I was considering doing a day trip- looking at the sites for buquebus & colonia express & I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong- tix looked like they were at least 1000 AR for 1 person which seemed insane- I thought it was about 150 AR. (Also- we only want the high speed ferry) Do people book this very far in advance of through an agency/any better if you show up day of in person. We are flexible on dates through January 8th- but saw that you should go Thursday- Monday b/c otherwise things are closed.

Thanks,
Julie

I checked at Buquebus and the ticket round trip in the one hour boat is 218 AR if I am not mistaken.Call them and check. They also have organized one day tours.

Colonia, is a tiny little town not far from the port,it can be seen simply walking but I do not with the babies how it will fare since the streets in the old town
( where you want to visit) are coblestone.I would simply get a taxi by the hour or remise,
checking in advance, and go at my own pace. But it is important to get agood taxi in Montevideo the remised charged us 275 uruguayan pesos per hour some $14 dollars this should give you an idea of what to pay.
However a golf cart seems better :
Have a look at ://www.buenostours.com/colonia-del-sacramento-day-trip
this is what I read from a someone that was in Colonia from
Charley C.-Wisconsin Says:
November 12th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
When we got off the boat, we were greeted by several companies offering ATV/golf carts for $40/day. What a deal! Totally enjoyed the visit for the day with my wife and twin teens. The cart got us to the beach and so many other areas. Ya, if you’re a cheap a.., and just walk into the old town, you’ll be done in two hours. Maybe 4 hrs with a nice lunch. Do that, it’s like being in French or Spanish town on the Med, and simply wonderful. Take a climb up the lights house, but ride around a bit and enjoy! Don’t forget the new one hour time difference and miss your boat back like we (and many others) did! Thanks to your website posting or we wouldn’t have made a very nice day trip!

I wish to add that the taxis waiting in line outside the terminal of Buquebus in Buenos Aires are not reliable. I would recommend to have a remise waiting for you and to take you
to your hotel or apartment. Check with locals to find a solution, indeed do not take those taxis standing in line. Surely avrooster can give you a solution.
I do different things that are not feasable for you with the kids, like walking out of the terminal and getting a taxi in Calle Cordoba or nearby but I usually arrive early in the day and without babies or jumping into radio taxis bringing passangers but that is not that easy to do. Never, never take a taxi waiting in line at the terminal. So the third option I use is to have a remise waiting for me but to be double sure that the remise will indeed be waiting for you, you have to do it with a wellknow remise , again ask avrooster to help you out.

of course is you have a cell you can call a radio taxi which would be the best.

Thanks Graziella- so weird- maybe something was wrong w/the system- the prices were completely different today.

Good tip on the taxis- since we are walking distance to buquebus from our apartment - one less issue!

I will carry the baby in a carrier so he won't be a problem. We'd have my toddler in a stroller. It's been fine around BA- even w/the crazy sidewalks and tracks in the middle of the street here and cobblestone of Puerto Madero. Hopefully, it will be ok. I like the idea of a golf cart. My son would probably think that would be a lot of fun- if we get that adventurous. To just walk around town for a few hours- the city is pretty walkable right? Thanks!

We went to Colonia a few days ago by Boquebus, there's also a hydrofoil that goes from the cruiser dock. We booked the day before. I'd check on the weather conditions before booking, we had a four hour delay returning because high winds prevented the boat leaving the harbour.

Colonia is a pretty colonial town but there isn't a lot to see or do there. There are a cluster of small museums that are not especially interesting and then tourist shops and cafes. In retrospect I think a day trip to Montevideo would have been better. After the rain there were a lot of mosquitos so take insect repellant.

I second the suggestion of a golf cart. We rented a golf cart for one day during our stay in Colonia and had a great time. V. useful for getting around to see the sights although it is not too far to walk. It was also nice to get out to some of teh beaches 15 mins otside of town which we wouldn't otherwise have visited. (Not sure whether they will have child seats/restraints etc.). I would also suggest that you do try and visit during teh week as it does get very busy at weekends.

Thanks Susan & Crellston- I will give it some thought if it's worth the effort & we'll see how the weather is. It would be fun to go to the beach for a bit if it's nice. Will definitely aim for during the week.

Did you both just book online day before? Maybe they open up availability...

Hi julieod,

Can you let us know what you did end up doing and how it all worked? I love learning from other's experience. Like, I didn't know there was a beach over there until I just read this.

A link to our photos of Colonia:

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...7680/tpod.html

Fabulous photos Crellston. What time of year was that and where did you stay?

I definitely will report back. Will probably make an attempt later this week or next week.

Any good restaurants for lunch from those who have been there- maybe seafood. Nothing too fancy since my toddler will just be looking for ways to escape

We booked at the terminal the day before, there's a special person assigned to tourists. I would think you can phone also.

We had good tapas at a place called the Drugstore which was recommended by our guidebook.

seeksocean - we were there the last week in November 2008 and stayed at El Viajero B&B (as opposed to the hostel) Nice place in a good location - http://www.elviajerobb.com/.

Sorry, but I cant recall the names of any of the restaurants we frequented, but there are loads in the central , historic area, paticularly around the "Yacht Club buy the harbour. We didn't have a bad meal all the time we were there. I suggest you just head for one populated by locals (and children!!)

You can buy your tickets on the phone but there is a small charge like a couple of dollars per ticket if I recall right. If you do so, the tickets will be waiting for you I believe in the information counter. You pick up the envelope with the tickets and then you have to do the check in, upon check in they will give you a printed immigration card that you will submit to the immigration officers of both countries Uruguay and Argentina which are together. You will find them after they check your hand luggage . Then that is it, the ferries usually are big and they have a cafeteria and what they call a Free Shop. Where they sell similar items to those that are sold at airports. I do not think that prices are a great deal however chocolate and liquor seem to be in demand.
Same thing coming back, unless they have change last time in Uruguay I was charged a Port Fee when checking in Colonia . It is not much ( a few dollars)and can be paid in different currencies .
but it is an inconvenience because you must have handy some cash to pay.
I believe that the Argentineans also charge a Port Fee but it is included in the ticket again it is a very modest sum nothing to do with the fees charged at airports.
As creliston says you will have no problem looking for restaurants the Yacht Club is a nice place by the river. I believe that you can bargain with the artisan that are selling different items all over.Usually Uruguay has nice wool items.

Thank you so much Graziella5b.

That is just the kind of info we touristas need to know. Bring loose change! Bring passport.