the region and a picnic style lunch.Later, savour a delicious dinner with wine at Abrasado, an Argentinian steakhouse. Situated in Downtown Mendoza, you’ll be close to some of the city’s best wine bars, shops and restaurants. Why not end the evening with a nightcap?

Day 6: Mendoza to Iguassu Falls

With over 270 waterfalls, rare flora and fauna, and lush rainforest, your destination really is as impressive as the photos suggest. Meaning “big water” in the Guaraní language, the stunning falls land in both Argentina and Brazil. Stay on the Argentinian side of the National Park for two nights, at the luxurious Gran Melia hotel. With two outdoor pools, a modern spa and a stylish interior, you’ll be able to relax and rejuvenate in a fitting manner. Have a night at leisure as you take in your beautiful surroundings.

Day 7: Sightseeing at Iguassu Falls Relaxed Start

Take in breathtaking views of the jungle and falls, before heading out with a Local Expert to explore the Argentinian side of the park. Take an optional Gran Aventura boat ride to Devil’s Throat, the largest and perhaps most famous water cascade in the park. This u-shaped waterfall contains 14 falls in total and is more than 262 feet (80 metres) high. Your Highlight Dinner will be served at The Argentine Experience where you'll learn how to prepare your own wine based cocktail, and your own empanadas. Afterwords, savour an Argentinian picada and sample mate and Alfajores, Argentina's famous national sweet. To enhance your dining experience, your dishes will be complemented by Argentinian wines.

Day 8: The Brazilian Side

Wake up inside the National Park and enjoy breakfast with a tropical view at your hotel. Today you’ll take a guided visit to the Brazilian side of Iguassu Falls. While the walk around the Brazilian side is shorter, it's no less impressive. The falls are further away which allows you take in all of them at once with a unique vantage point. Your Local Expert will show you panoramic views of San Martin Island, before you head to the airport for your flight to Rio. Move on to the capital of samba and the home of iconic Copacabana Beach, famous for its stretch of golden sand. Your luxury hotel is situated on the beach itself. The rest of the evening will be at leisure. Either relax at your hotel or head out and explore the area’s local nightlife.

Day 9: Explore Rio de Janeiro

This morning, visit a local produce market and sample some of Brazil's unique fruits. Afterwards, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a local botanist for a special guided visit to Rio’s Botanical Garden, a preservation site for a rare collection of bromeliads and orchids, as well as old trees and exotic plants. Made up of museums, research and cultural centres, the park showcases over 6500 different species of plants, both local and foreign. Enjoy a Highlight Lunch with a classic caipirinha cocktail at Casa Camolese, a contemporary restaurant situated next to the garden. Conclude your day with a cable car ride up to Sugarloaf Mountain.

Day 10: Leisure time in Rio de Janeiro Relaxed Start

In the morning, take a tour of Tijuca Forest National Park, where you’ll find Mount Corcovado, home to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.Spend the afternoon at leisure. Why not soak up the sun on Copacabana Beach or ask your Travel Director for the best spot to grab a Brazilian coffee?In the evening, commemorate your holiday as you join your new friends for a memorable Celebration Dinner at a traditional Brazilian churrascaria, offering views of the Sugarloaf Mountain.

Day 11: Depart Rio de Janeiro

It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers as your trip comes to an end. Take our organised transfer to Rio de Janeiro-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport.

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