Colonia Vacation Packages
Colonia, located in southwestern Uruguay, facing Buenos Aires, is the country’s oldest city. It serves as the capital of the Colonia Department and is renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage Listed historic quarter which should be visited on Uruguay vacations.
The city was originally established as Colônia de Sacramento by the Portuguese in 1680. Its strategic location in the Rio de la Plata region allowed the settlement to become a successful smuggling port resulting in control of Colonia being contested at various times between Spain and Portugal. The area was given the designation “Villa” (village) in 1809 before achieving the status of “Cuidad” (city). Between 1822-1828, Colonia was subject to Brazilian control before Uruguay gained independence. After independence, Colonia continued to expand in the north and the east but maintained its original historic centre, Barrio Histórico, as built by the Portuguese.
Today Colonia retains its status as a port city and is also a trading centre. The Barrio Histórico is popular amongst tourists on Uruguay vacations as the architecture found there are a unique blend of Portuguese, Spanish and postcolonial influences. The area has been very well preserved and the variety of buildings and styles is remarkable. UNESCO celebrated the rich historical heritage of Colonia’s central quarter, naming it a World Heritage Site in 1995.
Uruguay Travel Information
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Learn about the history and culture of Uruguay, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Uruguay's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips and our visa and health information will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Uruguay for yourself. Start exploring… book one of our Uruguay vacations today!
Extend Your Trip
After your Uruguay tours, why not consider another of Goway's Latin America tours? These include a large selection of other exciting countries in Central and South America. We offer Chile vacation packages and Easter Island tours, Ecuador vacation packages which include Galapagos cruises, Peru vacation packages which include Machu Picchu tours and Brazil tours including Iguassu Falls tours among many others.
Colonia, Uruguay
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River Plate Triangle
FIRST-CLASS | TAILOR-MADE: Launching from Buenos Aires, spend 6 days travelling through Colonia and Montevideo in Uruguay. Colonia is steeped in history and today is a great resort destination while Montevideo is one of South America's best-kept secrets.- Duration:
- 6 Days
- Prices From:
- AU$ 3,019
- Trip Type:
- Private Experiences, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
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