Day trip to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
I was over the moon when I found out that Uruguay is only a short ferry ride from Argentina. It's not a country on my to-go list, but since I've travelled all the way to Buenos Aires, I couldn't let the opportunity go by to make a day trip to Uruguay and add another pin to my travel map.
Colonia del Sacramento
After an hour or so ferry ride from Buenos Aires, I landed at Colonia del Sacramento and my fourth Latin American country after Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina. I followed the crowd as we got off the ferry, and went past a building that looked like a station. I think this used to be a train station, but I couldn't see any tracks.
Barrio Histórico
Colonia del Sacremento was founded by the Portugese in in the late 17th century, and today the historical quarter is designated as a UNESCO world heritage site. We walked through the old city gates at the San Miguel Bastion (top left below) into the historical quarter. Many of the old streets were lined with cobblestone, and the beautiful purple bougainvillea plants made this area a popular spot for IG posts. The Calle de los Suspiros (Street of Sigh) on the right is the most famous streets It looks straight out into the sea and when you're standing there with the old houses on both sides, it feels like you're transported back a few centuries ago.
Lighthouse and Convent of San Francisco Xavier
When you walk around Colonia, it's very easy to see the 19th century lighthouse. It's great to use that as a bearing in case you get lost. You can climb up the lighthouse and apparently you get very good views of the surrounding areas. Unfortunately it was closed during our stay. The ruins of the 17th convent sits at the foot of the lighthouse.
As I walked around the historical area, I saw this old map that dates back to 1762. It didn't look like 300 years old, I'm guessing it's a recent addition, but produced in the traditional Spanish/Portguse tile. Nice touch.
Lunch
We found a restaurant nearby the lighthouse for lunch. It had a nice lively vibe and it was chill sitting outdoors, but not under the sun, right next to the historical lighthouse. And of course, we ordered a local beer. It was ok, but nothing special. We always try the local beer when we travel, and it's not like Uruguay beer is readily available in the UK.
When we left, I saw they had a vintage car parked outside. I think it belonged to the restaurant and it had loads of stickers on it. I was gutted that I forgot to bring my Worldmappin stickers!!!! Vintage cars seems to be a thing here, and they definitely add to the vibe of the area.
Wedding
We wandered around a bit more after lunch and once we were out of the historical quarter, there was more of a post colonial vibe. We passed by a church somewhere and saw a newly wed couple coming out. There were lots of people outside taking photos but didn't enter the church premises. It seems like they're not invited to the wedding, so I'm guessing maybe the newly wed couple is someone famous in the area? And in keeping with the Colonia style, the getaway car is a vintage one as well.
I'm glad I made this trip to Colonia, adding another country to my worldmappin map. Snowpea certainly enjoyed the day out. Don't you think she blends in well 😊
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I hear that Uruguay has a similar climate to the South of France or Portugal with the four seasons, while being sunny. Sounds like paradise. I hope to visit one day. And, boy, the Portuguese sure did get around eh?
It was late spring early summer when we were there, a very nice time to visit. Not sure about the rest of the year.
I read the Portuguese got kicked out by the Spaniards afterwards, hence the Spanish and Portuguese influence in the town
Definitely looks like it was an old train station to me. What a charming little town!
It was a very nice add on to my Antarctica trip last year. Argentina was a nice bonus already, and then I managed a double bonus, hitting three new places in one trip
Nothing wrong with that!
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That was a very nice place a convent with the lighthouse and the purple flowers made it perfect. A little town but very beautiful.
It is in deed
Do they speak Spanish?
Good question.... Not that I could converse with them, but I guess so. Every country in Latam apart from Brazil does
Portugues is similar to spanish. You can understand it if you know spanish or other latin language. Not to talk, but to understand what's happening.
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Every street and every frame you capture have its own story, Specially I like the old cars which was decorated very greatly...
Those old cars are great as a decor to the town
Excelentes fotos. Se ve un lugar tranquilo y relajante para disfrutar en familia. Ojalá algún día pueda visitarlo.
Thanks for dropping by
Uruguay is on my list, too, ever since I saw "El lado oscuro del corazón". And then I learned about Pepe Mujica, and it felt even more like a place I need to see. Once Lily is studying, I might grab the chance to do a long trip through the rest of South America and see everything that I haven't yet. Well, some - it's too big to see it all :-D
South America hasn't been on my radar much, because it's so far away from us. But now I want to go to Ecuador and Iguaza Falls. Been reading and see quite a lot of both places since last year
A very cute town. And Snowpea looks to be enjoying life. I love the old cars too.
It was a nice day out, just to get a feel of another South American country
Uruguay is a very beautiful country and I love the Uruguayan team very much because of their football game, which is dear to me.
That's quite niche. What do you like about them?
Of course I like it.
Oh!! I love Colonia! You took amazing pictures!!
Thanks! You must be very familiar with it, being so near to yuy
You took some gorgeous photos! ❤️ I visited there a few years ago, it's a very picturesque place. I loved Snowpea's pose! 😃
Snowpea says thanks!! She can be a little poser sometimes
😄😂👏🏻
Wow, Uruguay! Of course you couldn't pass up the chance—it's a ferry ride just like the one we took a few days ago to Tabarca, but just like that, you ended up in another country. Uruguay is a destination that really appeals to me because of its famous barbecues!
What a clear, magnificent sky btw.
Latin American beers tend to be very light—it’s a climate thing; we like them mild, haha—but I find it really funny that the name is a girl’s name. Plus, the photo with the lighthouse in the background turned out spectacular.
OMG, the sticker! Hahaha, that old car really needs some blue stuck on it! I hope you remember to bring them on your next trips—keep them all ready by the front door so you don’t forget them!!
Snowpea looks gorgeous in the photo, just like every photo with those pink flowers—they really stand out! So pretty!🌸
Fortunately the ferry ride was a bit smoother than to Tabarca!! Leaving BA was a breeze at the ferry terminal and border, but it was so chaotic on the Uraguay side, we queued up for well over an hour. At least I got a Uraguay stamp on my passport, but sadly not for Argnetina, for some reason they said they don't stamp passports. It was odd....
I had some WMP stickers with me during the trip, but I left them in the Airbnb all the time even when I was in Buenos Aires, so that was a total failure during the trip. 😅