Nature reserve 25 km south of Cozumel
An eco park at the island's southern tip: the Celarain lighthouse, a lagoon with crocodiles and birds, and quiet beaches with reef.
Punta Sur is the southern tip of Cozumel, a protected stretch of beaches, dunes, mangroves, lagoons and low forest run as an ecological park by the Fundación de Parques y Museos de Cozumel. It feels far from the cruise piers: there are no hotels, just a sandy road through the park, a few beach facilities, and a lot of empty coast.
The landmark is the Celarain lighthouse, which stands on the point and houses a small museum of navigation. Climb the stairs to the top for a view over the whole southern end of the island, with the Caribbean on one side and the lagoons on the other. Near it is El Caracol, a tiny Maya building from the Postclassic period. A popular story says it whistled in the wind to warn of hurricanes, but archaeologists see it simply as a small temple.
Inside the park, Laguna Colombia is home to crocodiles and wading birds, which you can watch from observation towers. Some beaches are set aside for sea turtles to nest, and the water off the main beach has reef close enough to snorkel from shore.
What to see and do
Climb the Celarain lighthouse for the view over the south of the island.
See El Caracol, the small Maya temple near the lighthouse.
Watch crocodiles and birds from the towers at Laguna Colombia.
Snorkel from the beach over the nearby reef.
Respect the fenced turtle-nesting areas on the beaches.
Getting there
Punta Sur is about 40 minutes from San Miguel: drive south on the coastal road past the beach clubs to the park entrance at the southern end of the island. There is no public transport, so go by rental car, scooter, jeep tour or taxi, and agree on a pickup time if you take a taxi. The park charges an entry fee and has its own hours, so check before going; the road inside is sandy.
25 km south of Cozumel
Directions from Cozumel on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Places to stay in Punta Sur
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Weather warm
Punta Sur shares the climate of Cozumel, 25 km away. The best months to visit are Feb, Mar, Apr, May.
Make Cozumel your base
Punta Sur is an easy trip from Cozumel, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Cozumel
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San Gervasio
· Archaeological site · 8 km away
Cozumel's main Maya site, a pilgrimage center for the goddess Ixchel, with small temples linked by white roads in the forest. -
Chankanaab
· Nature reserve · 9 km away
A park on the west coast with a reef for easy snorkeling from shore, a lagoon linked to the sea, and botanical gardens. -
Chen Río
· Beach · 13 km away
A sheltered cove on the wild east coast, where rocks calm the open sea enough to swim; a good stop on a drive around the island. -
El Cedral
· Town · 15 km away
The village where Cozumel was resettled in 1848; its Santa Cruz fair, around May 3, is the island's biggest traditional festival. -
Palancar Reef
· Nature reserve · 17 km away
Cozumel's most famous reef, off the island's southwest coast: coral towers, tunnels and drop-offs for divers and snorkelers.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.