Colonia del Sacramento Travel Forum

We will be staying at the Four Seasons Carmela upriver from Colonia during the first week of December. Can anyone tell me about interesting day trips and activities (horseback riding, boating, hiking etc.)in this area of Uruguay?

I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay in my country. The Four Seasons is a fairly new 5-star hotel in Carmelo, with an 18-hole golf link : http://www.fourseasons.com/carmelo/vacations/quick_facts.html
Colonia del Sacramento is a must see, as the Parque Anchorena (the Presidential vacation house).
Here are some links:
http://www.presidencia.gub.uy/anchorena/default.htm
http://www.presidencia.gub.uy/anchorena/page_02.html
http://www.presidencia.gub.uy/anchorena/page_03.html
http://www.turismo.gub.uy/destacados/cambios_guardia/index.html
http://www.turismo.gub.uy/

Regarding horseback riding, canoeing, or just staying in a estancia (cattle ranch), many times hosted by its owners, you can contact Lares.
There are many options in different regions. I've visited and enjoyed the San Martín del Yi, in Flores.
http://www.lares.com.uy
Depending on the length of your stay, you can try visiting other regions of the country, like Lavalleja (Minas), Maldonado (Punta del Este, Punta Ballena, Piriápolis, José ignacio), Salto (spas or Termas at Daymán and Arapey), or Montevideo.
http://www.bwlosnaranjos.com.uy/
Also look for the Barcelo Hotels in Uruguay : http://www.barcelo.com/
Some other really fine hotels in Uruguay are Las Cumbres : http://www.cumbres.com.uy/
and in Montevideo the Belmont House : http://www.belmonthouse.com.uy/

Thanks for the helpful information. We will follow up with the contacts you provided.

Regarding the estancia San Martín del Yi, their home page is www.sanmartindelyi.com.uy
There you can find phones and contact them directly.
It has coast on the river Yi, and the weather should be perfect for canoeing.