The Uruguayan Constitution, specifically in Article 47, clearly states that the protection of the environment is a matter of public interest. Safe to say, the Uruguayan state has been deeply committed to protecting the country’s natural resources. It would take too long I fear to review all the different policies that the Ministry of Environment has implemented. So, I chose to focus on one that I had a direct experience with: protected areas.

Anytime I asked recommendations on places to visit, Cabo Polonio was brought up. My friends and acquaintances described it as a small picturesque beach town, with such low levels of light pollution that you can easily admire the bright stars on the night sky. What I did not know was that Cabo Polonio is actually at the heart of a national park. Approximately 4 hours away from Montevideo, Cabo Polonio serves as a sanctuary for native endangered species like the Darwin frog. I am still incredibly sad I did not get to see one of these silly guys in person.

What was very interesting to me was how the Uruguayan government had approached eco-tourism in protected areas. In Cabo Polonio, for instance, cars were not allowed past a certain point to preserve the dunes and its ecosystem. My friend parked his car at the entrance of the park, at the same place were we hopped on a bus to reach the coast of Cabo Polonio. Only those buses are allowed to traverse the dunes. The town itself is incredibly small, with only 70 residents occupying its houses according to a friendly neighbor we met. My friends and I sat at the beach and we were able to admire sea lions! However, the locals were very clear on not disturbing these giants. In general, it struck me how Cabo Polonio showed a balance of protecting our natural environment by fostering eco-tourism with moderation.

There are other 21 protected areas all around Uruguay. They are a great example of how this small nation continues to uphold the values of sustainability for its people and nature.