Uruguay beckons just across the Rio de la Plata, accessible by a short boat trip aboard the Buquebus hydrofoil:  at least two fast crossings (1 hour) a day or 2 slow ferries (3 hours) to Colonia del Sacramento, plus two fast Burquebus crossings daily (3 hours) to Montevideo. They say that little Uruguay looks, tastes sound like big neighbor Argentina; however, gemlike Colonia has a charm all its own, and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the colonial town is an easy day trip from Buenos Aires. Uruguay’s many other assets, including some of the continent’s finest beaches and seaside resorts, deserve a longer stay.