Colonia
From CruisersWiki
Colonia (Port of Entry)
 Colonia Old Town | |
 (Click links for more information)
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 | 34°28.12′S, 57°51.18′W |
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 | Photo gallery |
 | Local chartlet |
Background
Colonia (Colonia del Sacramento), founded by the Portuguese in 1680, is filled with old colonial buildings and cobbled streets, and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Situated only a day sail away Colonia is a very popular with yachtsmen from Buenos Aires and La Plata. As a result the harbour can be quite crowded at weekends. It is an ideal destination for foreign yachts wanting to restart the clock on their Argentinian 'Certificado de Admisión Temporal'.
It is also an excellent destination in its own right with quiet shady streets, a slow moving lifestyle, and plenty to see and do.
Charts
Submit the chart details that are required for safe navigation.
Weather
The harbour at Colonia is open to the NNW while SWly weather can set up quite a surge in the harbour.
Passages
List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
Islands
This section does not apply for many islands, remove it if this is the case for this particular. You may, however, list ismall islands adjacent to this one or list one or two of its neighbors.
For islands that have their own page list them as shown below.
- [[Island1]]
- [[Island2]]
The approach to the Colonia Yacht Harbour is straightforward and free of dangers.
Communication
Also see Cruiser's Nets
Entrance
Having secured either alongside or to a mooring buoy you should first present yourself to the Prefectura guardship which is berthed at the end of the seawall.
This is followed by a call at the port office at the root of the seawall. If arriving from a foreign port then a short walk is required to visit the Immigration authorities at the Buquebus ferry terminal. There is no requirement to clear in with the Aduana(Customs).
Departure requirements mirror the arrival ones. Pay mooring dues at the port office, pick up your paperwork at the guardship, attend immigration, take paperwork back to guardship.
Berthing
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
There is no marina as such. Yachts can secure head in to either the seawall or the inner pier with a stern line to a haul off buoy.
There are a good number of mooring buoys in the harbour suitable in the main for yachts up to about 12 metres or so. These buoys have no pick up pennant attached so you need to either have a dinghy in the water to help make fast or be prepared to back up to the buoy and make fast from your stern platform or ladder. The buoys are quite low to the water and too heavy to lift with a boat hook.
Anchorages
List details of all safe anchorages in the area.
Yacht Repairs and Services
Marine Stores
There is a Musto outlet in the old port which sells a small range of chandlery. Several small but good hardware stores can be found in the town.
Repairs/Yards
Minor mechanical repairs can be organised through the Port Office. Work completed in a timely manner, efficiently and at a good price.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
Potable water is available 'on tap' along the sea wall. Electricity is available along the sea wall ( Blue 3 pin 'Euro' plugs). Gas/ Propane can be organised - with a rapid turnaround- through the port office at the root of the sea wall.
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
List places of interest, tours, etc.
Medical
Dentist Dr Sandra Fontana Assandri, 662 Artigas, Tel 22186. Walking distance from the dock.
Laundry
Grocery & Supply Stores
A number of small 'supermercados' are scattered through the town. All general requirements are carried. The 'Colonia' shopping mall lies a walkable distance to the NE of the town but unless you are seeking something you can't find in town the walk is barely justified. Good fruit and vegetables available in the town.
Eateries
Internet/WiFi
Free wifi is available at most restaurants and is also available in the plaza.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
As Colonia is a very popular tourist destination there are numerous rental companies offering motorbikes and 'buggies'.
Transportation
- There are regular bus services to Montevideo.
- Ferry services, some utilising fast catamarans, depart Colonia every few hours for Buenos Aires.
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
Links to relevant websites.
References & Publications
Books, Guides, etc. Use the Reference template or not at your discretion. For example:
-
Rod Heikel, Greek Waters Pilot, Imray Laurie and Wilson, Cambridgeshire, ISBN 9780852889718, expands to - Rod Heikell, Greek Waters Pilot Imray, Laurie and Wilson, Cambridgeshire, ISBN 9780852889718
- Author, Title, Publisher, ISBN ISBN number
- Author, Title, Publisher, ISBN ISBN number
You may want to remove the above entries and use instead a link to the Country or Region that lists the relevant references. If so enter, after removing xx, the following:
See [[Country or Region#References_&_Publications|Coutry or Region]].
If you do not use the above link, please remove it.
Comments
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit. Personal experiences?
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Colonia and this page's details validated:
- December 2009 -- Frank
| This page has an outline in place but needs completing. Please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to suggest further content or alternatively, if you feel confident to edit this page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly. |
 Contributors to this page |
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Names: Lighthouse, Frank |
