Audio Guide of Cabo Polonio National Park

Access by private vehicle is prohibited; you must leave your car at the terminal and take the authorized 4x4 trucks (or walk 7 km across the dunes). Although the park is open 24 hours a day, the trucks usually operate from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. or later depending on the season; check current schedules at Rocha Tourism.

Admission to the Protected Area is free, but transportation on the 4x4 trucks has a cost (about 350 UYU round trip) and must be paid in cash. If you want to climb the Lighthouse for the panoramic view, there is also a small entrance fee.

To truly capture the magic of the place, it is best to stay at least one night and see the starry sky without light pollution. If you are only going for the day, allow at least 5 hours to walk along the north and south beaches, see the sea lions, and climb the lighthouse.

Cabo Polonio is a national icon because it is home to one of the largest sea lion reserves in the world and to its 1881 lighthouse, vital in preventing historic shipwrecks. Its cultural value lies in its resistance to modernity, maintaining a disconnected way of life without a conventional power grid.

If you are looking for sun and beach time, January and February are the warmest months, although they are also the busiest. For a more introspective, quiet experience with good walking weather, March, April, and November are exceptional.

It is a challenging destination in terms of accessibility because of its loose sandy streets and dunes, which make wheelchair use very difficult. In addition, getting on and off the 4x4 trucks requires climbing high steps, so it is not the most friendly terrain for limited mobility.

Very close by is **Barra de Valizas**, famous for its huge dunes that connect on foot with the cape. A few kilometers away by car, you can also visit the charming village of Punta del Diablo, known for its bohemian atmosphere and excellent surfing beaches.

Bring cash (Uruguayan pesos), since there are no ATMs and few places accept cards. It is essential to bring a flashlight for the night, sunscreen, and a windbreaker, since the ocean breeze can be cool even in summer.