National park · Uruguay
San Miguel National ParkParque Nacional San Miguel
Enter San Miguel National Park for a short hike (1–2 h) on the Forest Trail for $5 USD (≈ UYU 210) and visit the historic fort; avoid weekends in summer (Dec–Feb) to miss 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.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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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
15 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (15 km²)
approximate
Established
1937
Best months
—
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
- 15 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (15 km²)
- Park covers about 1,542 ha (≈ 15.4 km²) according to the park description.
- Established
- 1937
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Chuy
San Miguel National Park protects coastal dunes, forested hills and the historic 18th‑century Fuerte de San Miguel, offering short easy trails and wildlife spotting near the Brazil border.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1937.
Size and age
15 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (15 km²) · national park since 1937
Park covers about 1,542 ha (≈ 15.4 km²) according to the park description.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Chuy.
Why go
- Coastal fortress and natural scenery in one visit.
- Easy forest and river trails for wildlife spotting.
- Nearby town of Chuy offers lodging and dining.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanPeak summer crowds.
- FebHot, crowds.
- MarWarm, fewer visitors.
- AprMild, good trails.
- MayCool, dry.
- JunCool, low rain.
- JulCool, dry.
- AugCool, dry.
- SepMild, dry.
- OctMild, low rain.
- NovWarm, dry.
- DecSummer crowds.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White‑tailed deerMar–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Capuchin monkeysAll 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 north on Route 5, then west on Route 24 to the park gate near the Brazil border.
4 h
Open the page →
From Chuy
From the town centre, follow signs eastward for 5 km (3.1 mi) to the park entrance.From the town centre, follow signs eastward for 3.1 mi (5 km) to the park entrance.
10 min
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Fort and visitor centre | Historic fort, museum, ticket office, short trails start here. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Forest Trail area | Marked easy loop through woodland, good for birdwatching. | Open with entry ticket. |
| River Trail area | Path along the riverbank with views of the water. | Open with entry ticket. |
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 Wikidata centre of the park; approximate for orientation.
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 | UYU 200 | person | 2026 estimate; official source not explicit. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Leashed dogs allowed on trails; must stay on marked paths.
- Camping
- Permitted only in designated sites near the river; obtain a permit at the office.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use park grills where provided.
Where to stay
Near the park
Hotel Fortín de San Miguel
Boutique lodge adjacent to the fort; rooms $90 USD per night.
Near the park
Chuy town
Various hotels, hostels and guesthouses within 5 km (3.1 mi) of the park.Various hotels, hostels and guesthouses within 3.1 mi (5 km) of the park.
Safety
Heat medium
Lost on trails 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 centre and short trails have paved walkways suitable for limited mobility.
- Longer forest sections have uneven ground; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in the park lodge or Chuy accommodations to support local economy.
- Do not feed wildlife; keep the park clean.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter San Miguel National Park?
Entry is about UYU 200 per person (≈ $5 USD) bought at the park office.
What are the best hikes in San Miguel National Park?
The easy Forest Trail (1–2 h) and River Trail (1–2 h) are well marked and suitable for most visitors.
When is the best time to visit San Miguel National Park?
Visit in the shoulder months (Mar–Nov) for milder weather and fewer crowds; summer (Dec–Feb) can be hot and busy.
Can I camp in the park?
Camping is allowed at designated river sites; obtain a permit at the visitor centre.
Is there accommodation inside the park?
Yes, Hotel Fortín de San Miguel offers rooms adjacent to the fort; other options are in nearby Chuy.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about San Miguel National Park
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