Colonia de Sacramento, Uruguay
Old street lamps line light the streets by night, but during the day they are lit by the flashes of cameras

Colonia del Sacramento Uruguay: A Photo Essay

Brendan Van Son·
Photography

The world quaint might have been invented in Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay. In fact, the word quaint might not go far enough in describing this little colonial city snuggled up on the coast of the Rio Plata. If it weren’t for the swarms of tourists that roam the streets on weekends one might wonder if the town has become a ghost town.  Colonia is a very popular day trip from Buenos Aires, and it is easy to see why.  The town is very quite, very tame, and incredibly beautiful.  This little gem is as photogenic as a city comes as it is littered with old cars, funky street lights, and thickly painted walls.  This is my photo essay of some of the “old things” in Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay.

Colonia de Sacramento, Uruguay, bridge
Cross over the old bridge into the colonial city of Colonia del Sacramento
Colonia de Sacramento, Uruguay, car, old
Two men share a mate tea on the edge of the city’s walls: an old tradition
Colonia de Sacramento, Uruguay, church, car
A freshly buffed Volkswagen bug is backdropped by an old church
Colonia de Sacramento, Uruguay, house, car
I don’t think I’ve ever had to go out side to “weed” the old car.
Colonia de Sacramento, Uruguay, window, house, dog
An old dog lays in the sun protecting the streets form intruders, aka Argentineans!
Colonia de Sacramento, Uruguay, bench, rio la plata, river
A look out in to the sediment laden waters of the Rio Plata. Somewhere way out there is Buenos Aires.
Colonia de Sacramento, Uruguay, flag
An old street lamp sandst watch on the streets of Colonia.
Colonia de Sacramento, Uruguay, door, pink, old, colonial
Don’t you love the colour of this old wall?
This beer is old, well, it has been fermented.
Colonia de Sacramento, Uruguay, food, fish, eating
I really hope this fish wasn’t old. Regardless, it was pretty darn delicious.
Colonia de Sacramento, Uruguay, car, old, antique
Ok, that’s all for this post. I’m going to ride out of here in my old car.

How to Visit Colonia?

You can actually do a day trip from Buenos Aires, if you can believe it. There’s a ferry that heads across the Rio Plata and then you can hop the bus into Colonia. That being said, I’d recommend spending a night. When you do this as a day trip, it definitely feels rushed and you spend the better part of your day dealing with the ferries.

You can also visit on a short bus ride from Montevideo – if you’re based there.

Where to Stay in Colonia del Sacramento

If you’re planning on spending the night in Colonia, there are some options in town. The most obvious choice is the Hotel Royal which is right in the heart of town. If you’re going more luxury there is a Radisson Hotel in town too. On the budget side, there’s only one hostel in town I know of: El Viajero.