National park · Uruguay
Anchorena National ParkParque Nacional Anchorena
Enter Anchorena National Park for about UYU 1,200 per adult (≈ US$30), drive from Colonia (≈2 h) and visit the lighthouse and presidential residence; avoid weekends in summer when crowds peak.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
14 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (14 km²)
approximate
Established
1989
Best months
Apr–May, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Uruguay ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Uruguay's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or a Uruguayan consulate; ferry passengers from Buenos Aires clear both countries' immigration at the terminal.
- Uruguay ↗Buenos Aires–Colonia and Buenos Aires–Montevideo ferries sell out on long weekends and in summer: book ahead.
- Uruguay ↗Pay restaurants, hotels and car hire with a foreign-issued card: non-residents get the 22% VAT (IVA) removed on restaurants and car hire roughly 15 November – 30 April, and on lodging — check the current season's rules.
- Rio de la Plata ↗Ferries to Colonia and Montevideo cross into Argentina: carry your passport, and check whether your ticket includes the connecting bus.
- Rio de la Plata ↗Headlights on at all times on highways; driving is on the right.
- Rio de la Plata ↗Uruguayan peso is standard; US dollars are accepted for big-ticket items such as ferry tickets and upscale hotels.
At a glance
- Country
- Uruguay
- Area
- 14 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (14 km²)
- Park covers 1,369 ha (≈ 13.7 km²).
- Established
- 1989
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Colonia del Sacramento
Anchorena National Park, a presidential retreat on the Rio de la Plata, offers historic English‑style manor, a 75 m lighthouse, and mixed forest‑savannah trails with native and introduced wildlife; visitors can explore by reservation‑only residence tours, free lighthouse visits, and easy walks, while entry costs about UYU 1,200 per adult.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1989.
Size and age
14 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (14 km²) · national park since 1989
Park covers 1,369 ha (≈ 13.7 km²).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Colonia del Sacramento.
Why go
- Presidential English‑style manor and historic lighthouse.
- Mixed forest and savannah trails with native and exotic wildlife.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanHot, possible thunderstorms.
- FebPeak summer heat.
- MarWarm, fewer crowds.
- AprMild, dry.
- MayComfortable temperatures.
- JunCooler, low rain.
- JulCool, occasional rain.
- AugCool, low humidity.
- SepMild, dry.
- OctPleasant, low crowds.
- NovWarming up.
- DecHeat returns.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Native monkeys, coatis, white‑tailed deerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Introduced chital deerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Montevideo
Drive west on Route 1 (≈2 h) to Colonia, then north on Route 21 to the park road (≈10 km (6.2 mi)).Drive west on Route 1 (≈2 h) to Colonia, then north on Route 21 to the park road (≈6.2 mi (10 km)).
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Montevideo
Bus to Colonia (≈2 h, US$400) then taxi to the Visitor Center (≈15 min).
2.5–3 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor Center | Ticket office, information desk, parking. | Open daily; fee required. |
| Presidential Residence | English‑style manor, guided tours by reservation. | Reservation required. |
| Gaboto Lighthouse | 75 m lighthouse with exhibits. | Open to visitors; no fee. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from official park website; approximate for main attractions.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | UYU 1,200 | person | 2026 estimate; official price not published (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; stay in Colonia hotels.
- Pets
- Dogs must be leashed and on a lead at all times.
- Guided tours
- Presidential residence requires a reservation; other areas are open without guide.
Where to stay
Near the park
Colonia del Sacramento hotels
Range from budget inns to boutique boutique hotels, 10 km (6.2 mi) from the park.Range from budget inns to boutique boutique hotels, 6.2 mi (10 km) from the park.
Safety
Heat in summer medium
Limited mobile signal low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor Center parking and short paved paths are wheelchair‑friendly.
- Lighthouse stairs are not accessible to limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned hotels in Colonia.
- Do not feed wildlife; keep to marked trails.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Anchorena National Park?
Adult entry is about UYU 1,200 (≈ US$30) per person; children under 12 are free (check official price).
What are the best hikes in Anchorena National Park?
The short forest‑savannah loop (2–3 h) and the lighthouse climb are the most popular, both marked and easy to follow.
When is the best time to visit Anchorena National Park?
April to October offers mild weather and fewer visitors; summer months (Dec–Feb) are hot and busier.
Can I visit the presidential residence?
Yes, but only by reservation; tours are limited and must be booked in advance.
Is camping allowed in the park?
No, the park has no campgrounds; stay in nearby Colonia.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Anchorena National Park
Loading…
Was this useful?