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Park · Punta del Diablo, Rocha
Parque Nacional de Santa Teresa
A 3,000-hectare park on Ruta 9, between Punta del Diablo and La Coronilla, with more than 2 million trees, a greenhouse, rose garden, wildlife refuge, camping and four ocean beaches.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Parque Nacional de Santa Teresa
The Parque Nacional de Santa Teresa was created by law in 1927 to protect the fortress of the same name. The idea came from historian Horacio Arredondo, who proposed a landscaped-garden style park around the walls. Today it covers about 3,000 hectares, managed by the Army, with more than 2 million native and exotic trees.
Inside there are self-guided trails, picnic areas and several visitor spaces. The granite-and-glass greenhouse, dating from 1939, houses tropical flora, a small aquarium and ponds with carp. Next to it are the shade house (sombráculo) and the rose garden, with more than 300 varieties. El Chorro is a natural stone pool formed by a stream.
The Pajarera is a wildlife refuge dedicated to threatened birds, with boardwalks over wetlands where you can see capybaras, otters, deer and caimans; peacocks roam freely. A viewpoint above the Laguna de Peña allows observation of the park's largest capybara reserve.
The park has 12 km of coastline, from Cerro Verde to Punta del Diablo, with four beaches: Playa Grande, Playa del Barco, Playa de las Achiras and Playa La Moza, known for its waves. There is a campsite with about 1,600 pitches, cabins, a hostel, a market and a restaurant.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Half a day for the greenhouse, the rose garden and the Pajarera; a full day if you include the fortress and a beach.
Best time
The park is usually open Tuesday through Sunday during daylight hours: check before you go. In summer the campsite fills up; outside the season the trails are quiet.
How to get there
The entrance is at km 302 on Ruta 9, about 10 km north of Punta del Diablo and roughly 36 km south of Chuí.
Tip
Pets are not allowed and you must not feed the animals in the refuge. To camp or rent a cabin you must register and book in advance.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Parque Nacional de Santa Teresa
What is there to do in Parque de Santa Teresa?
Visit the fort, the greenhouse, the rose garden, the Pajarera and El Chorro, walk the trails and go to the park's four beaches.
Can you camp in Santa Teresa?
Yes. The campground has about 1,600 lots, with and without power and water. There are also cabins and a hostel, with advance reservation.
How far is it from Punta del Diablo?
The entrance, at km 302 on Ruta 9, is about 10 km from the village.
What are the park's beaches?
Playa Grande, Playa del Barco, Playa de las Achiras and Playa La Moza, along a 12 km stretch of coast.