Santa Teresa National Park is a beautiful place in Uruguay that has a lot of outdoor activities and places to explore. Here are some things you can do if you visit the park:
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Walking through the park
Between the resorts of Punta del Diablo and La Coronilla is the Santa Teresa National Park. You can reach Route 9, km 302 to a place where history and nature merge to offer an unforgettable ride during your vacation in Uruguay. The park covers 3,000 hectares, of which 1,400 are covered in forest, populated with more than 2 million exotic and native trees.
The Fortress of Santa Teresa
The fortress is part of the Santa Teresa National Park, created to protect it and is undoubtedly one of the main attractions. The current Santa Teresa Fortress was built by the Spanish in the 18th century, although its foundation and name are due to Portugal. In the short period of October 1765 to 1775 three fortifications were built.
It is possible to visit it and you can explore the interior of the fortress and learn about its history. The Historical Site Museum operates there with an exhibition that recreates the appearance of the fortress in the 18th century.

The Black Lagoon
Surrounded by trees, this picturesque lagoon is an ideal place for a relaxing swim.
Additionally, there is a trail that circles the lagoon, and it is a popular hike among park visitors. The trail is about 2.5 km and takes you through beautiful native forest, grasslands and rocky areas. The lagoon is fed by streams and is surrounded by hills covered with native forests and grasslands. The depth of the lagoon varies from 2 to 5 meters and is dark in color due to the sediments and trees found at the bottom. The lagoon is also a popular spot for bird watching. There is a wide variety of species that can be observed in the area, including the carancho, the hornero, the thrush and the benteveo, among others.

El Chorro (The jet)
Near the area where the main services of the Park are located, such as toilets, a supermarket and a restaurant, there is a stone construction that takes advantage of the natural unevenness and is surrounded by vegetation. It is a pool of natural spring water called El Chorro. It is ideal for taking a bath on hot days.
Enjoying the beach
The park’s beaches are a must-see, offering crystal-clear waters and fine sand for swimming, surfing and windsurfing. The park has several beautiful beaches to enjoy.
From south to north they are: Playa Grande (bordering Punta del Diablo), Playa del Barco (which is the least crowded), Playa de las Achiras (the most accessible) and Playa de la Moza (ideal for windsurfing lovers for its waves).You can also walk along the beach path to enjoy the views.

Take walks
There are several trails in the park with beautiful views of nature.
Piedras Coloradas Trail begins at the Barrancas Coloradas camping area. It runs among lush vegetation and very tall trees (some of them with enormous trunks, probably centuries old). The results of Nature’s violent tantrums are visible. The Piedras Coloradas trail takes you to Playa de la Moza, near the rocky point that separates it from the next beach (already outside the park).
Arroyo Grande trail is especially popular as it takes you to a stunning waterfall.
Birdwatching
The park is home to many species of birds, including the peregrine falcon and spectacled owl. You can take a hike along the Laguna Negra trail to observe some of these species.
Camping
If you want to spend more time in the park, you can camp in one of the designated areas. The Santa Teresa campsite has 1,600 plots, some of which are wild and others in areas with electricity and water service. Although entry to the Park is free, those who wish to spend the night must register as campers and pay for their stay. It is also possible to rent a cabin and there is a hostel.
Fort San Miguel
45 minutes from the Santa Teresa fortress is Fort San Miguel, which was erected by the Portuguese in 1737 on the hill of the same name, after having abandoned the settlement attempt of Maldonado. The fort is located in the San Miguel National Park which is also a protected area.

FAQs
How much does the entrance to the park cost?
Admission is free although for some services and activities within the park you must pay an amount.