Day trips from Montevideo
 

We will be in Montevideo for a few days and were wondering if it is possible to make a
day trip to either Colonia or Punte del Este. Is it too far to go? What would be the best way to do it - bus or hire a driver. We really don't want to rent a car.

If it's not feasible, then we will just stay in Montevideo. I'm figuring 2 full days is enough. From there we are going to Rio. Have already been to Buenos Aires and Iquazu.

Thanks for any help or ideas.

It is about two hours each way by car or bus to Colonia ( and I think about the same to Punta del Este. As I recall the bus was hot and cramped with no aircon! If it is just a day trip then a car and driver would be your best bet, although you won't need impending in Colonia as it is very walkable. I liked Colonia a lot but If you are only planning on 2 days in Montevideo I would just stay there as there is more than enough to keep you busy there.

I took the bus to Colonia and don't remember it being hot and cramped, but I was there in the spring. You should have enough time to see Colonia on a day trip, I think, although I spent a couple of nights. I didn't go to Punta del Este, not being a beach person.

I love Punta. It is less than 1 1/2 hr drive from Montevideo. There is so much to do. Besides the outdoor restaurants lining the harbor, great shopping, a casino and you can go out on a charter to an island sanctuary of 200,000 seals - you can even swim with them! There is a boardwalk around the peninsula with several beach "shack" restaurants and the strange Finger sculpture.

stilltraveling: Could you say more about the charter to the Island Sanctuary and the seals ? Is it seasonal ? Is it very expensive ? If you have a link, or more personal memories, that would be much appreciated. Gracias.

MarnieWDC: I live in Montevideo and we frequenty go to Punta de Este. I recommend more La Isla Gorriti which is spectacular on summer, at this precise time of the year? When are you travelling? La Isla de Lobos (the one with the seals) was quite smelly the time I went with my family, but if its what you want to see, here is a link of the ferry company that takes you there! http://www.calypso.com.uy
Good luck!

MarnieWDC, I am sorry to let you down, I've been off. If not too late:
you can go down to the harbor and find several charter boats. Not expensive, we paid about $60USD for two of us. I had read about the smell and the feces in the water. That can be dependent on the time of year or even the wind direction. When we went, no smell and I saw no feces.
It is a great experience!