The Río de la Plata, an estuary so vast it’s often called the world’s widest river, dictates the relationship between Argentina and Uruguay. Consequently, your travel between the two is most often a journey by water, with modern, high-speed ferries connecting the capital cities of Buenos Aires and Montevideo. These vessels make the trip in just a couple of hours, turning an international border crossing into a comfortable and scenic mini-cruise. Many travelers also opt for the shorter ferry ride to the charming colonial city of Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which serves as a peaceful entry point to the country.
While the ferry services are the most popular option, three major road crossings exist further north over the Uruguay River for those traveling overland. These impressive international bridges connect Gualeguaychú with Fray Bentos, Colón with Paysandú, and Concordia with Salto. The Fray Bentos crossing is particularly notable; the bridge, named General San Martín, was the center of a years-long diplomatic dispute over a riverside paper mill, a fact that adds a layer of recent history to your trip. Whether you choose to travel by land or sea, the cultural transition is exceptionally subtle, a gentle shift between two closely related River Plate cultures that share a deep passion for tango, mate, and football.