Punta Cometa Oaxaca: Your Guide to Sunset in Mazunte

Silhouetted against the setting sun, about 15 people sit in a line along the edge of the cliff to watch the sunset at Punta Cometa.

Sunset in Mazunte is elevated by the sacred hills of Punta Cometa.

As the most southern point in Oaxaca, Punta Cometa is made up of three ridges that extend into the Pacific Ocean.

In the winter, it’s a place where you can see whales navigating the seas below and birds migrating overhead. 

Each evening, residents and visitors hike to Punta Cometa for views of the setting sun. But it’s not just a place to visit for a beautiful Mazunte sunset.

If you’re like me, you’ll find yourself making the trek to Punta Cometa more than once.

Use this guide to learn everything you need to know to discover this sacred place yourself and why you should visit for more than sunset.

About 30 people gather on the top of the cliff at Punta Cometa to watch the sunset while waves roll into the sandy cove below.

This article may contain affiliate links. This means if you click a link on our blog and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. For full information, please see our disclosure.

Hiking Punta Cometa

I discovered that a morning hike with the rising sun is just as fulfilling when you’re staying in Mazunte Oaxaca. It’s also a bit more tranquil with almost no other people. Bring your bathing suit for a morning swim at Playa Punta Cometa if the ocean allows. It’s a small beach located between the principal and middle paths.

My best advice for sunset at Punta Cometa?

Don’t get lost in solely watching the ocean and the setting sun. Look around you! The moon is rising. Clear blue waves are carving the rocks. And frigate birds are gliding through the sky just above your head.

Allow yourself to fully take in the serenity of the ethereal ridges of Punta Cometa. Then point your attention back to the sea, the setting sun, and the layers of waves rhythmically flowing in and out over the beach. It’s like a form of meditation, assuming you can block out the crowd of 30 of your closet strangers nearby.

Several people hike along the pathway to Punta Cometa in Mazunte Oaxaca. On the left, cliffs that drop into the ocean.

Brief History of Punta Cometa Oaxaca

Also called Cerro Sagrado, or Sacred Hill, Punta Cometa has a history as a sacred site. In Mesoamerica it was used as a ceremonial center. And rumor says the Aztecs buried treasure here.

With 180-degree views of the ocean, it was also a strategic site for the Aztecs who built a small stone wall. A portion of the wall, called Corral Piedra, remains today.

Look around! The moon is rising. Clear blue waves are carving the rocks. And frigate birds are gliding through the sky just above your head.

– Julien Casanova, author

How to Get to Punta Cometa Mazunte

To hike to Punta Cometa, walk down the main street of Rinconcito to Camino Mermejita. This road leads up the hill and eventually to Mermejita Beach. After about five minutes, you’ll see a cemetery on the left and then a road with a group of signs, including one for Punta Cometa.

Follow the trail until you arrive at the entrance. Here you will find a paved circular area with some seating. There is also a park worker in the evenings who keeps count of the people arriving, answers questions, and ensures people are safe. 

Update 2024 – The community now asks for a small donation to enter Punta Cometa which helps to conserve the area.

One evening, I saw one man in a group get stopped because of the beer in his hand. He did allow him to guzzle it before continuing on his way (because viva Mexico!). But please note, this is not the place to drink alcohol. The cliffs are steep, the sea is forceful, and the place is magical. Your full attention is required.

Watching the Sunset at Punta Cometa

From afar, two people stand on the hill in front of the ocean and sunset at Punta Cometa, Oaxaca.

Next, you’ll need to decide which path to take to Punta Cometa. All three paths deliver interesting views, each with different characteristics.

I encourage you to arrive early enough to hike all of the trails before the sun sets. Once you arrive at the viewpoints, you will discover that all the paths connect via various trails.

The principal route on the left leads to the point positioned furthest into the ocean. Along the way, the paths are the widest and in some points steepest with several beautiful vistas of Rinconcito Bay behind you. 

This vantage point allows you to see every ridge of Punta Cometa between you and the setting sun. And its position makes the ocean below feels all-encompassing as the waves crash towards you, into the rocks. It’s also the most crowded viewpoint at Punta Cometa.

The middle path, Pescador, opens up to rolling green hills that seem to crest and swell with the waves. The viewpoint is a rounded green hill that is positioned towards the sun and descends to the rocks below.

And the shortest path, located on the right, leads to the point located closest to the sunset. From this point, the sun streams over the black volcanic sands of Mermejita Beach as the waves flow over the shoreline in layers.

Read NextMy Favorite Restaurants in Mazunte

What time should I go to Punta Cometa?

A silhouetted couple walk along the backlit Mermejita Beach during sunset in Mazunte.

You can go to Punta Cometa at any time of day. I love arriving for sunrise as you’ll likely have the hills to yourself.

If you go in the evening, you should start the hike to Punta Cometa at least an hour before sunset.

But I recommend giving yourself even more time. Some of the best light filters through the clouds, across Mermejita beach, and vibrantly lights the hillside long before the sun touches the horizon. 

Plus, a gorgeous sunset isn’t guaranteed. For those times, it’s nice to have the extra time to marvel at the other beautiful elements surrounding you.

Check out this article about the best beaches in Oaxaca to discover more Oaxaca beach towns.

Day Trip to Punta Cometa

If you’re staying outside of Mazunte, it is possible to take a day trip to Punta Cometa. I recommend making a full day of it since it takes 1-2 hours to get to Punta Cometa from Puerto Escondido or Huatulco.

I’ve included details below, including tour options and directions by public transport.

If you have enough time, you can arrive to Punta Cometa on your own although I recommend renting a car or staying the night since public transportation stops shortly after dark. For a budget stay, I highly recommend Cabanas Balamjuyuc with amazing ocean views (see below).

Looking past the hammock and cabin sitting area at Cabanas Balamjuyuc, a hostel in Mazunte, is the ocean view along the mountainous coastline. Above, the morning sky transitions from dark blue-purple clouds to bright orange and yellows.

Punta Cometa from Puerto Escondido

If you need to maximize your time, you should book this tour to Punta Cometa from Puerto Escondido which includes exploring Mazunte, Zipolite, and Ventanilla.

To get to Punta Cometa from Puerto Escondido using public transport, follow the directions below. It will take almost two hours.

  • Take a colectivo or bus towards Pochutla and ask to get off at San Antonio (map)
  • Wait for another camioneta (pickup truck) to Mazunte.
  • Get off in Mazunte, walk through the town, and follow the hike to Punta Cometa

Punta Cometa from Huatulco

Again, if you prefer to have everything taken care of or are short on time, you should book this tour to Punta Cometa from Huatulco which includes time to explore Mazunte.

To get to Punta Cometa from Huatulco using public transport, you’ll first need to get to Pochutla. There are vans that run regularly when full for 50 pesos. The location is here, in the north area of La Crucecita. 

From there, ask for the colectivos to Mazunte or walk towards the bright yellow sign for Elektra. At the next corner, you’ll see people waiting for the camionetas in front of Hotel Alebrijes.

Final Thoughts on Punta Cometa

I think watching sunset in Mazunte from Punta Cometa is a must do when visiting the area. Whether you spend your time meditating to the ocean waves or basking in the beauty of the setting sun, your sunset at Punta Cometa will be elevated.