Major city · Argentina
Colón
A quiet riverside stop for one night or a day trip from Buenos Aires: thermal baths, beaches, and the Palacio San José. Not a base for the region.
Colón is a small city on the Uruguay River in Entre Ríos, 324 km from Buenos Aires. It offers thermal water complexes, river beaches, and the nearby Palacio San José, a national monument. Most travellers use it as a relaxed stopover between Buenos Aires and Uruguay or the Mesopotamian region.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ARS
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid Jun–Aug (cooler, fewer thermal visitors)
- Airport
- PRA
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Argentina ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Argentina's National Migration Directorate (Migraciones) or an Argentine consulate before booking.
- Argentina ↗Since April 2025 the official, MEP and street ('blue') dollar rates sit within a few percent of each other; a foreign card is usually the best-value way to pay, while ATM withdrawals carry high fixed fees. Rules have changed often — check before you fly.
- Argentina ↗Patagonia (El Calafate, El Chaltén, Ushuaia) is a November–March trip; in winter many services close and hiking is limited.
- Argentina ↗Since August 2026 non-resident foreigners must show insurance or pay for non-urgent care at nationally run public hospitals, and Buenos Aires City, Mendoza, Salta, Jujuy and Santa Cruz charge visitors for scheduled care; emergencies are still treated. Travel with medical insurance — check the current rules.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Colón911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Colón, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Argentine peso (ARS, $).Argentina-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro, Movistar and Personal cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their shops with a passport, or an eSIM before you fly.Argentina-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable in Buenos Aires and most cities; in the Northwest and rural areas ask or use bottled.Argentina-wide
- TippingRestaurant: About 10% in cash; the cubierto (cover charge) is not a tip.Argentina-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Argentina-wide
- SafetyColón is generally safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsUse cafés, shopping centres and bus terminals (small fee sometimes); carry tissues.Argentina-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 107 ambulance · 100 fire
- Sundays & holidaysSiesta hours (13:00–17:00) in the provinces close many shops; Buenos Aires works straight through.Siesta hours (1:00 PM–5:00 PM) in the provinces close many shops; Buenos Aires works straight through.Argentina-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPRA General Justo José de Urquiza Airport (Paraná) (About 1.5 h by car; limited domestic flights.
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café con leche)ARS 1,500–2,500
- BeerBeer (local, 1 L)ARS 2,000–3,500
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from centre to Balneario NorteARS 3,000–5,000
- Metro or bus rideBus to Buenos Aires (one way)ARS 10,000–15,000
- Budget bedCamping site (per person), a night, per personARS 5,000
- Mid-range bedDouble room (mid-range hotel), a night, per roomARS 40,000
- High-end bedDouble room (mid-range hotel), a night, per roomARS 60,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ARS 20,000 · Mid ARS 35,000 · High ARS 60,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PRA General Justo José de Urquiza Airport (Paraná) (About 1.5 h by car; limited domestic flights. Alternatively, fly to Buenos Aires (EZE or AEP) and take a bus.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Aug
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jun (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low), wettest Mar (9 rain days), driest Jun (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Colón: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
Mar
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Jul
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable. For Palacio San José (about 10 km) or El Palmar National Park, you need a car or a taxi. Local buses are limited.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Palacio San José
goDoor to door: 20 min
Taxi or car, about 10 km (6.2 mi) north on RP 39Taxi or car, about 6.2 mi (10 km) north on RP 39
Closed Mondays. Allow 1–2 hours.
El Palmar National Park
goDoor to door: 40 min
Car via RN 14, about 30 km (19 mi) southCar via RN 14, about 19 mi (30 km) south
Yatay palm forest; entry fee applies. Half-day trip.
Paysandú, Uruguay
goDoor to door: 15 min to the border
Cross the General Artigas Bridge (toll); bus or car
You need a passport; check visa requirements for Uruguay.
San José
goDoor to door: 20 min
Car via RP 39, about 15 km (9.3 mi)Car via RP 39, about 9.3 mi (15 km)
Small town with thermal complex and river views.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
City centre (near Plaza San Martín)
Walking distance to shops, restaurants, and the riverfront.
Balneario Norte area
Closer to the beach and thermal complexes; more cabins and camping.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ARS 15,000–25,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ARS 25,000–45,000 excl. bed
- High
- ARS 45,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room (mid-range hotel)1 × 1 night × ARS 40,000 | ARS 40,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ARS 35,000 | ARS 70,000 |
| Bus Buenos Aires → Colón, one way2 × ARS 12,000 · check | ARS 24,000 |
| Thermal complex entry (one day)2 × ARS 5,000 · check | ARS 10,000 |
| Taxi from Colón to Palacio San José, round trip1 × ARS 15,000 · check | ARS 15,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ARS 15,900 |
| Trip total≈ ARS 87,500 per person per day, bed included | ARS 174,900 |
2026 estimate in Argentine pesos; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café con leche) | ARS 1,500–2,500 |
| Ice cream (Heladería Bahillo) | ARS 2,000–4,000 |
| Alfajor entrerriano | ARS 800–1,500 |
| Beer (local, 1 L) | ARS 2,000–3,500 |
| Taxi from centre to Balneario Norte | ARS 3,000–5,000 |
| Bus to Buenos Aires (one way) | ARS 10,000–15,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Thermal complexes may have reduced hours in winter: check the official site.
- The Uruguay River current can be strong; swim only at designated beaches.
- Palacio San José is closed on Mondays: plan accordingly.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Ambulance
- 107
- Fire
- 100
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ColónColón
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police911
- Ambulance107
- Fire100
Embassy
The US has an embassy in Buenos Aires; most other countries have embassies in Buenos Aires. For Uruguay, check visa requirements before crossing.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Buenos Aires → Colón: about ARS 10,000–15,000, 4–5 h (check)
- Taxi centre → Palacio San José: about ARS 7,000–10,000 one way (check)
- Thermal complex entry: about ARS 5,000 (check)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-syahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (KWAHN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el complejo termal? — Where is the thermal complex? (DOHN-deh es-TAH el kom-PLEH-hoh ter-MAHL)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR)
- ¿Aceptan tarjeta? — Do you accept card? (ah-SEP-tahn tar-JEH-tah)
Prices are 2026 estimates in Argentine pesos.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Colón. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr · avoid Jun–Aug (cooler, fewer thermal visitors) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Thermal complex pages with hours and pricing verified.
- Palacio San José page with guided tour options.
- River beach safety and access details.
- Bus terminal connections to Buenos Aires and Concordia.
Sources
Ask about Colón
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