Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay 🇺🇾
Nomad Score:
64%
Essentials
🏙️ City | Colonia del Sacramento is a historical city located on the banks of the Río de la Plata, known for its well-preserved colonial architecture. |
👥 Population | Approximately 27,000. |
💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed is 30 Mbps, with some places offering fiber optics. |
💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 40 UYU. Major banks include Banco República and HSBC. |
🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable. |
🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/I sockets. |
📶 SIM Card | Providers like Antel and Movistar offer prepaid SIM cards. |
💳 Banking for Expats | Visa and Mastercard widely accepted; ATMs available throughout the city. |
🛌 Accommodation | Options include hotels, hostels, and Airbnb. Prices vary from $15/night in hostels to $100/night in hotels. |
💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted widely at most establishments. |
🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Vrbo are popular for short-term rentals. |
🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Albergue de la Colonia offers dormitory beds starting at $15 per night. |
Working and Networking
🏢 Best Coworking Space | Coworking Colonia offers a vibrant space for remote work with high-speed internet. |
☕ Best Cafe for Work | Lobo Cafe is popular among digital nomads for its ambiance and Wi-Fi. |
💼 Networking Events | Regular Meetups can be found on Facebook groups focused on expats and digital nomads. |
🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expats in Colonia Facebook group regularly organizes social gatherings and events. |
Transportation
🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | EasyTaxi is commonly used for rides. |
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Colonia Bici offers bike rentals for exploring the city. |
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Playa Ferrando is the closest beach, located around 10 minutes by car. |
✈️ Top Regional Airline | Amaszonas operates regional flights. |
✈️ Top International Airline | LATAM and Aerolineas Argentinas offer flights to Montevideo and Buenos Aires. |
🛣️ Highway Access | Ruta 1 connects Colonia to Montevideo and other parts of the country. |
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | There is no train service; buses connect to major cities. |
🚍 Public Transport Passes | No specific transit pass system; buses operate on a pay-per-ride basis. |
✈️ Regional Travel | Buses connect to Montevideo, Montevideo's airport, and other regional destinations. |
Health and Wellness
🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital General de Colonia provides emergency and general healthcare services. |
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga in the Park offers outdoor yoga classes for all levels. |
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness Club Colonia provides modern facilities for workouts. |
🧺 Laundry Services | Lavandería Express offers affordable wash-and-fold services. |
Food and Drink
📱 Best Food Delivery App | PedidosYa is the most popular food delivery app. |
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Sopa de pescado (fish soup) and asado (barbecue) are must-tries. |
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Café del Mercado offers a good selection of vegetarian meals. |
🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Heladería La Ronda is famous for its homemade ice cream. |
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Mercado del Puerto offers various local food stalls and products. |
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | MercadoLibre is widely used for online shopping. |
🛒 Grocery Delivery | Droguería y Supermercado La Humedad provides grocery delivery services. |
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Barrio Histórico has several bars and nightlife options. |
🍻 Local Brewery | Brewery Colonia offers tours and tastings of local craft beers. |
🍷 Wine Bars | Varietales offers a selection of local wines for tasting. |
🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food trucks near the waterfront serve local snacks and drinks. |
🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurante El Peregrino offers a mix of Italian and Uruguayan dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The historic quarter is a must-visit, featuring the iconic Lighthouse. |
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museo Portugués and Museo Municipal are highlights for art and history. |
🏰 Historical Sites | Barrio Histórico and the Basilica del Santísimo Sacramento are significant. |
🕍 Religious Sites | The Basilica del Santísimo Sacramento is a prominent religious site. |
🎉 Annual Events | Carnival celebrations in February and the Festival de Jazz in November attract many visitors. |
🎨 Cultural Districts | The Historic Quarter features cobblestoned streets and colonial architecture. |
🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Bastión del Carmen hosts local and touring performances. |
🛍️ Local Markets | The Craft Fair every weekend showcases local artisans and crafts. |
🎼 Music Scene | Bars and cafes feature live music, especially during summer months. |
🎨 Street Art | Explore murals and street art around the historic district. |
🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Learn traditional Uruguayan cooking at La Casa de la Cocina. |
👩🎨 Art Galleries | La Calle de los Títeres features various local artists. |
🕰️ Historic Buildings | Casa Nacarello is an example of colonial architecture open for visits. |
🏴 Local Heritage | Colonia's heritage is strongly linked to its Portuguese and Spanish influences. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The nearby Colonia del Sacramento Beach provides a great escape. |
🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Parque Nacional Grutas del Palacio is a short drive away for nature lovers. |
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The waterfront promenade is perfect for cycling and walking. |
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The lighthouse provides panoramic views of the city and river. |
🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Río de la Plata estuary is home to various migratory bird species. |
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas near the beach for bonfires during weekends. |
Other Services and Amenities
📦 Parcel Delivery Service | UPS and DHL provide reliable international shipping services. |
🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Tienda de Tecnología provides phone and computer repair services. |
🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local community centers have table tennis tables available. |
🧑🏫 Language Classes | Instituto de Idiomas offers Spanish classes for foreigners. |
📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca del Banco de la República is a quiet place to study. |
🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Cultural La Sopería organizes events and activities. |
🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Ataribio Escape Room offers fun team games and challenges. |
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Colonia offers a gaming experience with slot machines and table games. |
Business
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $72,000) |
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000) |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $120,000) |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,400 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $84,000) |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $176,000) |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $128,000) |
💼 Corporate Tax | 25%. |
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 7%. |
🏦 Tax System | Progressive tax system based on income. |
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 36%. |
🧾 VAT | 22%. |
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules apply. |
🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on cadastral income. |
🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 3% standard rate. |