Uruguay travel blog by Mark Berman -
September 2013
November 2019
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View Photoset (36 Photos)
Devil's Point known in Uruguay as Punta del Diablo is not as scary as it sounds, in fact it's a very laid back place as long as
you are not here in peak season (December to February) when this small fishing and resort town is populated by about half of
Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina. November is a good time to visit Punta del Diablo, while it is peaceful and quiet and accommodation
is easier to find closer to the beach. There is a lot to enjoy in and around Punta del Diablo including Santa Teresa National
Park and of course miles and miles of beaches in each direction of the town itself. Punta del Diablo is easily accessible by bus
from Rocha, Punta del Este, Maldonado, Chuy and Montevideo. Fisherman's Beach
The beach in Punta del Diablo in front of the town is called Playa de los
Pescadores (Fisherman's Beach), the next beach closeby to the north is called Playa del Rivero and to the south is Playa de la
Viuda. On the point at Playa de los Pescadores is a boulder city and the lighthouse monument of Jose Artigas in memorial to
freedom from Spanish rule. It's a fun place to explore at the end of the day at sundown. Punta del Diablo has many restaurants
and bars all around the town and in front of the beach and also an arts and crafts fair called the Feria de Artesanos. Enjoy
horse riding, surfing, dune boarding, sunbathing, swimming and relaxing!
Santa Teresa National Park
Santa Teresa National Park is a highlight in this part of Uruguay
and has an old military fort by the same name which is open from 10am-6pm. Be aware that the park entrance and the fort entrance
are 2 different places some kilometers apart. Take a bus from Punta del Diablo to the fort entrance rather than the park entrance.
I was dropped off at the park entrance and had to walk 7kms to get to the fort. There are things to see along the way but with
cars passing by and the hot sun beating down, there were moments when I was slightly stressed. You can walk north along the
beaches for around 8kms to get to the fort from Punta del Diablo. It's better if you have a car to drive around Santa Teresa
National Park actually, most people do this. The main beaches at the park are Playa de la Moza, Playa de las Achiras, Playa del
Barco and Playa Grande.
History of Fortress Santa Teresa
The Fortress of Santa Teresa was built by the Portuguese in 1762 after they abandoned San Miguel Fort
in
Maldonado. It was taken by the Spanish in 1793. The fort was rediscovered in 1918 and personally visited by the president in
1919. The fort was in bad shape, crumbling and turning to dust. A restoration project was proposed and began in 1929. Everything
from the church to the walls and bastions has been restored and there are rooms like the kitchen and bedroom to view as well
as miniature models of several other forts including Fuerte San Jose and Fortaleza Santa Teresa itself. Entrance fee to Santa
Teresa fort is $50 pesos ($1.25USD).
Bus to Treinta y Tres & Chuy
From Punta del Diablo I took a bus via
Chuy, on the first time to
Brazil (in 2013), the 2nd time inland to
Treinta y Tres (2019).
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Sombraculo, an old sundial at Santa Teresa National Park near Punta del Diablo.
2 tall trees stand side by side, natures beauty at Santa Teresa National Park, Punta del Diablo.
Hallway containing memorabilia from Santa Teresa fortress including keys and paintings, Punta del Diablo.
Fortress Santa Teresa in the distance, built by the Portuguese in 1762, Punta del Diablo.
