| By :
Ken Ingraham
When attending your Spanish language school in Argentina, you may be so caught up in the cultural activities, dining and dancing that it doesn't even occur to you to think about leaving the country. After all, you may be completely immersed in various soccer games, museums, and tango dances! However, if you are planning to learn Spanish in Buenos Aires for more than just a very short period of time, it only makes sense to visit the neighboring country of Uruguay. One interesting fact that you may not have realized is that if you are planning to stay in Argentina for more than 3 months, traveling to Uruguay and back will actually renew your visa for an additional 90 days. Many students take advantage of this strategy to extend their stay in South America. Similarly, visitors to Uruguay, often visit Buenos Aires for the weekend to extend their passports as well. Travel from Argentina to Uruguay is surprisingly easy and quick. A pleasant hour-long boat ride can get you from Buenos Aires to Uruguay. For example, the direct boat ride from Buenos Aires to Montevideo costs about $80. You can also opt to take a boat and a bus for only about $40. This trip takes longer but will lower your costs. Another transportation option is taking a ferry trip across the Rio de la Plata to Colonia, Uruguay. This trip takes anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours. The shorter versions of the trip cost a bit more money. Colonia is a very sleepy colonial town that is definitely worth a visit. In fact, this is the oldest town in all of Uruguay. In this part of the country, you can relax at the beach and enjoy a break from the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires. During your side trip from your Spanish immersion school in Argentina, you can get a unique glimpse into history by visiting the Barrio Historio (or historic quarter) in Colonia. This neighborhood is very convenient since it is walking distance from the ferry terminal. In fact, UNESCO designated this area as a "World Heritage Site." In this section of town, there are cobblestone streets that were built in the 17th century. You can see the oldest church in all of Uruguay, called the Iglesia Matriz as well as Portón de Campo - the City Gate and wooden drawbridge. Another popular attraction is the 17th century Convent of San Francisco lighthouse and convent ruins. Many students who learn Spanish in Buenos Aires overlook traveling to Uruguay. However, this country is one of the most economically developed parts of South America. In fact, Uruguay has also been rated as having the 50th highest quality of life in the world. It is no wonder that many people call this country "South America's best little secret."
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