There are so many places known by this ancient Roman name, but for the purposes of this blog, we will be talking about Colonia Del Sacramento, the oldest city in Uruguay and a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site.
There are so many places known by this ancient Roman name, but for the purposes of this blog, we will be talking about Colonia Del Sacramento, the oldest city in Uruguay and a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site.
The city is located in Southwestern Uruguay, along Río de la Plata and overlooks the Argentine city - Buenos Aires. It is home to about 27,000 inhabitants and is renowned for its Old Town as well as textile industry.
Below are a couple of things you need to know about the city.
1. Climate - Colonia is characterized with sub-tropical climate that features warm summers and chilly winters. Since it is located on the southern hemisphere, the summers start at around December and ends around March.
2. Points of Interest - If you are going to the city as a tourist, you would be interested in points of interest such as City Gate and wooden drawbridge, 17th century convent of San Francisco, Casa de Nacarello, Portuguese Museum, Viceroy House and most importantly, the Old Town which is a World Heritage Site.
3. Getting Around - International tourists arrive to the city via Laguna de los Patos International Airport that is located 17 kilometers from the city. From there you can take a bus or Taxi to the city. It is also served by 3 ferries from the city of Buenos Aires in Argentina.
4. Book Early - This city is very popular with tourists and if you want to stay within the city's limited accommodation facilities, you will need to book as early as October for December accommodation. Those who are travelling from Buenos Aires need to have a Uruguayan visa to enter the city.
5. Photography - If you want to have a good memory of your tour to Colonia, you will need a good camera. The city is home to some of the best sites in South America. It is kind of idyllic place you find on postcards. Trust me; your photos are going to make your buddies back home jealous.
If you have never visited this ancient city, then it needs to be on top of your bucket list. It is one of those 'must visit' destinations that you must go before you are too old to travel.