Lighthouses of Mexico: Yucatán

Mexico, officially the United Mexican States (Estados Unidos Mexicanos or EUM), is the second largest country of Latin America and the largest Spanish-speaking nation in the world. With an east coast on the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea and a long west coast on the Pacific Ocean it has by far the longest coastline in Latin America and, as a result, the largest number of lighthouses.

The broad Yucatán Peninsula projects northward from southern Mexico, separating the Gulf of Mexico on the northwest from the Caribbean Sea on the southeast. The peninsula is divided into three Mexican states: Campeche in the west, Yucatán in the north, and Quintana Roo in the east. This page includes lighthouses of the state of Yucatán. Yucatán occupies the northern end of the peninsula and faces the Gulf of Mexico and its southern bight known as as the Bay of Campeche. Progreso is the state's major port.

Lighthouses of Campeche state are described on the Tabasco and Campeche page and those of Quintana Roo are on the Caribbean Coast page.

In Spanish the word for a lighthouse is faro, baliza is a beacon, isla is an island, cabo is a cape, punta is a promontory or point of land, péñon is a rock, arrecife is a reef, bahía is a bay, ría is an estuary or inlet, estrecho is a strait, río is a river, and puerto is a port or harbor.

Mexican lighthouses are managed by the Port Captains and Maritime Affairs Unit (Unidad de Capitanías de Puerto y Asuntos Marítimos, UNICAPAM). Many of the larger light stations are staffed by resident civilian keepers.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from volume J of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. Light List numbers are from NGA Publication 110 for Caribbean lights and Publication 111 for Pacific lights.

General Sources
Online List of Lights - Mexico - Gulf of Mexico
Photos by various photographers posted by Alexander Trabas.
Leuchttürme in Mexiko
Photos by Andreas Köhler.
Lighthouses in Mexico
Photos by various photographers available from Wikimedia.
World of Lighthouses - Mexico
Photos by various photographers available from Lightphotos.net.
Leuchttürme Mittelamerikas auf historischen Postkarten
Historic postcard images posted by Klaus Huelse.
Cuaderno de Faros
The Mexican light list can be downloaded in two volumes, Atlantic and Pacific.


Punta Palmas Light (El Palmar), Celestún, May 2021
Google Maps photo Alejandro Vinajera

Western Coast (Litoral Poniente) Lighthouses
* Celestún Range Front
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); white light, 1 s on, 2 s off. 13 m (43 ft) square pyramidal steel skeletal tower with gallery. Trabas has a closeup photo by Hendrik Martin Porath, Google has a distant street view, and Google has a satellite view. This is the entrance range for Celestún's small boat harbor. Located on the south side of the entrance. Site open, tower closed. CF-031-315; Admiralty J4404.2; NGA 15588.3.
* Celestún Range Rear
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); white light, 1 s on, 1 s off. 17 m (56 ft) square pyramidal steel skeletal tower with gallery. Trabas has Hendrik Martin Porath's photo of both range lights and Google has a distant street view and a satellite view. Located about 275 m (900 ft) east southeast of the front light. Site open, tower closed. CF-031-315.1; Admiralty J4404.21; NGA 15588.4.
* Celestún (1)
1883. Inactive since 1905. Approx. 10 m (33 ft) square stone tower, leaning precariously over the beach. A photo is at right, Trabas has Hendrik Martin Porath's 2018 photo, and Maria Isabel Posada has a 2022 photo. The tower has been leaning for many years but there is fear it could fall, so it is surrounded by warning signs. The light was moved to a cast iron skeletal tower in 1905.
* Celestún (3)
Date unknown (station established 1883). Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); three white flashes every 12 s. 12 m (40 ft) cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern roof is black. A photo is at right, Trabas has Hendrik Martin Porath's 2018 photo, Köhler has a photo, a good 2003 photo is available, Herbert Maldonado has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the beach in the center of Celestún, which is accessible by a paved road (RF 281) from Mérida. Site open, tower status unknown. ARLHS MEX-007; CF-031-0310; Admiralty J4404; NGA 15588.
Punta Palmas ("El Palmar")
Date unknown (around 1950?). Active; focal plane 42 m (138 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 39 m (128 ft) masonry tower with lantern and gallery, rising from 1-story keeper's house. Alejandro Vinajera's 2021 photo is at the top of this page. Claudio Olives has a 2018 photo, América Rios has a 2021 closeup, a street view from the gallery is available, and Google has a satellite view. This is Mexico's tallest traditional lighthouse (the modern Gran Puerto de Cancún tower is taller). In fact, it is the tallest lighthouse of Middle America, so it deserves much better recognition; its remote location has kept it relatively unknown. It is generally known by its nickname, El Palmar. Located at the end of federal highway 281, near the northwestern corner of the peninsula, north of Celestún. Accessible by boat or by 4WD vehicle over dirt roads from Celestún. Site and tower open. ARLHS MEX-125; CF-031-305; Admiralty J4406; NGA 15592.

Celestún Light, Celestún, March 2016
Google Maps photo by jcruzmendoza

Alacranes (Scorpion) Reef Lighthouses
The Arrecife Alacranes (Scorpion Reef) is in the Gulf about 50 km (30 mi) north of Progreso. The largest reef of the Campeche Bank in the southern Gulf of Mexico, it is protected as a national park.

Isla Pérez (Scorpion Reef, Arrecife Alacrán) (2)
Date unknown (station established 1901). Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); two white flashes every 8 s. 18 m (59 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Several 1-story keeper's houses. This is a staffed station. A 2021 photo by Alan Jesus Cutz Varguez is at right, Desiderio Caamal Hoyos has a fine closeup and a more distant view, Trabas has Capt. Theo Hinrichs's view from the sea, and Google has a satellite view. Formerly painted all red, the lighthouse was repainted with its red and white pattern around 2005. The original lighthouse was one of nine cast iron towers given to Mexico by the British government and built by the British firm Chance Brothers. The original wood keeper's house survives in poor condition; there is interest in Progreso in restoring it. The cay is at the south end of the Alacranes Reef about 50 km (30 mi) northeast of Progreso. Accessible only by boat; transportation from Progreso can be hired. Site status unknown. ARLHS MEX-085; CF-031-440; Admiralty J4414; NGA 15596.
Isla Desterrada
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); four white flashes every 16 s. 8 m (26 ft) square pyramidal skeletal tower. Trabas has Capt. Peter Mosselberger's view from the sea but the tower is very hard to see in Google's indistinct satellite view. Located on an islet on the northwestern side of Arrecife Alacrán. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed.CF-031-460; Admiralty J4412; NGA 15600.
Isla Pajaros
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); white flash every 6 s. 7 m (23 ft) square pyramidal skeletal tower. Trabas has Capt. Theo Hinrichs's view from the sea but the tower is not seen in Google's indistinct satellite view. Located on an islet on the southeastern side of Arrecife Alacrán. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed.CF-031-265.3; Admiralty J4414.5; NGA 15598.

Isla Pérez Light, Arrecife Alacranes, July 2021
Google Maps photo by Alan Jesus Cutz Varguez

Progreso Metropolitan Region Lighthouses
Progreso is the principal seaport of Yucatán state; it is a fishing port, a containship terminal, and also a frequent port of call for cruise ships bringing tourists to view nearby Maya ruins. The population of Progreso is only about 55,000, but the port serves the state capital of Mérida, a city of about one million residents.

Sisal
Date unknown (station established 1852). Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); three white flashes every 12 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on the walls of a colonial fort, the Fuerte de Sisal. Tower painted with red and white horizontal bands; lantern painted black. Google's 2023 street view is at right, Wikimedia has Armando Alberto Silva Aguilar's photo, Trabas has Hendrik Martin Porath's photo, Alejandro Arroyo Cuevas has a closeup photo, Köhler has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. NGA has lowered the focal plane of this light from 22 m, so the light may have been relocated to a lower tower. More information is needed on this site. Located in Sisal, the historic seaport of the Yucatán, about 40 km (25 mi) northwest of Mérida. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MEX-019; CF-031-445; Admiralty J4409; NGA 15604.
* Yucalpetén (Yukalpetén) Range Front
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); white light, 1 s on, 2 s off. 12 m (39 ft) square pyramidal steel skeletal tower with gallery. The front of the tower is covered with a red slatted daymark. Google has a street view and an indistinct satellite view. This is the entrance range for Progreso's harbor and the Laguna de Yucalpetén. Located on the docks on the west side of the harbor. Site open, tower closed. CF-031-175; Admiralty J4411; NGA 15617.
Yucalpetén (Yukalpetén) Range Rear
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); white light, 1 s on, 1 s off. 16 m (52 ft) square pyramidal white steel skeletal tower with gallery. Google has a 2021 street view (this light on the right) but the tower is not seen in Google's satellite view. This light was moved about 100 m to the north around 2018. Located in a drydock area 65 m (215 ft) south of the front light. Site status unknown. CF-031-175.1; Admiralty J4411.1; NGA 15617.1.

Sisal Light, Sisal, Aprril 2023
Google Maps street view
** Progreso (2)
1893 (station established 1874). Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); white flash every 6 s. 33 m (108 ft) tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white; lantern roof is black. A 2023 photo is available, Trabas has Hendrik Martin Porath's photo, Köhler has a nice closeup, Michael Vinson has a 2007 closeup, Jon Lebkowski has a 2009 photo, and Google has the 2024 street view seen at right and a satellite view. Progreso is the modern seaport of the Yucatán, about 32 km (20 mi) north of Mérida. Located in the downtown section of the city, two blocks from the ocean. Site open, tower open with keeper's permission. . ARLHS MEX-086; CF-031-435; Admiralty J4416; NGA 15620.
Progreso Range Front
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); white flash every 3 s. 16 m (52 ft) square skeletal tower mounted on a square platform supported by piles. Trabas has Capt. Peter Mosselberger's photo and Google has a satellite view. This is an approach range for cruise ships arriving in Progreso. Located off the west end of the cruise ship pier. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. CF-031-165.2; Admiralty J4416.15; NGA 15629.
Progreso Range Rear
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); white light, 1 s on, 1 s off. 24 m (79 ft) square skeletal tower mounted on a square platform supported by piles. Trabas has Capt. Peter Mosselberger's photo and Bing has an indistinct satellite view. Located about 1 km (0.6 mi) southwest of the front light. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. CF-031-165.3; Admiralty J4416.16; NGA 15629.1.

Progreso Light, Progreso, October 2024
Google Maps street view

Central Coast (Litoral Centro) Lighthouses
* Telchac
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); three white flashes every 8 s. 12 m (39 ft) concrete tower with four ribs, lantern and gallery. Gabriela Puch Hernández has the 2020 photo at right, Trabas has Hendrik Martin Porath's photo, Köhler has a photo, Obed Franco has a photo, Google has a street view and a beach view, and the tower rises between buildings in Google's satellite view. Located just off the beach at Telchac Puerto about 55 km (33 mi) east of Progreso. Site open. ARLHS MEX-150; CF-031-430; Admiralty J4418; NGA 15632.
* Dzilám de Bravo (2)
Date unknown (station established 1960s?). Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); white flash every 6 s. Approx. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical white concrete tower with lantern, gallery, and four ribs. Trabas has Hendrik Martin Porath's photo, Wikimedia has a photo, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located about 700 m (0.4 mi) west of the harbor entrance at Dzilám de Bravo, about 25 km (15 mi) east of Telchac. Site open, tower closed. CF-031-455; Admiralty J4419; NGA 15636.
Dzilám de Bravo West Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); red flash every 5 s. 9 m (30 ft) square skeletal tower. Trabas has Hendrik Martin Porath's photo, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located on the west breakwater at the Dzilám de Bravo harbor entrance. Accessible only by boat (the breakwater is not walkable). Site open, tower closed. CF-31-135; Admiralty J4419.4; NGA 15636.1.
Dzilám de Bravo East Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); green flash every 5 s. 9 m (30 ft) square skeletal tower. Trabas has Hendrik Martin Porath's photo, and Google has a satellite view and a street view of both breakwater lights. Located on the east breakwater at the Dzilám de Bravo harbor entrance. Accessible only by boat (the breakwater is not walkable). Site open, tower closed. CF-31-130; Admiralty J4419.3; NGA 15636.2.

Telchac Light, Telchac Puerto, February 2020
Google Maps photo by Gabriela Puch Hernández

Eastern Coast (Litoral Orente) Lighthouses
Yalkubul (2)
Date unknown (station established 1909). Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); four white flashes every 16 s. 20 m (66 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted with red and white horizontal bands. Two 1-story keeper's houses. A photo is available and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse is gravely endangered by beach erosion and the government announced a beach stabilization project designed to protect it. Apparently this project was carried out by the U.S.-based Reef Ball Foundation, which has several photos of the effort. However, it's clear that the lighthouse is still standing in the surf., as seen in a 2023 closeup. and a 2025 photo by Roberto Manuel Escalante Carvajal.The light station is located in a nature reserve, the Parque Natural San Felipe. Located on the beach about 120 km (75 mi) east of Progreso and 15 mi (25 km) west of Río Lagartos. The station is probably accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS MEX-092; CF-031-450; Admiralty J4420; NGA 15640.
* Río Lagartos
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 20 m (66 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. Keeper's house. Trabas has a photo, Rodney Shupe has a photo, Luis Arceo has a 2010 closeup, Köhler has a photo, aa 2023 drone view is availavle, and Google has a 2023 street view and a satellite view. Located on the tip of a peninsula in Río Lagartos. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS MEX-129; CF-031-390; Admiralty J4421; NGA 15644.
*** El Cuyo (Monte de Cuyo) (2)
Date unknown (station established 1907). Active; focal plane 26 m (85 ft); three white flashes every 12 s. Approx. 12 m (40 ft) cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands, built atop a Mayan ruin. Thorsten Siering's 2021 photo is at right, Trabas has Köhler's 2010 photo, the Villa Xamen-nah resort has additional photos (halfway down the page), and Google has a 2023 street view and a satellite view. The lighthouse was repaired after being damaged by Hurricane Wilma in October 2005. Located on the main street in El Cuyo, a beach town about 30 miles west of Cabo Catoche. Site open; keys to the lighthouse are available from the port captain's office. ARLHS MEX-116; CF-031-005; Admiralty J4422; NGA 15648.
[El Cuyo Range Rear]
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); white light, 1 s on, 1 s off. 14 m (46 ft) mast painted with red and white horizontal bands. Google has a 2023 street view and a satellite view. The front light is on a post. Located behind the harbor area in El Cuyo. Site status unknown. CF-031-010.1; Admiralty J4422.51; NGA 15650.1.

El Cuyo Light, El Cuyo, December 2021
Google Maps photo by Thorsten Siering

Information available on lost lighthouses

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: Southeast: Caribbean Coast | Southwest: Tabasco and Campeche

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Posted December 2004. Checked and revised April 16, 2025. Lighthouses: 21. Site copyright 2025 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.