National park · Uruguay
Santa Teresa National ParkParque Nacional Santa Teresa
Enter Santa Teresa National Park for free; hike the 3 km (1.9 mi) coastal trail early in the day (≈30 min) or the Fort walk (≈45 min). Best months are Dec–Feb; avoid weekends in high summer if you want fewer crowds.Enter Santa Teresa National Park for free; hike the 1.9 mi (3 km) coastal trail early in the day (≈30 min) or the Fort walk (≈45 min). Best months are Dec–Feb; avoid weekends in high summer if you want fewer crowds.
- 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.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
30 km² (12 sq mi)12 sq mi (30 km²)
approximate
Established
1940
Best months
Dec–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Above 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.
- Atlantic Coast ↗High season is late December to early March; many Rocha services close or run weekends-only outside it.
- Atlantic Coast ↗Carry cash for small Rocha villages; card readers and ATMs are unreliable outside Punta del Este and Maldonado.
At a glance
- Country
- Uruguay
- Area
- 30 km² (12 sq mi)12 sq mi (30 km²)
- ≈30 km² total, about 14 km² forested (check).
- Established
- 1940
- Best months
- Dec–Mar
- Permits
- Not needed
Santa Teresa National Park, managed by the Uruguayan Army Park Service, protects coastal forest, 12 km of Atlantic beaches and the historic 18th‑century Santa Teresa Fortress with museum and botanical garden.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteManaged by the Uruguayan Army Park Service.
Size and age
30 km² (12 sq mi)12 sq mi (30 km²) · national park since 1940
≈30 km² total, about 14 km² forested (check).
Why go
- Coastal forest and 12 km (7.5 mi) of beaches on the Atlantic shore.Coastal forest and 7.5 mi (12 km) of beaches on the Atlantic shore.
- Historic 18th‑century Santa Teresa Fortress with museum.
- Botanical garden (Invernaculo) showcasing 300+ plant species.
- Bird‑watching at the aviary and natural ponds.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanWarm, low rain, good beach conditions.
- FebWarm, sunny, ideal for hiking.
- MarMild, still warm, fewer tourists.
- AprCooling, occasional rain.
- MayCooler, still suitable for short walks.
- JunCool, higher chance of wind.
- JulCool, occasional storms.
- AugCool, windier.
- SepMild, less crowd.
- OctMild, start of spring.
- NovMild, increasing sun.
- DecWarm, sunny, beach season.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal birds (shorebirds, gulls)Oct–Mar · Good for birdwatching at sunrise. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Fish in El Chorro pondAll 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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Fortress area | Historic fort, museum, visitor centre. | Open daily; free entry. |
| Beach zone | 12 km (7.5 mi) of sand beaches, surf spots, picnic areas.7.5 mi (12 km) of sand beaches, surf spots, picnic areas. | Open; free. |
| Forest & garden zone | Invernaculo botanical garden, forest trails. | Open; free. |
| Camping zone | Campgrounds, cabins, 24 h access. | Fee required for overnight stay. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 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 are approximate centre points of each feature.
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 (general access) | Free | person | Free for day visitors. |
| Camping site (standard) | UYU 200–400 | site | Check exact price at registration. |
| Cabin (basic, 2‑person) | UYU 800–1,200 | night | Reservation required. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- UYU 200–400
- UYU 800–1,200
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Servicio de Parques del Ejército – Official site before you go.
Park rules
- Fires
- No open fires; use designated grills only.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins at visitor centre.
- Pets
- Dogs must be on a leash and under control.
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Park hostel
Shared dorms and private double rooms.
In the park
Cabins
Two‑person cabins with electricity and water.
Near the park
Nearby Rocha town
Hotels and guesthouses 20 km (12 mi) east of the park.Hotels and guesthouses 12 mi (20 km) east of the park.
Safety
Sun exposure medium
Tides on beaches 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
- Main visitor centre and beach access have paved paths suitable for wheelchairs.
- Some forest trails are uneven and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Bring reusable water bottles; refill at park taps.
- Choose cabins or campsites over private rentals to reduce footprint.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Santa Teresa National Park?
Entry is free for day visitors; you only pay if you camp or stay in a cabin.
What are the best hikes in Santa Teresa National Park?
The coastal trail (≈3 km, easy), the Fortress walk (≈45 min, easy), and the Invernaculo garden loop (≈1 h, easy) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Santa Teresa National Park?
December to February offers warm, sunny weather and the best beach conditions; March is also pleasant with fewer crowds.
Can I bring a tent and camp anywhere in the park?
Camping is allowed only in the designated campground and cabins; you must register and pay the site fee.
Is a guide required for any activities?
No guide is needed for the main trails or fortress; a guide is optional for bird‑watching tours.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Santa Teresa National Park
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