Punta Sur facts for kids
Punta Sur is the southernmost tip of Cozumel, a beautiful island in Mexico. It's home to the Parque Punta Sur, a huge nature park covering about 247 acres (1 square kilometer). This park protects amazing reefs, sandy beaches, calm lagoons, and a low forest. The reefs here are also part of the Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park, which helps keep the ocean healthy.
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Exploring Punta Sur Park
This big park is a special place where you can explore different parts of nature. It includes vibrant reefs under the water, soft sandy beaches, peaceful lagoons, and a unique low forest. The park helps protect all these different environments and the animals that live there.
The Lighthouse and Ancient Temple
The Celarain lighthouse (also called Faro de Celarain) stands tall on the Punta Sur point. You can visit it and learn about its history at a small nautical museum inside.
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Just a short walk from the lighthouse is the Caracol (or Tumba del Caracol). This is an ancient building made by the Maya people a long time ago. Some people say it was a weather alarm that would whistle before a hurricane, or that it was a lighthouse sending signals. But these are just fun stories! The Caracol was actually a temple, a special place for the Maya people.
Amazing Wildlife and Nature
Punta Sur is a very important place for sea turtles. Some of the sandy beaches are protected so that sea turtles can lay their eggs safely. Later, the baby turtles hatch and make their way to the ocean.
At the Columbia lagoon, you can find observation towers. These towers are great for watching different kinds of wildlife, especially birds. You might even spot a crocodile! If you take a guided boat ride on the Colombia Lagoon, you can see many birds, enjoy the views, and look for crocodiles. This boat ride is usually included in your park entrance fee.
Fun Activities at Punta Sur
If you love the ocean, Punta Sur has some exciting spots. The Devil's Throat is a famous area for scuba diving. If you prefer staying closer to the surface, you can go snorkeling in the nearby reefs and see colorful fish and corals.
The park also has dirt roads that are perfect for off-road vehicles. Some tours use these roads to take visitors on guided adventures through the park. At the end of the dirt road, you'll find two beach clubs: Papito's Beach Club Restaurant and Bar, and the Punta Sur Beach Club. These are great places to relax and enjoy the beach after exploring the park.
See also
- Yucatan Peninsula
- Cozumel
- Cancun
- Cozumel (archaeological site)
- In Spanish: Punta Sur (Cozumel) for kids
