Punta Sur Lighthouse

Posted by Jodi on 04/11/03

We've been there 3 or 4 times...

We love it. We plan a day around it. I always have to walk up the lighthouse (my husband patiently waits at the bottom for me - what a guy!) and then we take the truck ride over to the beaches. If you're a nature lover, make sure you take the 'catamaran' (it's actually a pontoon)ride. They circle around an island that is nesting grounds for a bunch of different species of birds & it's loaded with critters - egrets, herons, cranes, etc. They're very beautiful. The beaches there are great, too, but I've heard there isn't much for snorkeling. However, the guys with the coolers are great fun to talk to & will help you with your Spanish, and in turn you can help them with their English. There aren't many people on the beaches there, either, so you're certain to find a nice secluded spot. Oh, and the crocodiles are fun. We saw one that was at least 6' long the last time, and the time before that an employee of the park took a plastic grocery bag, crinkled it up & called the crocs in. We saw probably 5 or 6 & it was fun to watch them swim up to the dock. So yes, it's definitely worth the cost. If you go to Chankanaab & Punta Sur, there is a deal were you can get a pass for admittance to both parks & the museum downtown for $20 per person. It includes the boat ride. Have fun!

The lighthouse tour is kinda neat and the view from the top is breathtaking. There is a lagoon tour (boat ride) included that is very informative and often includes crocodile sightings. There is a very nice beach for laying around, but the snorkeling is not that great. Mostly sand with a reef system about 100 meters off shore. The staff uaually brings an ice chest with cerveza and sodas for sale.

Posted by Bob P on 04/11/03

Posted by SoozieQ on 05/17/01

We were there on May 3rd. Arrived at Punta Sur about noon. The price was $15.00 per person. We talked with some people who came in around 2:30 p.m. They only paid $10.00 per person. We were told that the price was different because the people who came in later would not be able to take the boat ride in time. But this was incorrect because we spoke with them while we were all on the boat tour of the lagoon. And, yes, we saw the crocodiles. Largest was about 3 meters.

Posted by Jodi on 03/04/01

Last year we were able to manuveur around the beaches with a guy named Cesar on his ATV. Great guy, he loaded four of us on the ATV and away we went. It was one of the highlights of our trip. It's well worth visiting. It'll cost you to get in, but last year we went to Chankanaab first & we were able to buy discounted tickets for the lighthouse at Chankanaab. I'd highly recommend going.

By the way, we're leaving the 12th - maybe we'll see you around!

Posted by Shell on March 20, 2000

We were disappointed that you can no longer go up in the lighthouse (we have some fantastic shots from up there), but in general I have to say they've done a low-key job of preserving the area. They're especially fanatic about controlling trash in the park. Admission is $50 pesos per person but be forewarned that not everything that appears on the map is completed. Currently, you can go to the visitor's center (where you park) and take a tram to the lighthouse then back to the lookout (mirador) and beach bar/restaurant. There's another lookout west of the lighthouse, but you'll have to walk. Also, a beach with restaurant, snorkeling, etc., is on the map but we were told it won't be built anytime soon.

Posted by tori on March 20, 2000

We just got back yesterday. We drove to Punta Sur on Thursday. Paid only $5. due to the fact we were staying at the Reef Club. Would be $10. normally. When you first arrive and park. We stayed a little less than an hour at most. Beginning with the big pavillian, they have parrots you can hold but not photograph unless you pay $5. Another interesting island chap is the quadomundo(sp?)Mexican Racoon who was hanging around...so cute. You get in a big open truck and are taken to the lighthouse, which you cannot climb, but a wonderful little museum which I found quite interesting on the history of the point and the lighthouse. You can go down and watch the awesome waves breaking the rocks here. A bit windy!!Still cool. There are bathrooms at that location. You can get back on the truck that comes and goes with tourists. Only a handful each time. Never saw it crowded. Next we were taken to the lookout point manned by Jorge who asked us if we wanted to get close up photos of the crocodile down in the swamp. My two daughters,age 14 & 12 and hubby myself and another fellow from Chicago followed Jorge down a wooden rigged path through the black mucky mud and got about 15 feet away from the crock. Jorge pulled out a package of chicken from the supermarket and began to toss it out to one and said get ready to click. We got some good shots I hope(they develop ok).It was cool. A real highlight. He fed it about 4 pieces and asked us if we wanted to feed it more we said "No, just save for next time." Then we returned back to the lookout point. We were kind of disappointed since we did not get to see any flamingos. It was too windy we were told. We saw a few small ruins next to the road and went to the restauraunt had Cerveza, a Loco Coco (cocoanut drink-not bad) and the girls had lemonade.Pricey. We saw a handful of lizards and two that were fighting with one another. It was a good experience for the girls. We enjoyed that afternoon as we continued driving around the Island. If you want to snorkel anywhere there you need to walk about 1 mile through the area that is under construction. Hopefully this will help some.

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