Historic Quarter of Colonia del Sacramento
The old Portuguese-founded town centre on a small peninsula, a World Heritage site of cobbled lanes, low colonial houses, plazas and ruins beside the Río de la Plata.
Colonia del Sacramento
Cobbled streets and a lighthouse fill this UNESCO colonial town, which lies a brief ferry crossing from Buenos Aires.
Attractive locations
Colonia Lighthouse
A white lighthouse rising from the ruins of a convent in the old town. Visitors can climb to the top for views over the rooftops and the river.
Calle de los Suspiros
A short stone-paved street lined with low colonial houses, tiled walls and flowers, often described as the prettiest lane in the old town and a favourite spot for photos.
Basilica of the Holy Sacrament
The main church of the old town, one of the oldest in Uruguay, near the Plaza Mayor. Its whitewashed front and simple interior reflect the town's colonial past.
Portón de Campo (Town Gate)
The restored fortified gate of the old town, with thick stone walls and a drawbridge, marking the traditional entrance from the land side.
Real de San Carlos Bullring
The ruins of a large bull ring from the early 1900s, just outside town, once part of a seaside resort complex. Its worn arches stand in a quiet field by the shore.
Anchorena Park
A large estate of woods and open ground west of Colonia with a country residence for Uruguay's presidents. Parts of the grounds are open to visitors for walking and picnics.
Airports
Carrasco General Cesáreo L. Berisso International Airport MVD
It is about 171 km in a straight line from Colonia del Sacramento.
Aeroparque Jorge Newbery AEP
It is about 53 km in a straight line from Colonia del Sacramento.
Ezeiza International Airport - Ministro Pistarini EZE
It is about 74 km in a straight line from Colonia del Sacramento.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Uruguay page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan24.8 °C104 mm
- Feb24.1 °C121 mm
- Mar22.1 °C123 mm
- Apr18.8 °C98 mm
- May15.2 °C74 mm
- Jun12.2 °C54 mm
- Jul11.1 °C72 mm
- Aug12.5 °C71 mm
- Sep14.4 °C83 mm
- Oct17.4 °C109 mm
- Nov20.6 °C101 mm
- Dec23.1 °C94 mm
Driest months: Jun, Jul, Aug. Wettest months: Feb, Mar, Oct.
Costs
Prices here are about 66% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
911 for all emergencies.
ngo
Uruguayan Red Cross (Cruz Roja Uruguaya)
Helps with: National Red Cross society. It trains people in first aid, runs emergency response and disaster risk work, and has a service to help people who have lost contact with relatives reconnect.
Who qualifies: People in Uruguay needing its first aid, emergency response or family contact services.
Phone: +598 2480 1956
Email: cruzroja@cruzroja.org.uy
Address: 8 de Octubre 2990, Montevideo 11600
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Uruguay
Helps with: The UN migration agency, present in Uruguay since 1956. It supports migrants, displaced people, returnees and host communities, with work on migration management and crisis response.
Who qualifies: Migrants, displaced people and returnees in Uruguay. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +598 290 44064
Address: Edificio Plaza Mayor, Plaza Independencia 831, Oficina 508, Montevideo
local government
Emergency number 911 (police, ambulance and fire)
Helps with: Reaches police, ambulance and fire services. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 911