sidetrip to Colonia: worth it?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SF, CA, US
Programs: AA Plat Pro, UA MM Gold, HHonors Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Plat, IHG Ambassador
Posts: 1,236
sidetrip to Colonia: worth it?
As part of my BA mini-vacation/mileage run, I was thinking about taking a trip on the ferry to Colonia del Sacramento. Is it worth the trip? Since I will only be there 3 days, I don't want to spend a whole day somewhere else, maybe a few hours at most. I'll admit that getting a Uruguayan stamp in my passport is a big reason I'm considering visiting.
#2
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SQL
Programs: SPG Platinum; Hyatt Platinum; UA 1K
Posts: 3,170
While I admit that I haven't done a day trip to Colonia yet, it seems to get mixed reviews. From what I have been able to gather, it makes for a pleasant relaxing day, but if you have any expectations about it being a great destination with some sort of wow factor beyond the passport stamp, you might be disappointed.
But if it was me and I was only going to be in BsAs for three days, I probably wouldn't waste one of them on the trip (unless I was pretty sure that I wasn't coming back anytime soon).
If you want to keep your options open, just plan to do a same day trip on the high speed ferry on your last full day. And don't buy your tickets until the day before in the unlikely event that you decide that you have seen all BsAs has to offer.
But if it was me and I was only going to be in BsAs for three days, I probably wouldn't waste one of them on the trip (unless I was pretty sure that I wasn't coming back anytime soon).
If you want to keep your options open, just plan to do a same day trip on the high speed ferry on your last full day. And don't buy your tickets until the day before in the unlikely event that you decide that you have seen all BsAs has to offer.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
Colonia was pleasant enough as a day trip, and quite picturesque. We were in BA for 11 days or so, the trip to Colonia was a nice relaxing break. I wouldn't call it spectacular or a must see, however -- it all depends on what you're looking for. If you do go, don't bother with a taxi -- it's an easy 10 minute walk from the ferry terminal.
#4
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL, NWA US, BA
Posts: 88
Colonia is fine, but nothing special, and if I only had 3 days in BA I wouldn't give one of them up just to see it. There is so much to do and see in BA you will want every second of your time there! I wish I had planned more time there when I was in Argentina in March!
#5
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS 100K, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat Amb, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 3,146
I echo the sentiments of the previous posters. I did a day trip to Colonia (in part for the bragging rights of having visited Uruguay), but I did it on my second long-weekend trip to Buenos Aires. You will have far too much to do in 3 days in BsAs to spend a third of that in Colonia.
#6
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: UA lifetime gold; Hilton Gold; Marriott/SPG Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,954
I am not clear if this is your first trip to BAires.
If it is, then don't waste you time with Colonia.
If you have been to BAires before, then a side trip to Colonia is not a bad idea. I would get the "first class" seat on the fast ferry and would not take a tour. You can walk into town, have a nice lunch and just chill out. Next time I go, I would rent a bicycle or a scooter in the port and then see the town.
I thought it was interesting, the architecture is different than BAires and you do get your passport stamped, not once but twice.
There is also a duty free shop on the ferry. Nothing special though.
If it is, then don't waste you time with Colonia.
If you have been to BAires before, then a side trip to Colonia is not a bad idea. I would get the "first class" seat on the fast ferry and would not take a tour. You can walk into town, have a nice lunch and just chill out. Next time I go, I would rent a bicycle or a scooter in the port and then see the town.
I thought it was interesting, the architecture is different than BAires and you do get your passport stamped, not once but twice.
There is also a duty free shop on the ferry. Nothing special though.
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,212
If you pick a nice day weather wise it certainly is worth going to see.If you are into photography there are some interesting sights to snap, we found it very relaxing walking about the historical part and stopping for a coffee.
#8
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, spg gold, hhdiamond
Posts: 1,594
it is an expensive ( by Argentine standards) high speed ferry , immigration etc,, and Uruguay is more expensive than argentina. There is nothing special there and quite boring. You can rent a minibike and ride around and then wonder why you did this trip.. "Bragging rights" what is there to brag about.
Stay in BsAs and have fun.
Stay in BsAs and have fun.
#9
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: 99654
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,450
Colonia was pleasant enough as a day trip, and quite picturesque. We were in BA for 11 days or so, the trip to Colonia was a nice relaxing break. I wouldn't call it spectacular or a must see, however -- it all depends on what you're looking for. If you do go, don't bother with a taxi -- it's an easy 10 minute walk from the ferry terminal.
a nice change of pace compared to BsAs and its pleasant. I did manage
to get a few good snaps from that place.
If I had to do it again, I think I would.
#11
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SQL
Programs: SPG Platinum; Hyatt Platinum; UA 1K
Posts: 3,170
#12
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: FLL & EZE
Programs: UAL Gold DL Silver Hilton GoldMarriott Gold
Posts: 917
Sam
#13
Original Member, Moderator: Hotel Deals and MilesBuzz
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 14,257
I thoroughly enjoyed my scenic side trip to Uruguay. Then again, I was in South America for over two weeks. Colonia is very scenic and ejoyable with a lighthouse to climb, cozy restuarants and shops along cobblestoned streets. The Sheraton resort just outside of Colonia was awesome. However, if you only have three days, I would stay in Buenos Aires.
#14
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, spg gold, hhdiamond
Posts: 1,594
I thoroughly enjoyed my scenic side trip to Uruguay. Then again, I was in South America for over two weeks. Colonia is very scenic and ejoyable with a lighthouse to climb, cozy restuarants and shops along cobblestoned streets. The Sheraton resort just outside of Colonia was awesome. However, if you only have three days, I would stay in Buenos Aires.
There is no way i understand anyone recommending especially to someone with only 3-4 days in BsAs that a day to Colonia is a good thing. Oh I forgot the stamp in passport thing.
I must be very strange as I only get stamps where they insist on stamping....
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,212
I detect a bit of BA's bias coming out here.
I wouldn't dream of advising someone who may never visit this part of the world again not to fit in a trip to Colonia even though they only have three days in BA.To be honest they could have three weeks in BA and not have enough time to take it all in so using one of their three days to sample another country is fair game in my book and won't make much difference to their memories of the city.
Personally, I would rather fly over to Montevideo for the day and get a truer sample of Uruguay life there.
I wouldn't dream of advising someone who may never visit this part of the world again not to fit in a trip to Colonia even though they only have three days in BA.To be honest they could have three weeks in BA and not have enough time to take it all in so using one of their three days to sample another country is fair game in my book and won't make much difference to their memories of the city.
Personally, I would rather fly over to Montevideo for the day and get a truer sample of Uruguay life there.