Colonia del Sacramento travel guide

Air

Flights to Aeroparque, Buenos Aires, most days, generally quicker than hydrofoil. The airport is 17 km out of town along Route 1; for taxi to Colonia, buy ticket in building next to arrivals, US$2.

Road

Roadworks on Route 1 west of Montevideo may delay traffic. There are plenty of filling stations. If driving north to Paysandú and Salto, especially on Route 3, fill up with fuel and drinking water at every opportunity, stations are few and far between. From Colonia to Punta del Este by passing Montevideo: take Ruta 11 at Ecilda Paullier, passing through San José de Mayo, Santa Lucía and Canelones, joining the Interbalnearia at Km 46.

Bus

All leave from bus terminal between the ferry port and the petrol station (free luggage lockers, ATM, exchange, café and internet). To Montevideo, several services daily, 2¼-2¾ hrs, COT, T23121, Chadre and Turil, T25246, US$8. Turil to Col Valdense, US$2.50. Chadre to Conchillas, US$2. To Carmelo, 1½ hrs, Chadre and Berrutti, US$3.50. Chadre to Mercedes, US$9, Fray Bentos, US$10, Paysandú, US$14 and Salto, 8 hrs, US$20. Turil to Tacuarembó, US$17, Rivera, US$21, and Artigas, US$26. Nossar, T22934, to Durazno, US$9.

Ferry

Book in advance for all sailings in summer. A new port was due to open in 2009. To Buenos Aires: from 5 crossings daily, with Buquebus (T130), cars carried, fares and schedules given under Montevideo. Colonia Express, office at the port, T29677, www.colonia express.com, makes 2-3 crossings a day between Colonia and Buenos Aires (50 min) in fast boats (no vehicles carried) with bus connections to/from Montevideo, Punta del Este and Uruguayan towns: US$13-35 (much cheaper if bought in advance online).

Note

Passports must be stamped and Argentine departure tax paid even if only visiting Colonia for 1 day.

Taxi

Banks

Banks open afternoon only. Most museums and restaurants accept Argentine pesos or US$, but rarely euros. HSBC, De Portugal 183 (Barrio Histórico), Mon-Fri 1300- 1700. Cambio Dromer, Flores 350, T22070, Mon-Fri 0900-1200, 1300-2000, Sat 0900-1800, Sun 1000-1300. Cambio Colonia and Western Union, Av Flores 401, T25032.

Car hire

Some near the gates to the port: Punta Car, T22353, US$70 per day. Europcar and Thrifty, also at Flores 172, T22939, where there are bicycles (US$1.50 per hr), scooters (US$7 per hr) and golf buggies (US$15 per hr) for hire, recommended as traffic is slow and easy to navigate.

Consulates

Argentine Consulate and Cultural Centre, Flores 209, T22086, open weekdays 1300-1800.

Internet

Inside mall at Av Flores 285, US$0.60 per hr. Bus terminal, US$2.70 per hr.

Language classes

Area Ñ Spanish School, San José 140, T095-473837. Affordable, central.

Post offices

On main plaza.

Telephones