Rio de la Plata
Rio de la Plata
4.5
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4.5
2,159 reviews
Excellent
1,111
Very good
831
Average
185
Poor
22
Terrible
10
Ben F
Bloomington, IN1,818 contributions
Mar 2022
The Rio de la Plata not only astounds and captivates tourists today, it did the same to the Europeans who discovered it back so long ago, and since then it has been crucial to the transportation and economic needs of the region. From the ferry ride to Colonia to the strolls along the waterfront, I really enjoyed taking in the expansive views of this massive river. It’s impossible to miss or look away from when in Colonia.
If you can find a restaurant with views of the water or a hotel with rooms facing it, go and claim it. (See my review of the Radisson hotel for more on the latter!) Enjoy this beautiful natural feature!
If you can find a restaurant with views of the water or a hotel with rooms facing it, go and claim it. (See my review of the Radisson hotel for more on the latter!) Enjoy this beautiful natural feature!
Written 10 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jonahNJ
Pennington, NJ11,782 contributions
Feb 2020
During our visit to Colonia del Sacramento, it was impossible to escape the vastness of the Rio de la Plata. From the ferry ride from Buenos Aires to exploring the waterfront in Colonia del Sacramento, the river was expansive but calm. For the best views of the river and a nearby tiny island head over to the Mirador Panoramico. This terrace is free to visit and is a great place to really appreciate the vastness of the Rio de la Plata.
Written 12 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kanan A
Australia8,678 contributions
Jan 2012 • Couples
We live on this river in Colonia. Even after four years, it´s hard to get our head around that this virtual ocean is fresh water. It´s 65 klms wide where we live, between Colonia and Buenos Aires. The river has many moods. Sometimes it is choppy, even with big waves, and other times it is smooth as glass. There are white sand beaches with shells and quartz stones, and trees growing in the shallows. Dogs come to the shore to drink the water. It is a shallow river, and sometimes we see people walking in ankle deep water 100 mtrs or so out to sea. On a clear day we can make out the high rises of BA on the other side. There are no beaches on the Argentine side, only mud flats, so many people from Buenos Aires take the 50 minute ferry ride to visit our beautiful beaches in Colonia.
Some beaches do have rips, so caution is advised. Boats have also been known to disappear while crossing. Apparently sudden storms can cause monster waves´, and you can´t rely on the shoreline for navigation. During heavy rains in the Amazon, poisonous snakes are sometimes washed down the river from Brazil.
Some beaches do have rips, so caution is advised. Boats have also been known to disappear while crossing. Apparently sudden storms can cause monster waves´, and you can´t rely on the shoreline for navigation. During heavy rains in the Amazon, poisonous snakes are sometimes washed down the river from Brazil.
Written 17 January 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sofi NS
Athens, Greece22,988 contributions
Aug 2019
Rio de la Plata is formed by contributions of Parana and Uruguay rivers. It is forming an enormous delta before washes away into the Atlantic. Even though technically is a river and the water carry a lot of sedimentation from the mainland (hence the brownish color) it is is hard to view as such. For all practical purpose is a sea. You need one and a half hour to cross by ferry from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento. You can barely view the skyline of Buenos Aires from across the other shore. If you go from Montevideo to Buenos Aires is two and a half hours or more. The ferries are very comfortable and modern.
Written 10 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheMacallan1
Youngstown, OH90 contributions
Sept 2013 • Friends
Take a boat ride over from Buenos Aires, to chalk up a visit to the country of Uruguay. This little town is so neat with cool views of the ocean. Rent a "souped up" golf cart to cruise the city right at the port of arrival. At times you will be on stone side streets that give you the feel of being back in time. Don't forget to stop at a little burger stand "Los Farilitos", on the main tourist drag. it is open if the owner/operator cook is there, so try a couple times. His burgers have some crzy cool toppings so get it with everything.
Written 30 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve F
Buenos Aires, Argentina601 contributions
Jan 2014 • Couples
We were in Buenos Aires for three months: We lived in Palermo, San Telmo and have also worked in Retiro and Belgrano during this time. My point is that we have seen quite a lot of Buenos Aires and were in need of an escape from the concrete jungle that - in my personal opinion - has little to offer in terms of variety, cuisine, activities, and landmarks etc. especially for such a huge city. We checked Tripadvisor for all the attractions that may be of interest to us in Buenos Aires and visited them all within a week. We were very bored of Buenos Aires.
We paid Colonia Express AR$300 per ticket (including tax) to get to Colonia. The journey across the Rio de la Plata was a standard one that took an hour (29 miles). Colonia far exceeded my expectations. Unlike the labyrinth of Buenos Aires, it is a varied and small beach/port town with cobbled roads, lighthouses, boats, piers, beaches, etc. Colonia is the most European/Colonial place I've visited since visiting the south of France many years ago. I way pleasantly surprised at how beautiful it is.
You cannot fully appreciate the Rio de la Plata from Buenos Aires because BA doesn't have any beaches. Colonia however is very different. We stayed in a hostel very close to the port in Colonia del Sacramento. Here you can dine in restaurants, visit old ruins, and appreciate great sunsets all along the edge of the riverbank - which looks more like a coastline than a 'river bank'.
You can pay 34 UYU to catch a public bus to Real de San Carlos (less than one British pound). Here we found stunning beaches with warm water. The water was cloudy, but it is a fresh water river carrying silt and sediments, which is different from being 'dirty'.
Getting to the point; my advice is that if you want to fully appreciate the Rio de la Plata, head to Colonia for a mini beach holiday, but check the weather forecast if only going for just a few days.
Have a look at the photos for a better idea of what the place looks like.
We paid Colonia Express AR$300 per ticket (including tax) to get to Colonia. The journey across the Rio de la Plata was a standard one that took an hour (29 miles). Colonia far exceeded my expectations. Unlike the labyrinth of Buenos Aires, it is a varied and small beach/port town with cobbled roads, lighthouses, boats, piers, beaches, etc. Colonia is the most European/Colonial place I've visited since visiting the south of France many years ago. I way pleasantly surprised at how beautiful it is.
You cannot fully appreciate the Rio de la Plata from Buenos Aires because BA doesn't have any beaches. Colonia however is very different. We stayed in a hostel very close to the port in Colonia del Sacramento. Here you can dine in restaurants, visit old ruins, and appreciate great sunsets all along the edge of the riverbank - which looks more like a coastline than a 'river bank'.
You can pay 34 UYU to catch a public bus to Real de San Carlos (less than one British pound). Here we found stunning beaches with warm water. The water was cloudy, but it is a fresh water river carrying silt and sediments, which is different from being 'dirty'.
Getting to the point; my advice is that if you want to fully appreciate the Rio de la Plata, head to Colonia for a mini beach holiday, but check the weather forecast if only going for just a few days.
Have a look at the photos for a better idea of what the place looks like.
Written 7 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olibjani
Orange, CA10 contributions
Saw a nice selection of birds along the riverfront and the park that parallels the old railroad tracks between the boat terminal and the old lighthouse. Was able to do a little birding and see quite a few species.
Written 20 July 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruce
Melbourne, Australia148 contributions
Feb 2020
This place is very busy every night with sightseers watching the sun go down. You can also see Buenos Aires in the distance.
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
10richardv
Hunters Hill, Australia43 contributions
Mar 2016
The Rio de la Plata is a wide brown body of water without many outstanding features that make other great rivers such a joy to travel upon.
Written 30 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
k_wfrost
Cornwall, Canada148 contributions
Dec 2012 • Friends
The RIO DE LA PLATA is the result of the Rios Paraná and Uruguay uniting. The Rio de la Plata is a wide but not very long river. At Colonia del Sacramento it is 50 kms wide, with Buenos Aires, Argentina on the other side. Colonia is an historical, quaint, picturesque little place but what makes it extra special is the Rio de la Plata. Beaches are every where; the Club Yating (yacht club), Club Rowing, etc. This magnificent tidal river gives Colonia "life". Driving along "La Rambla" on a week-end is what everyone seems to do. People enjoying the beach, chatting and drinking "mate", the smell of wood-smoke in the air telling you that before long, the "asado" will be ready. And then the SUNSETS!! I don't know why but the sunsets in Colonia are nothing short of spectacular. I first became aware of this when I went to live in Colonia many years ago. Now, whenever I return to Colonia for a visit, I'm still awed by the sunsets. Add this to your "bucket list".
Written 11 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
qual o preço do estacionamento para deixar o carro em colonia de sacramento?
Written 15 November 2021
É possível alugar uma bicicleta para conhecer a cidade?
Written 26 September 2018
Bom eu sinceramente não observei , mais o que eu vi foi aluguel de quadriciclos. Mais acredito que deva ter, abraço
Written 27 September 2018
Qual o valor da diária (aproximadamente) para deixar o carro em Colônia?
Written 24 March 2017
Eu fui de ônibus de Montevideo. Mas a cidade é muito tranquila, tem vários locais para estacionar na rua. Você não terá problemas quanto a isso.
Written 28 March 2017
ppinheiro12
Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Estou tentando comprar passagens para atravessar o rio de la plata pela empresa Colonia Express.
Mas o site diz que não aceitam pagamentos feitos por usuários de outro país .
Alguém sabe me dizer se é necessário comprar as passagens in loco?
Written 10 January 2017
Olá, comprei pelo site do Buquebus uruguaio porque era mais barato que o argentino. Achei melhor, deu tudo certo e sincronizado.
Written 10 January 2017
Estaremos em Punta deleste... Existe outro meio de ir a Sacramento alem de carro?!
Obrigada
Written 5 July 2016
Eu fiz o trajeto de Punta até Colonia de ônibus intermunicipal. Tem a COT ou COPSA, vc compra a passagem na rodoviária em frente ao monumento dos Dedos em Punta. É bom comprar um dia antes. São ônibus de viagem e possuem wifi. Dá para comprar pelo site tb. São 4 horas de viagem.
Written 8 July 2016
Estaremos em Punta deleste... Existe outro meio de ir a Sacramento alem de carro?!
Obrigada
Written 5 July 2016
A melhor opção é ir para Tres cruces e pegar um ônibus para sacramento. Se informe qual o ônibus vai direto, pois os que não vão direto param numas 30 (rsrs) cidades e uma viagem que poderia durar umas três horas demora quase seis. Seria interessante pernoitar em Sacramento. Tem uns restaurantes interessantes na parte histórica para ir a noite. E se tiver oportunidade vá a Carmelo visitar as vinícolas. Carmelo fica depois de Sacramento. Tenha uma boa viagem
Written 8 July 2016
eduarda c
Santa Vitoria do Palmar, RS
tem estacionamento do terminal do colônia express para deixar o carro por 3 dias? é seguro?
Written 22 July 2015
Gostaria de saber se alguem ja deixou o carro em Colonia Del Sacramento enquanto foi a Buenos Aires, e se o local é seguro. Obrigada.
Written 11 December 2017
Moises Raulber G
Curitiba, PR
Bom dia gostaria de saber o valor para atravessar o rio de colônia para Buenos aires durante a semana ( provavelmente dia 20/02/2015) dois adultos e um carro pequeno Moises obrigado
Written 25 January 2015
Os preços variam, o ideal é entrar no site da Buque Bus e verificar. Esta é a melhor empresa, mas existem outras duas. Fui em agosto do ano passado e não levei carro, até porque o ingresso do ferry já inclui o tour de ônibus com guia pela cidade. No centro histórico, não podem transitar carros, por ser patrimônio da humanidade, então anda-se a pé e é pequeno.
Written 26 January 2015
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