Colonia - Things To Do

[glasgowjohn]

Unless you are swimming in money, book on SeaCat instead of BusqueBus. The last few time I went to Colonia SeaCat was half the price and you go on the BusqueBus boat.

T/

You normally go on the Buquebus but sometimes they use their own boat called Flecha de Buenos Aires which is about the same size as the Colonia Express boat.

But as you say , it is quite inexpemsive

 

[glasgowjohn]

You can see the boat here

http://www.ferry-site.dk/smallship.php?id=8502248&lang=en

 

[garryl]

We went there in winter time, no one warner us, it was a huge disappointment => not much to do. But I did find the shop sales people to be a little more pleasant, they have the smiles that porteno do not possess. The place is really small and boring, we walked to other residential area counting hours waiting for the return boat. Finally run out of things to do, got a hotel room and took nap. Felt like a whole day was wasted, when there are so many more things I can do on the other side of the river.

 

[Redbeanz]

We went there in winter time, no one warner us, it was a huge disappointment => not much to do. But I did find the shop sales people to be a little more pleasant, they have the smiles that porteno do not possess. The place is really small and boring, we walked to other residential area counting hours waiting for the return boat. Finally run out of things to do, got a hotel room and took nap. Felt like a whole day was wasted, when there are so many more things I can do on the other side of the river.

That was our same experience -- walked all over and saw everything that was open, had lunch, walked some more, kept looking at our watches and wondering how time could be passing so slowly. Finally found the yacht club and enjoyed rooftop drinks at sunset.

 

[ajoknoblauch]

That was our same experience -- walked all over and saw everything that was open, had lunch, walked some more, kept looking at our watches and wondering how time could be passing so slowly. Finally found the yacht club and enjoyed rooftop drinks at sunset.

If you can't appreciate Colonia, you have zero appreciation of the continent's heritage.

 

[garryl]

Thats exactly what Colonia is for, to do nothing. Take a book, or a game, or something to relax. its to lay on a hammock, sleep, etc

Colonia s grace is to disconnect from a city of 15 million people....... in a city of 20 thousands.

Yes, if you live in BsAs. For people who have 10 days in BsAs total, taking 1/2 days to Colonia is a terrible use of your travel time.

 

[Rich One]

Unless you are swimming in money, book on SeaCat instead of BusqueBus. The last few time I went to Colonia SeaCat was half the price and you go on the BusqueBus boat.

T/

Si

Since the Forum audience changes will say it again....

You will travel on the BQB with the Seacat ticket if you book leaving 8:30 am or 12:30 and 16:45 returning. This depends on the season, time of year , Traffic, and holidays. If BQB has space there is no point in sending Both vessels.

HOWEVER now BQB has a 1/2 day in Colonia Cheaper...! leaving 12:30 returning 20:00 see web page http://buquebus.com/cache/HomeARG.html lower left side of the web page. $479 plus taxes ends up at $610. Same as Seacat??

 

[prettejohn]

Well we had a lovely two days in Colonia with our kids. Having read some of the negative feedback on this thread (no surprise there!) we went expecting very little. What we found was a lovely little historically interesting town which had some great little restaurants and plenty of places for the kids to explore. They spent most of one day slowly walking around the edge of the town exploring the rock pools and beaches. It was like going to a Cornish village in winter. We went to the aquarium which was very small but well presented and taught us a lot about the local species. I think that nowadays we expect everywhere to provide on tap entertainment for our kids but all they want to do is explore themselves. This is something we miss a lot in BA. Footpaths and clean rivers to paddle about in.
We stayed at the Raddison after getting a good deal on Despegar. Very good with inside pool and jacuzzi which kept the kids entertained as well. Also had a casino which we didn't visit!
Buquebus was one of these sealed in boats which didn't give the chance to explore on deck. More like being in an aeroplane which was disappointing. Only took an hour though.
The one recommendation I do have is the Calle de Suspiros which has a great little wine shop and picada restaurant. http://www.buensuspiro.com You can feel the colonial history in the walls seeping through. Don't forget it's a world heritage site founded in 1680. Not too many places you can appreciate this here.
On the whole go there and relax and enjoy some history away from the noise and pollution of BA.

 

[glasgowjohn]

Well we had a lovely two days in Colonia with our kids. Having read some of the negative feedback on this thread (no surprise there!) we went expecting very little. What we found was a lovely little historically interesting town which had some great little restaurants and plenty of places for the kids to explore. They spent most of one day slowly walking around the edge of the town exploring the rock pools and beaches. It was like going to a Cornish village in winter. We went to the aquarium which was very small but well presented and taught us a lot about the local species. I think that nowadays we expect everywhere to provide on tap entertainment for our kids but all they want to do is explore themselves. This is something we miss a lot in BA. Footpaths and clean rivers to paddle about in.
We stayed at the Raddison after getting a good deal on Despegar. Very good with inside pool and jacuzzi which kept the kids entertained as well. Also had a casino which we didn't visit!
Buquebus was one of these sealed in boats which didn't give the chance to explore on deck. More like being in an aeroplane which was disappointing. Only took an hour though.
The one recommendation I do have is the Calle de Suspiros which has a great little wine shop and picada restaurant. http://www.buensuspiro.com You can feel the colonial history in the walls seeping through. Don't forget it's a world heritage site founded in 1680. Not too many places you can appreciate this here.
On the whole go there and relax and enjoy some history away from the noise and pollution of BA.

John , if take the slow boat, a three hour sailing I think , you can get out on the top deck. Cheers, John

 

[glasgowjohn]

As Rich One points above , most of the Seacat sailings are on the Buquebus vessel.

Just recently , Seacat put the name of the vessel above the prices on their website.

The Seacat vessel in use at the moment is Flecha de Beunos Aires.

Normally it does the last service in both directions.

According to a Uruguayan friend , Seacat has to do one sailing a day on their own vessels to keep their licence.