Punta Sur lighthouse. Punta Sur lighthouse. Credit: Wikimedia (Creative Commons License)

Punta Sur Eco Beach Park combines one of the better known beaches on Cozumel with the largest ecological reserve on the island.

Attractions include the historic Celarain Lighthouse, boat rides across the Colombia Lagoon, crocodiles in their natural habitat, bird watching and the Navigation and Cultural Museum.

“A natural state reserve with over 1,000 hectares filled with a wide variety of flora, fauna and lagoon systems. Its the ideal place for nature lovers. With its white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and numerous sea fan gardens that extend through out the reef,” the park website says.

Services and facilities include restaurants, snack bars, restrooms, showers, souvenir stands and free parking. The beach has life guards, according to Cozumel Parks. It also is a popular snorkeling site.

The park is 20 miles from the San Miguel cruise port on the southern tip of the island. Driving time is about 40 minutes.

Park Prices

Entry fees at the time of this writing are $14 for adults and children over 11 and $8 for children ages three to 11.

Anyone who arrives by cruise and rents a car may save money by driving there rather than buying through a cruise line. 

Some cruise lines include Punta Sur in shore excursions. For example, Carnival offered a Punta Sur snorkeling trip via Jeep at $100 for anyone 13 and above and $85 for children ages 8 to 12. The total trip time is five hours.

Such an excursion breaks down to $14 for the park ticket and $86 for the Jeep for each adult.

Budget-minded cruise visitors will pay for less for a rental car.

Royal Caribbean also offers a Jeep excursion to Punta Sur along with a snorkeling experience. Prices start at about $79 per adult and $74 per child.

The park is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Visitors who drive to Punta Sur from the San Miguel cruise port can easily stop at El Cedral about halfway along the route. El Cedral is the oldest Mayan ruins on the island, although little remains.

The Parks and Museums Foundation of Cozumel manages Punta Sur. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting cultural and social programs that benefit Cozumel.

“Entering Punta Sur is to transport yourself to a natural paradise filled with diversity of birds and animals, many of which are endemic to the island. There is also a scenic tower to observe crocodiles in their natural habitat and a museum light house with the most spectacular view,” the park website says.