Colon City in Argentina is one of the most ideal holiday destinations for lovers of riverside adventures.
It is famous among the Argentine locals as a perfect summer holiday capital.
The peak season or the high tourism influx rises up during the month of January, but this quaint little city is prepared or anticipates the need for more lodges, camping resort accommodations, spa services, and casinos.
The city breathes with more life as the populace increases during its busiest month of the year.
You cannot ask for more because at the end of the day and after seeing so many things, it is indeed an excellent city to discover.
Best time to visit Colon ?
Colon City has a very tolerable climate and visitors can plan any adventure any time of the year.
However, there are low and high seasons to consider so that the traveler can prepare what to bring or what to expect.
The high season is best enjoyed from the months of December to February.
You must plan your itinerary a few months in advance because in time with the rising temperature of the season and when the beaches get filled with most tourists, the demand for places to stay also heightens up.
The low season months are from June to August and it is not ideal to make a river adventure because most of the waterways around Colon are freezing or covered with snow.
Best things to do in Colon, Argentina
Listed below are popular attractions that are truly worth a visit if you are looking for fun things to do in the city of Colon, Argentina.
Parque Nacional El Palmar
Located in the agricultural area, this park is well maintained and kept its old palms to provide shade.
Access to this park is via a gravel road that is 15 km away from the city center.
You can do some hikes and see a few animals (beavers, foxes, etc.
) and birds, bathe at the river and explore some ruins.
It’s quite nice and very relaxing as a stopover.
The Camping Paltz is very large, almost all the seats are only suitable for tents (uneven) and there are also small kiosks available.
You must spend plenty of time to get to know the entire park.
It is a remote place to enjoy the full contact with nature and history of the city.
Beyond the palm trees that line the landscape, the park has more to offer like;
beaches, activities like horseback riding, camping spot or a barbecue or picnic, a restaurant, a pantry, sort visit to the Jesuit ruins and several trails for wildlife watching.
There is no closing time and ideally you can watch the sunset and admire the incredible colors that contrast with the silhouette of the palm.
It is best to arrive here early in the morning so you can spend an entire day.
The river, streams, and wildlife, are all at your fingertips.
Bring our own drinking water because there is not much shop where you can buy snacks or beverage.
The campsite and the palm trees look like a place of dreams with amazing sunsets and sunrises.
My favorite stuff to do in Colon
Molino Forclaz
Interestingly, if you’re passing or traveling between Columbus and San Jose a visit to the historic Molino Forclaz is a must.
There are guided tours, but you can also do the tour alone by reading the available information.
It’s very interesting to go;
there are playgrounds for kids and it has a dining area if you want to spend the day relaxing under a good shade.
A tour is strongly suggested, especially for first timers to get to know a little more about the history of Colon, Entre Rios, and their early colonizers.
The creek runs through the middle of the mill and has lovely little beaches where you can take boat trips or take a quick dip.
You should go and hear how the guides recount how it was discovered and used during the early times because sometimes it turns out to be very emotional.
You can try the night tour which aims to promote the senses without the use of any electric lights.
The visit is also very interactive, there are games, even dancing.
The ticket price is very affordable and complements the quality and duration of the visit.
The place in general is very beautiful and the historical significance gives it more charm.
Fun things to do in Colon
Termas de Colon
The Termas de Colon is a very large spa resort where you can enjoy the thermal water jets hitting your back, despite being crowded.
The pools are very good and the slides for children and adults are impeccable.
The attention of the staff and the relaxing ambience is just a few of the reasons why guests spend more time to unwind here.
It is a great outdoor place with lots of exclusive areas for adults.
You can eat something simple at a suitable price.
There are many pools and play areas for children.
If you can avoid it, do not go on long weekends because it is usually crowded.
The thermal springs are located within a beautiful natural setting, where from pools you can see the coast of the Rio Uruguay.
The complex has recently been remodeled and includes a modern water park, but the bathrooms and changing rooms are still very basic.
A visit here can be included in a tour of the Entre Rios, and also the nearby thermal pools of San José and Villa Elisa.
Another point to consider is it is quite difficult to find shady spots unless you arrive here very early.
Sometimes it is hard to enjoy it when there are too many people going, but you can still come out refreshed and rejuvenated after spending a considerable amount of time in the thermal springs.
Popular Colon tourist attractions
Aguas Termales San Jose
The Aguas Termales San Jose is an ideal thermal bath that is composed of 13 pools in a beautiful place.
This thermal spa resort is located just 5 minutes away from city center of Colon and has more pools and spaces to relax.
The best parts are the pools for children, so one can relax while children play;
they also offer massages and spa services that are very good and complete, nothing expensive.
Plus, they have a very good restaurant.
One of their best innovations is to allow access to the spa for people in wheelchairs.
In addition, there are multiple pools with varying temperatures.
They have very good water games and showers or water jets that allow better relaxation.
All in all, it is a very nice thermal resort with activities designed for all ages, slides in a pool of cold water for the younger children, rental gowns and chairs, fun to relax and spend a day to relieve body spasms, has food kiosks and a small spa.
You can also bring your own food and drinks, rent towels, bathrobes, beach chairs and umbrellas.
What else to do in Colon ?
Termas Villa Elisa
For water quality and temperature, the Termas Villa Elisa is one of the best in Colon.
It is 15 kms away from the central part of the city.
Do not go on weekends or holidays, because there are many people, but if you do not mind that, go on and enjoy their excellent service.
You can rent gowns and chairs.
As for entertainment, in addition to the baths, you can rent small boats to pedal, kayak, bikes, etc.
for very affordable prices.
It is situated within the estate of 41 hectares that has everything you need;
grocery, restaurant, confectionery, everything you can think of.
A visit to the Termas Villa Elisa is highly recommended.
Among its several thermal pools, the most patronized one is the recreational with waves for kids and adults.
The resort also has 2 tennis courts and an artificial lake with lots of various outdoor activities, two hotels, a number of bungalows and a restaurant.
Its location is very thorough and friendly and it is best to go with family or your group of friends.
The property is spacious with several barbecues and camping spot.
You can also host a party outside the spa complex because there are several hotels and cabins at good prices.
Is Colon worth visiting?
The answer is Yes.
Colon is worth visiting.
This is because it is such a magical place
full of beauty and adventours.
Make sure you visit the following stunning place:
La Casona
The La Casona is an old house with boarded up walls to hang crafts for exhibit and illuminated with old fluorescent tubes.
La Casona is located in downtown Columbus.
It is a large house that sells cute crafts, curiosities for everyone, Colon souvenirs, and very rare craft collections.
The building is very picturesque with many shopping possibilities.
It is a great place to buy gifts and craft supply with reasonable prices.
It has very beautiful fabrics to crochet and craft bijou in stone, horn and bones that are quite attractive (as most businesses or traders in Colón are engaged with in this area).
The tour offers a varied exhibition and sale of handicrafts at a great price, artisans are generally out there and it is nice to talk to them, plus you can access the showroom of ceramic products in budget friendly prices.
It is an old building that was built in 1868 as a general store.
Over the years, it became the Bank of the Nation, the National Customs subsequently worked and finally in 1979 the Columbus Municipalidad purchased this property where now stands the Artisans Center and the Municipal School of Ceramics.
There you will find a wide variety of work done in copper and bronze, leather, crochet, ceramics, handcrafted souvenirs and articles in wood.
What else to see in Colon ?
La Boutique de La Nuez Pecan
A popular gift shop in Colon where you can buy caramelized walnuts and mouth watering alfajores.
You must drop by and visit the place, since it has everything like;
crafts, drinks, gifts, sweets, in short, a place to enter and leave satisfied with the purchase and the choices you will make.
It is located on the road to Villa Elisa.
The establishment is located a few kilometers from the city of Columbus and is reached by passing through a dirt road.
You can see pecan nut plantations occupying several acres and there is a store selling locally made, good quality and affordable products.
Apart from seeing the plantations, there is an area in the park where you can have tea with delicious cakes.
The pecan nut is great as a snack.
Keep in mind that this shop is not always open and has limited hours of operation.
If you plan to have a tour of the shop, it is advisable to call the staff in advance to confirm if they have an office or not.
Popular places to visit in Colon
El Sotano de los Quesos
Takes you on a journey to the world of exotic flavors in Colon City.
They have excellent tasting cheeses, salamis and fruit liqueurs.
As you enter, you will be drawn to this very attractive and charming place that holds a certain kind of magic that makes you want to stay within its walls and have a good time tasting a variety of cheese and liqueurs that are proudly made in this side of Colon City.
The basement of the shop is a restaurant which has an area where they sell cheese and old things.
The basement shop also has tables outside with a very pleasant atmosphere and sells cheese in all its forms;
chopped, fondue, by block, etc.
Things to do in Colon with kids
Bodega Vulliez Sermet
If you are in Colon, you can visit the Bodega Vulliez Sermet , take a tour around the winery and stay in one of their cabins.
You can have a great time while wine tasting at the vineyards in addition to purchasing some aged wines as souvenirs.
The cabins are comfortable, clean, as well as the pool and the park too.
It is a small winery, with not much fanfare.
Guided tours begin at 11 AM.
After the tasting, you can purchase your chosen products.
The quality of their products, wines and champagnes, is truly amazing, very, very rich and affordable.
The only downside is because the place is too small, the stock is limited.
If you have an hour or so available it is interesting to look around and spend some time.
Incidentally, you can buy a glass of wine if you don’t like to purchase a whole bottle.
It is a very nice place; the owner greets you and leads the tour in a very cordial manner with detailed explanation.
The excursion is followed by a very interesting tour of the facility. This small but excellent winery is located just across the road that has access to the city of Columbus.
The owners explain in detail the development of their wines, all within an old building where you can see the wine bottles in different varieties.
It’s amazing how the vines have developed and allowed to be manufactured here because, winemaking used to be prohibited in Colon during the early times of civilization.
Things to do around Colon
Al Rio
One of the coastal attractions in Colon that is blessed with beautiful beaches that you can enjoy with family or friends.
There are lots of things to do around here like;
ride the Jet ski, kayak, boat trips to the islands and a tour of the riverbanks.
There is a beach bar, corn and ice cream stalls, public toilets and hot water, plus extensive hospitality all around.
The beaches are great and there is something for everyone.
In North Beach, the atmosphere is more familiar.
It is quieter.
The Municipal Beach and Piedras Coloradas are usually full of teenagers.
It is the perfect place to go in the water, sunbathe or spend the day;
the water temperature here is better than that of the Paraná River and obviously not as cold as the sea.
Must see places in Colon
La Cosquilla del Angel
The La Cosquilla del Angel is rated as one of the top fine dining places in Colon.
The atmosphere is very cozy, but the best part is to take a table downstairs because upstairs or on the mezzanine can be somewhat stifling.
The staff is great and welcomes every guest with a drink.
The prices of the dishes are not cheap and it shows that it wants to be a distinguished and practical choice when it comes to fine dining options to try in Colon.
The entire staff of the La Cosquilla del Angel can make you feel very well attended at all times with their own brand of pleasant warmth and attention.
The place is very cozy and beautiful;
the dishes are exquisite and have a stylish presentation.
The bathrooms are impressive, neat, and well maintained.
They provide excellent service, relaxed atmosphere, and accessible location.
The chef also highlights the pasta and red meat on the menu.
For dinner, they offer a discount of 15% (only for clients who are paying in cash).
This enchanting city does not run out of exciting things to do.
There are lots of restaurants, flourishing handicraft market that promotes the locally made products of Colon, thermal spas, and relaxation spots surrounding the Entre Rios.
Aside from seeing the border crossings of Argentina, it is also the best stopover to visit the famous Parque Nacional El Palmar and make a tour of the Spa and Wellness site of Aguas Termales San Jose.
Relax, calm your senses, taste wine, and enjoy your stay at the majestic part of Argentina – Colon City.
