Santa Teresa National Park Voyage Tips and guide

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Santa Teresa National Park is a protected natural coastal area and national monument in the Rocha Department along the Atlantic Coast of Uruguay. The park features an historic 18th century fortress as well as beaches, forests and natural attractions.

Unlike other national parks in Uruguay, Santa Teresa is operated and maintained by the Park Service of the Army of Uruguay. The park covers an area of 3,000 hectares, 1,400 of which are forested, covered by more than 2 million trees.

In the period between 1750 and the end of the 18th century, Portugal and Spain tussled over the border between their respective territories. What is today the Rocha Department was a contested borderland, initially Portuguese territory (part of Brazil) that was coveted by Spain. The Portuguese garrison in Rio de Janeiro as charged with defending the area and about 1,000 men were dispatched to fortify the area. Trenches were dug on the Cape of Santa Teresa and in 1762, the cornerstone of the new fort was laid. Construction proceeded for a short while before being suspended as war broke out between Portugal and Spain.

When the dust settled after 1828, the contested territory became Uruguay, a Spanish territory. Under Spanish control, construction on the fort was resumed and the fort eventually completed. It was abandoned around 1850, briefly reoccupied in 1895, then re-abandoned and used by local ranchers to house cattle.

Between 1921 and 1928, efforts commenced to restore both the fortresses at Santa Teresa and at San Miguel. The cows had to moooove out to make room for historians and construction crews. Restoration work was completed in 1940 and a museum was opened at the site, which was opened to tourists.

From Montevideo, drive east on the Ruta Interbalnearia until it merges with Route 9, then continue to the park entrance at KM 302. The 300 km trip will take about 4 hours.

From the Terminal Tres Cruces bus station in Montevideo, Cot, Rutas del Sol, and Cynsa offer first-class buses to the park entrance. The 5-hour bus ride costs about U$850.

There is no cost to enter the park.

The park entrance is open 08:00 to 18:00 Tuesday through Sunday. The park is closed to daytime visitors on Mondays.

The park entrance is via route 9 at KM 302.

• Invernaculo is a botanical garden and greenhouse that showcase a collection of more than 300 plant species including several found nowhere else in Uruguay. Many of the plants are from tropical forests on other continents.
• El Chorro is a pond with natural water, showcasing several types of fish with large pools of koi and desert environments showcasing various cacti, the area also has visitor services including rest rooms and a restaurant
• Aviary houses parrots, toucans, forest songbirds, and a number of other birds native to Uruguay as well as small mammals and reptiles (i.e., not animals who might be hungry for a poultry dinner)

• Beaches: stretch along the coastline for more than 12 km, from Punta del Diablo to Cerro Verde. Wide sandy beaches are perfect for sunbathing, with occasional rocky stretches. Beaches include:
  • Playa Grande
  • Playa del Barco
  • Playa Achiras
  • Playa la Moza (considered the best waves for surfing in Uruguay)

The park store offers grocery items, snacks, bottled drinks and various camping and beach supplies.

• El Chorro - a restaurant serves fast food and snacks

Water is available in the camping area as well as most park facilities. Water is available in the camping area. Bottled drinks are for sale at the park's restaurant and store.

The park has a hostel with shared dorms for men or women and private rooms available that can accommodate 2 persons.

A campground with 1,600 camp sites offers overnight campsites as well as cabins with beds, cooking areas and showers. Overnight guests have 24-hour access to the park. The park can accommodate 10,000 overnight guests. Campsites include rustic tent sites under towering shade trees as well as improved sites with electric and water hookups. Cabins can be reserved ahead of time. Campsites are assigned on site at the park registration office. Some of the cabins are located next to the beach with sweeping ocean views. While admission to the park is free, fees are charged for overnight guests. Information about camping can be obtained by phone or Whatsapp: (+598) 4477 2103

• Punta del Diablo
• Chuy
• Cabo Polonio