Where to Stay in Colonia, Uruguay

Note: Affiliate links may be used in this post. I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you use my affiliate link to make a hotel booking. Full disclosure policy here.

Where to Stay in Colonia, Uruguay

This guide is all about where to stay in Colonia, Uruguay.

Colonia del Sacramento, often shortened to just Colonia, is a historic town located across the Río de La Plata from Buenos Aires, Argentina. The town is best known for its picturesque colonial center.

Being just one hour and 15 minutes from Buenos Aires by ferry, Colonia is a popular day trip destination. But it’s also a great place to spend the night before heading off to explore more of Uruguay.

Is it worth going to Colonia from Buenos Aires? Yes, it’s definitely worth visiting Colonia from Buenos Aires. It’s a great day trip or place to stop briefly before traveling elsewhere in Uruguay.

I loved the tree-lined, cobblestoned streets of Colonia and I was glad I stopped here before continuing on to Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo, because I got to see another side of the country. Colonia is packed with history and it’s not hard to see why it’s been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Best Places to Stay in Colonia

How many days do you need in Colonia, Uruguay? You really only need one day in Colonia. If you are coming on a day trip, you can arrive on a ferry in the morning and depart that same evening.

⏰ Short on time? This full-day tour from Buenos Aires is a great excursion to Colonia.

If you’re spending the night, you can arrive in the early afternoon and depart the next morning. I do recommend staying overnight so you can enjoy the magical ambiance of the town in the evening. But you really don’t need more than one night in Colonia because it is a fairly small place!

Uruguay is one of the most expensive countries in South America, so if you’re coming from Argentina, you might be taken aback by the higher prices you’ll find here, including accommodation prices. I’ve included a mix of luxury, mid-range, and cheap accommodations below, so there is an option for every budget.

Here are my top three picks for where to stay in Colonia, Uruguay:

Best luxury: Charco Hotel
Best mid-range: Posada Manuel Lobo
Best hostel: Viajero Colonia Hostel & Suites

And here’s a full breakdown of the best hotels in Colonia del Sacramento.

Tip: I use and recommend Booking.com for getting the best deal on hotels. If you book directly through a link on this page, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Stay to Wander!

Charco Hotel

Charco Hotel is one of the best places to stay in all of Colonia. This boutique luxury hotel is located in the historic heart of Colonia del Sacramento and has a very romantic atmosphere and stylish rooms.

Some rooms at this hotel have views over the river and some have private terraces. There’s an on-site restaurant and bar overlooking the river, and the hotel serves a delicious free breakfast in the morning.

View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor

Posada Plaza Mayor

Another one of the best luxury hotels in Colonia del Sacramento is Posada Plaza Mayor. This historic hotel is located in a colonial-style building in the heart of town and decorated with traditional style.

Many of the rooms at this hotel open directly into the serene, picturesque central courtyard, which includes a fountain and comfortable seating areas. Free breakfast is also provided during your stay.

View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor

Radisson Colonia Del Sacramento Hotel

If you’re looking for an upscale chain hotel to stay in while visiting Colonia, the Radisson Colonia Del Sacramento Hotel is a good option. This hotel is located a five-minute walk from the historic center of Colonia and it’s situated right on the river. It offers two swimming pools and a fitness center.

Many of the rooms at this hotel offer views of the river and some have private balconies. This is another hotel that offers a free breakfast in the mornings so you can fuel up for the day ahead.

View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor

Posada Manuel Lobo

If you’re looking for a great mid-range hotel in Colonia, look no further than Posada Manuel Lobo. This hotel is less expensive than the previous options on this list but offers great value for money.

This tasteful hotel offers warm, cozy guest rooms in a traditional colonial style. There’s also a shared lounge and a garden courtyard for guests to enjoy, and free breakfast is served every morning.

View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor

Don Antonio Posada

Another solid option if you’re looking for where to stay in Colonia is Don Antonio Posada. This is another mid-range hotel that is located right in the heart of historic Colonia, giving it a convenient location.

While the rooms at this hotel are a bit more on the dated side, Don Antonio Posada makes up for it with amenities like a swimming pool, a lovely outdoor terrace, and a free buffet breakfast.

View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor

Hotel La Mision

One of the best budget-friendly hotels in Colonia del Sacrament is Hotel La Mision. This colonial-style hotel features simple yet comfortable guest rooms with traditional stonework on the walls.

When staying at this hotel, you will be in the perfect location in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Colonia’s historic center. This is another hotel that offers free breakfast in the mornings.

View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor

Viajero Colonia Hostel & Suites

Finally, for budget travelers and backpackers, Viajero Colonia Hostel & Suites is the top-rated hostel in town. This hostel offers a mixture of affordable dorm rooms and private rooms. The private rooms (some with shared bathrooms, some with private bathrooms) are an especially good value!

This hostel is located just a few minutes away from Colonia’s historic center. There’s an on-site bar, a shared lounge, and a communal garden where events and activities are always happening.

View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor