Punta Sur forms the rocky southern tip of Isla Mujeres and is the complete opposite of Playa Norte.

You won’t find a sandy beach or calm waters for swimming here, but rather high cliffs, the waves of the Caribbean Sea, viewpoints and a path leading along the coast.

Don’t come here primarily for the Mayan ruins or sculptures. The main reasons to visit are the cliffs and the sea views.

Practical information
Admission	120 mxn
Opening hours	Daily 6.00 am to 8.00 pm
Recommended duration of visit	1 hour
Distance from the harbour	approximately 7 km
Location	View on Google Maps

What to see at Punta Sur

Even before you reach the paid entrance, there are several souvenir shops, restaurants and an upper viewing point.

You can therefore see part of the cliffs and the sea for free.

A circular walk begins just past the ticket office, descending closer to the sea and continuing along the rocky coastline.

From below, the height of the cliffs stands out more clearly, and in several places you’ll be standing just a few metres from the waves crashing against the rocks.

The site also features more than 20 modern sculptures and the small remains of a Mayan structure traditionally associated with the goddess Ixchel.

Don’t expect the ruins to be an archaeological site on a par with Tulum or Chichén Itzá. The site is very small and, on its own, wouldn’t be worth travelling across the whole island for.

Is it worth paying the entrance fee?

Yes. Although you can see the sea and part of the cliffs from the free upper section, the best coastal path is located just beyond the ticket office.

The entrance fee is 120 mxn, and you should allow around 45 minutes for the entire paid tour. Allow about an hour if you plan to take photos and stop at the upper viewpoint.

Card payments may not always be available, so do bring some cash as well.

How to get to Punta Sur

Punta Sur is about 7 km from the harbour and Playa Norte. We wouldn’t walk there.

The route takes you mainly through a built-up part of the island; it isn’t particularly interesting and, in the heat, would take over an hour.

Taxi

If you only want to visit Punta Sur and then return to the centre, the easiest and usually cheapest option is a taxi.

The journey from the harbour or Playa Norte takes about 15 minutes and costs around 250 mxnone way. Make sure you agree on the price before getting in.

Before leaving Punta Sur, you can arrange a return time with the driver. However, taxis usually wait at the entrance as well.

Golf buggy

A golf buggy makes sense if you want to tour the whole island in a single day and stop off at other beaches or viewpoints as well.

For a full-day hire, expect to pay around 1 500 mxn. The journey itself from the centre to Punta Sur takes about 20 minutes.

Renting a golf buggy just to visit Punta Sur isn’t worth it financially. A taxi or bus will work out cheaper.

Bus

The cheapest transport is provided by the local bus marked as the Punta Sur route. A single journey costs approximately 20 mxn.

Buses do not currently depart directly from the passenger terminal. After disembarking from the ferry, turn right and walk for about 5 minutes to the Ultracarga terminal at the start of the airport grounds.

The route runs through the western part of the island, passing hotels, Garrafón Park and Punta Sur. It continues back to the centre along the east coast.

There is no fixed timetable. The bus usually arrives roughly once every 30 minutes, but do not rely on specific times. 

When to visit Punta Sur

The best conditions are early in the morning. The trails offer almost no shade and it tends to get very hot here at midday.

Punta Sur lies on the eastern edge of Isla Mujeres and is particularly famous for watching the sunrise. The site opens as early as 6.00 am, but don’t expect buses or shops to be open at this time. You’ll need a taxi or your own golf buggy.

Another good option is to arrive later in the afternoon, when temperatures start to drop. However, you’ll get a better view of the sunset itself from the west coast of Isla Mujeres.

If you want to visit Punta Sur at sunrise, it’s worth staying on the island for at least one night. You won’t be able to get there from Cancún by public ferry before the park opens.

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Punta Sur on a day trip from Cancún

Punta Sur is well worth a visit if you’re spending the whole day on Isla Mujeres and travelling to the island independently by ferry.

The ideal plan is to head straight to Punta Sur upon arrival at the harbour and save Playa Norte for the afternoon. The beach is close to the harbour, so you won’t have to rush across the whole island before your ferry departs.

If you’re visiting on an organised catamaran trip from Cancún, you usually won’t get to Punta Sur. These trips typically stop at a beach club and then allow a limited amount of free time in the centre or at Playa Norte.

If Punta Sur is your main destination, opt for a separate ferry crossing and continue around the island by taxi, bus or golf buggy.

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Isla Mujeres.