Santa Teresa, National park in Rocha Department, Uruguay.
Santa Teresa is a national park along Uruguay's Atlantic coast that stretches across coastal land with forests, dunes, and wide sandy beaches. The grounds also contain a former military fortress with associated structures as well as gardens and aquariums for visitors to explore.
The Portuguese built Fortaleza de Santa Teresa in 1762 as a military fortification, preserving cannons, tunnels, and a chapel to this day. This fortress was later incorporated into the national park and now serves as a historical testament to the region's colonial past.
The greenhouse, established in 1939, displays tropical flora from five continents alongside a small aquarium containing koi carp and water gardens.
The park has multiple beach sections that are accessible through different routes and offer varying surface conditions. Visitors should expect different conditions depending on the season, especially in coastal areas.
The park grounds include a two-kilometer emergency landing corridor along a road where aircraft can touch down when needed. This infrastructure is rare in Uruguay and shows the multi-purpose use of this coastal area.
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