Punta Sur and driving Around the Island?

[CUFETZ]

We will be in Cozumel 2/23 and I am wondering about driving around the island post-Wilma. Having done this before we rented a car and drove the road that circles the island stopping along at various beaches and touring Punta Sur. I have heard that Punta Sur is not operational-was there damage to the lighthouse area? Also, Is the road open around the island now or do alternate routes need to be taken to reach the east side from the west?

[bruce-r]

The road is open all the way around the island. Punta Sur is open, but only to jeep tours AFAIK. We did the around the island tour a couple of times in December.

[CUFETZ]

Thanks bruce-r for the quick response-so no way to reach the lighthouse except the jeep tour? Also wondering about hiring a cab for the day-have seen recent threads quoting anywhere from $60-$150 for the day. I talking a reguar car for 4 people.

[solita]

Correct...you can not venture into Punta Sur without a 4 wheel drive. And rental companies do not rent out or if they do, will not cover you insurance wise if you go "off-road".

[bruce-r]

Yah, even in a rental jeep, stay on the paved roads. Rental jeeps have their 4 wheel drive shift linkage disconnected, so even if you wanted to use 4 wheel drive, you wouldn't be able to engage it.

[jsaadat]

You can go all the way around...... we did it Chirstmas week. We do that everytime we go there. Sr. Iguanas at the N tip was open for food......... GREAT FOOD. Also Coconuts opens after noon I think.

 

J

[Lightsluvr]

We were at Punta Sur on 1/13/2006. It is closed. You can pull off the road for (telephoto) pix of the lighthouse, but the road is washed out and they is a guard at the entry gate turning tourists away. Construction equipment is parked near the gate, so it is pbvious they are starting to work on it. The road around the island is completed and passable. Amazing what they have done in just a few months...

 

LL