Wake up early and enjoy breakfast. Around 7AM you will be picked up at your hotel in Buenos Aires to be transferred to the Ferry Terminal. You should arrive 45 minutes before departure to complete your check-in and migration procedures.
After a 3 hour boat ride across the Rio de la Plata you will observe the dazzling coast of Uruguay and you will reach Montevideo, Uruguay's capital city.
After settling into your hotel you can head out for a tour of the city with a private guide.
Known for its collection of grand Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles, Montevideo features an array of important buildings and city squares, such as the Plaza Matriz and Constitution Square, where you'll find the Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral.
At Plaza Independencia, you can visit the Artigas Mausoleum, a monument to Uruguayan hero Jose Gervasio Artigas.
The tour continues to the Legislative Palace, the Prado neighborhood, and Punta Gorda.
Evening is at your leisure to explore Uruguay’s ardent night scene, and the different music styles of tango, candombe and murga combine to make for an unbeatable Latin experience.
Breakfast at your hotel.
Heading away from the bustling capital of Montevideo along Uruguay's southern coast, today you will visit the sophisticated beach resort of Punta del Este. A perfect destination for those looking to top up their tan, gaze at million-dollar yachts and maybe try their luck in one of the local 'Las Vegas style' casinos. It's a city well known for its fine white sand beaches and vibrant night life and is a favourite holiday spot for wealthy porteños from Buenos Aires.
Punta is actually a reference given to the several towns along this small peninsula, where the River Plate meets the Atlantic Ocean. Together they make up over 50km of coastline. The majority of the city's main hotels are on the calmer sea-side. As a general rule, the farther you get from the centre, the less populated the beaches become. Return to your hotel in Montevideo
Breakfast at your hotel.
Early transfer to Montevideo bus terminal where you will hop on a public bus to your next destination: Colonia del Sacramento (2 h 30 min drive)
Upon arrival, your guide will meet you to start the tour of Colonia del Sacramento's historic quarter, a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Founded in 1680 by Portugal as Colónia do Sacramento, the colony switched hands repeatedly over the next century and a half, between the Spanish—who settled on the opposite bank of the river at Buenos Aires—and later the Brazilians, until Colonia finally became a part of the independent Oriental Republic of Uruguay in 1828. The loveliest experience is to stroll through the small, cobbled streets.
You will stumble upon small hidden plazas, little parks, churches, cute restaurants and historic houses. Take your time exploring this beautiful little neighbourhood.
Restaurants can be found on every corner. Some of them have a dray parked outside…
Some restaurants are pretty formal, with fine decor in the best traditions of the early 20th century, while some boast truly authentic local influences and honours best reviews. You will have free time to have lunch where you prefer.
After lunch, you will visit the Port, downtown, the Ferrando Beach and the Trees Reserve, the lovely “Rambla” that stretches along the coast up to the famous Real de San Carlos where you will be able to admire the old “Plaza de Toros”, the "Hippodrome" and old harbour.
The old town is very tiny, so it won’t take a long time to decide you’ve seen it all. Still, it’s an adventure. The locals at Colonia seem to be obsessed with retro cars. You can see them everywhere. Whether it’s rusting on a side of the street, serving as a giant plant pot, or inviting customers into a restaurant, every car has its purpose.
As the sun goes down, take a walk by the river and enjoy the beautiful late-afternoon light falling on the town before you take the ferry back to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival in the big city, you will be transferred from the port to your hotel.
