Santa Teresa National Park

Parque Nacional Santa Teresa

A large coastal park combining forested campgrounds, long empty beaches and a colonial-era fortress. Visit for its historic 18th-century fort, botanical gardens, and miles of protected shoreline.

Things to do

• Explore Fortaleza de Santa Teresa — Walk the ramparts of this 18th-century Portuguese-Spanish fortress overlooking the coast, one of Uruguay's most important colonial monuments.
• Wander the botanical gardens — Stroll through the extensive Arboreto Lussich-style plantings and the park's rose gardens, greenhouses, and native tree collections near the fort.
• Relax on Playa Grande — Enjoy this long, wild stretch of Atlantic shoreline with strong surf and few crowds outside peak summer.
• Camp among the forest — Stay in the park's vast shaded campground beneath planted pines and eucalyptus, one of Uruguay's largest public camping areas.
• Visit Laguna Negra viewpoints — Head to the nearby freshwater lagoon and wetlands to spot capybaras, black-necked swans, and abundant birdlife.
• Explore Cerro de la Fortaleza and bird zoo — See the small on-site aviary and animal enclosures and climb the hill for panoramic coastal views.
• Beach day at La Moza and Punta del Diablo access — Combine your visit with the fishing village of Punta del Diablo just south for more beaches and services.

Food to try

• Asado — Uruguay's wood-fired barbecue of beef and sausages is the standard campground and roadside meal, often shared over a long lunch.
• Chivito — The national sandwich piled with steak, ham, cheese, egg, lettuce, and tomato is found at nearby town cantinas.
• Fresh seafood from Punta del Diablo — Sample corvina, brótola, and shark empanadas from the fishing village's family-run eateries just south of the park.
• Torta frita — Fried dough pastries sold at roadside stands, especially popular on rainy or cool days with mate.
• Mate — Join the ubiquitous Uruguayan ritual of sipping yerba mate from a shared gourd, seen everywhere on the beaches and campgrounds.

Local customs & good to know

• Bring cash and supplies — The park is remote with limited shops, so stock up on groceries, water, and cash in La Coronilla or Chuy before arriving.
• Visit outside January peak — The campgrounds fill dramatically during Uruguayan summer holidays, so come in shoulder season for empty beaches and quiet trails.
• Respect the protected environment — This is a managed national park administered by the army (SEPAE), so follow fire rules, stay on paths, and don't disturb wildlife.
• Carry your own mate gear — Locals bring a thermos and gourd everywhere; sharing mate is a friendly gesture but each person typically sips from the same straw.

Nearby

• Fortaleza de Santa Teresa (Eastern Wetlands & Border) — 1 km
• Punta del Diablo — 8 km
• Laguna Negra (Eastern Wetlands & Border) — 19 km
• Fuerte San Miguel (Eastern Wetlands & Border) — 32 km