Punta Sur

Welcome to Punta Sur, pronounced Poon-tah Soor. As an environmental historian, I am thrilled to introduce you to the largest ecological reserve on the island of Cozumel. …

Our first major point of interest within the reserve is the Colombia Lagoon. We are heading toward the elevated wooden observation tower, constructed specifically to provide a safe, commanding view of this vital wetland ecosystem. …

We now approach the most iconic man made structure in the park: the Celarain Lighthouse, or Faro Celerain. Standing stark white against the brilliant blue Caribbean sky, this lighthouse has guarded the treacherous southern tip of…

It is time for a physical challenge that yields an unparalleled reward. We are going to climb to the summit of the Celarain Lighthouse. …

Having descended from the dizzying heights of the lighthouse, we step into the cool, shaded interior of the base buildings to explore the Museum of Navigation. This small but fascinating museum provides the crucial historical…

Leaving the maritime history behind, we venture inward along the nature trails toward one of the Yucatan's most defining geological features: a cenote. A cenote is a natural sinkhole resulting from the collapse of limestone…

Our final destination within Punta Sur brings us to the very edge of the Caribbean Sea. We are walking out onto the pristine, white sand beaches that run along the park's coastline. …

As our exploration of Punta Sur Eco Beach Park concludes, take a final, deep breath of the salty Caribbean air. We have journeyed through a remarkable cross section of natural and human history today. …