← Buenos Aires Marathon·1 night

Colonia del Sacramento: A Night Across the River

A ferry across the river to a small Uruguayan town of cobbled streets and low houses, with one night to see it slowly after the marathon.

Duration1 night
TransitFerry across the Río de la Plata from Buenos Aires
DepartsBuenos Aires

After the Buenos Aires Marathon: Colonia del Sacramento

The Route: Buenos Aires (ferry terminal) → Colonia del Sacramento → overnight → Buenos Aires Logistics: Ferry across the Río de la Plata. Colonia Express and other operators run the crossing, so compare current timetables and fares. Bring your passport, and check entry requirements for your nationality. Marathon Month: September Duration: 1 night

Buenos Aires ferry terminal ──(ferry across the river)──> Colonia del Sacramento
                                                               │
                                                           overnight
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Buenos Aires ferry terminal <──(ferry)─────────────────────────┘

Colonia del Sacramento is a small town on the Uruguayan shore, and its historic quarter is listed by UNESCO. The crossing is short, the town is small enough to see on foot, and one night is enough. The difficulty is the ground: the old streets are cobbled, which suits sore legs less well than flat pavement.

September in Colonia: Spring is under way, with mild afternoons and cooler evenings. Expect temperatures close to those in Buenos Aires, with a breeze off the river. Pack a light jacket for the evening walk by the water.

Take the ferry in the morning and aim to arrive with the day ahead of you. Immigration formalities are handled at the terminals, so allow extra time at the Buenos Aires end and check the operator's advice on arriving early. Ferry operators set their own luggage rules, and the town is small enough that a bag can be wheeled to most hotels.

The historic quarter

The old town sits on a short peninsula, and a loop of its main streets takes an hour or two at a gentle pace. Surfaces are cobbled and uneven, so wear shoes with grip and take the slope slowly. A flatter alternative is the riverside road, which has a firmer surface and a view across the water.

Several small museums occupy old houses in the quarter. Opening hours are short and often change by season, so check before planning a visit. Climbing the lighthouse involves a narrow stair, so skip it if the legs are tired.

An evening on the river

Sunset over the river is a reason to stay the night. Walk the waterfront in the late afternoon, then choose a restaurant near the old quarter for dinner. Ask your hotel for a recommendation, because small places in the old town fill on weekends. Fish and grilled meat dominate menus, and a table with a view of the water suits the pace of the day.

Where to sleep

Staying inside the old quarter keeps walking to a minimum, though cobbles continue to the door. A hotel on the edge of the quarter, on firmer ground, may be easier for a runner with stiff legs. Ask whether the property has lift access or ground-floor rooms before booking.

Getting back

Take a ferry back the next morning or early afternoon, leaving a margin before any onward flight. Passport checks happen on both sides, so arrive at the terminal in good time. From the Buenos Aires terminal, a taxi reaches Palermo in the usual city traffic.