Santa Teresa National Park

About

Located near the Brazilian border, this coastal park is packed with a huge variety of activities. The central feature is Fortaleza Santa Tereza, a rare intact Uruguayan fortress. Occupied by Portuguese and Spanish for 63 years, it was largely abandoned before becoming a museum in the 40’s. Massive cannon-proof walls, a museum of weapons, model forts, blacksmithing and a reconstruction of the hospital and kitchens add to the interest. The park itself has 12km of sandy beaches, though these are more suited to wind and wave-based watersports. The parrot-filled wooded coast makes for excellent walking. Along the way is a wildlife sanctuary, containing such animals from capybara to caiman, and an aviary for endangered birds. Also not to be missed is the greenhouse, with plants from five continents, accompanied by two large ponds of koi carp, and a small aquarium. Uniquely to Uruguay is a rose garden containing over 300 varieties.