Punta Cometa: How to Visit the Mazunte Sunset Spot Like a Local
Want to visit Punta Cometa in Oaxaca?
You’ve come to the right place because I have done the hike to Punta Cometa Mazunte. In this article, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about visiting Punta Cometa Oaxaca — including what I did wrong on my visit!
While the Oaxaca beach town and Mexico pueblo magico (magic town) of Mazunte is small, there’s plenty to do and see once you arrive. However, at the top of any Mazunte things to do list, you’ll find Punta Cometa.
If you’re wondering, What’s so special about Punta Cometa anyway?! — keep reading because this article tells you everything you need to know about Punta Cometa, including its history and how to visit today.
A Brief History of Punta Cometa Oaxaca
What is Punta Cometa Mazunte?
Punta Cometa was used in pre-Hispanic times as a ceremonial center. Today, it is a gathering place for Mazunte visitors and locals alike — and the best spot in town to see the epic Mazunte sunsets.
Punta Cometa (AKA Cerro Sagrada, or Sacred Hill) is a point of land that juts into the Pacific Ocean. The rocky cape at Punta Cometa is the southernmost point in Oaxaca Mexico.
Given its unique geographic position at the southernmost point in Oaxaca state, visitors get to enjoy 180° views of the Pacific Ocean just below you. It is one of the best places to visit in Oaxaca, and a must see Mazunte site.
Where is Punta Cometa Mazunte?
Punta Cometa Oaxaca is located in Mazunte, Mexico. This is one of the most popular beach towns in Oaxaca, Mexico, and one of the pueblos magicos (magic towns) in Oaxaca state.
🗺️ Punta Cometa Map
How to Get to Punta Cometa Mazunte
There are two places in Mazunte where you can start the hike to Punta Cometa.
One Punta Cometa entrance is on the southern end of Playa Rinconcito Beach. From here, you’ll see the trail to take up the side of the hill which consists of about 200 stairs. The beach entrance point is here.
The other is on Camino Mermejita in town. This entrance is near Cabañas Amaia, one of the best Mazunte hotels. The town entry to Punta Cometa is here. You don not need to reserve any Punta Cometa tours for the hike.
⚠️ Do not take the staircase path from the beach
I took the beach path, which means I had to climb up about 200 extra stairs than those who enter from Camino Mermejita in town. The beach path is considered the long way to Punta Cometa, as it’s harder than the in-town path.
I’d suggest you not make the same mistake I did, and take the Camino Mermejita path from downtown Mazunte. If you do the beach path, grab a bottle of water from one of the vendors right by the entrance to the staircase.
How to get to Punta Cometa from Puerto Escondido
Mazunte is about 1.5 hours from Puerto Escondido in normal traffic. You can take a taxi (there’s no Uber in Oaxaca), the colectivo (shared van or pick-up truck), or drive yourself.
If you’re renting a car in Puerto Escondido, drive to Mazunte, park here near the Tourist Information Center, then walk to the Punta Cometa Oaxaca entrance on Camino Mermejita. From here, the hike is about 20 minutes.
How to get to Punta Cometa from Huatulco
Mazunte is about 1.5 hours from Huatulco in normal traffic. You can take a taxi (there’s no Uber in Oaxaca), the colectivo (shared van or pick-up truck), or drive yourself.
If you’re renting a car in Huatulco, drive to Mazunte, park here near the Tourist Information Center, then walk to the Punta Cometa entrance on Camino Mermejita. From here, the hike is about 20 minutes.
Hiking the Punta Cometa Trail
The hike to Punta Cometa in Mazunte can be a little challenging for some, but it’s also only about a 20-30 minute hike, so it go by fast. Once you reach the Punta Cometa viewpoint, you’ll see it was totally worth it.
🐋 Visiting Mazunte in winter? You’ll likely see some whales from here, especially if you visit Punta Cometa for sunrise.
The hike is quite hilly, with lots of ups and downs. It has about the same level of difficulty when you hike to Punta Cometa, as when hike back to Mazunte.
Since you’ll really work up an appetite after this hike, head to one of these best restaurants in Mazunte after you’re done. We went to La Pizzeria Mazunte, and while this was a very hyped place — it did live up to the hype 🍕❤️
Is there a Punta Cometa entrance fee?
No, but there are usually locals who stand at an entrance gate near the top of Punta Cometa and collect donations. I gave them $10 pesos to enter, which is less than $1 USD.
Sunset at Punta Cometa vs Sunrise at Punta Cometa
While there are crowds at Punta Cometa day and night, there’s no denying that hiking the Punta Cometa trail to see the sunset is one of the best things to do in Mazunte.
You can walk to Punta Cometa all day, but it’s especially popular at sunset when you’ll get some amazing views from the clifftop. At Punta Cometa, you have 180° panoramic ocean views, and you can see all the Mazunte beaches.
Punta Cometa Hike Tips & FAQ
1. What’s the best time to visit Punta Cometa?
If you want a good seat for the sunset, head up there about 45-minutes before the sun will actually set. The hike takes about 20 minutes, which leaves you some time to find a good spot, sit and relax.
As this hike, and the town of Mazunte Oaxaca itself, get more and more popular, you do need to plan ahead for this hike — at least a little. Also, make sure your camera has enough battery so you can get those epic Punta Cometa photos.
2. Is the Punta Cometa hike easy?
That will of course depend on who you ask — but I’d say it was pretty difficult, or at least moderately difficult.
Since no one person can definitively answer the How hard is the Punta Cometa hike in Mazunte? question — you probably want to hear from others. Check out these reviews of the Punta Cometa hike on All Trails for more opinions.
3. Do I need shoes for the hike to Punta Cometa?
While I saw some people do this hike in beach sandals or even barefoot, they didn’t look happy. The trail to Punta Cometa Oaxaca is completely unpaved, so footwear like sneakers or hiking sandals will come in handy.
4. What should I bring to Punta Cometa?
Your phone, this reusable water bottle and eco-friendly bug spray will come in handy. If you have a small towel, you might want to bring it unless you don’t mind sitting in the dirt.
Besides getting great photos of Punta Cometa, your phone will serve another important purpose. (📸 Pro Tip: Don’t miss the giant cactus on the Punta Cometa trail — which is probably the biggest cacti you’ll ever see.)
The trail to Punta Cometa is not lit at all. If you’re going for sunset, a flashlight or headlamp will come in handy, or just make sure your cell phone is fully charged so you can use the flashlight.
Beaches Below Punta Cometa
Playa Mermejita Beach
Playa Mermejita is the first beach found to the west of Punta Cometa. The beach is actually located in the tiny town of Mermejita, a small beach village uninhabited until recently, but everyone associates it with Mazunte.
Playa Mermejita is a virgin beach with long stretches of golden sand — and pretty much nothing else! There’s no restaurants, restrooms or services, so you’ll want to show up with everything you need for the day.
At the west end of the beach, lookout for the rock formation known as La Ventana, which means “the window” in Spanish. On the east end, there’s Toron Rock, a great place to look for dolphins, orcas, or whales.
In recent years, Playa Mermejita has become a nudist beach, though it’s not technically legal. The only legal nude beach in Mexico is in Zipolite, located about 20 minutes from Mazunte.
🏝️ How to get to Playa Mermejita Mazunte
Getting to Mermejita Beach requires a hike, but it’s worth the trek to have such a gorgeous beach nearly all to yourself. Because of said hike, Mermejita Beach usually has very few people on it.
To get there, you’ll actually take the same path you would to get to the Punta Cometa overlook. At one point, the trail will fork, and you’ll take the pathway to the right to get to Mermejita Beach.
The hiking trail is clearly noted with signs, so you won’t get lost.
Punta Cometa Beach
Located in Punta Cometa State Park, this small beach cove is accessible on the same hiking path that goes to the Punta Cometa sunset spot. It is a rustic beach with no services, so come prepared.
The waves at Playa Cometa get big, so you won’t want to swim here. However, it’s the perfect place to take in the hypnotic sounds of the Pacific Ocean. To swim, head to Playa Rinconcito, the best beach for swimming in Mazunte.
💡 Mazunte Travel Tips: If you’re looking to do any Mazunte tours, most of the local tour operators hang out at the entrance to Playa Rinconcito Beach.
Mazunte Mexico: Travel Guide & FAQ
Is Mazunte a pueblo magico?
Yes — Mazunte is one of Mexico’s 175 or so pueblos magicos (magic towns). It is one of six Oaxaca pueblos magicos, and the only Mexico pueblo magico on the coast of Oaxaca.
🤔 What is a Pueblo Magico?
The Mexico Tourism Board awards the prestigious pueblo magico distinction to special towns in the country with characteristics like natural beauty, unique culture and historic folklore.
In short, they are places travelers would want to check out.
The word pueblo literally translates to “small town,” and Mazunte is just that. There are no stoplights, and one main road going through town. There are, however, rustic-chic Mazunte hotels so visitors will be comfortable.
Where is Mazunte Mexico?
Located on the Pacific Coast Mexico, Mazunte is midway between Huatulco and Puerto Escondido. It is located just minutes from the Oaxaca beach towns of San Agustinillo and Zipolite.
🗺️ mazunte Map
Mazunte is in Oaxaca state, which is south of Mexico City, west of Chiapas state, and east of Guerrero state. It is one of the best beach towns in Oaxaca, and not far from Zipolite, San Agustinillo and Puerto Angel.
How do you get to Mazunte?
Wondering, Is there a Mazunte Airport? No — There’s no airport in Mazunte, but there are two airports located nearby.
To travel to Mazunte, you can fly to either Puerto Escondido International Airport (code: PXM), or Bahías de Huatulco International Airport (code: HUX). They are both located about one hour from Mazunte.
From either airport, you can rent a car and drive to Mazunte. This is a safe drive, but make sure you check out this Ultimate Guide to Renting a Car in Oaxaca which also has 10 Mexico driving tips.
You can also take a taxi, which will be about $50 USD. There are inexpensive colectivos (small, shared vans), which cost only a few dollars, that you can catch outside the airports on the main road.
⚠️ Note: There is no Uber in Oaxaca state, and no Lyft in Oaxaca either.
🚗 how to get to mazunte over land
Coming from Oaxaca City, Puerto Escondido or Bahías de Huatulco? You can drive your rental car to Mazunte, or opt for public transportation to Mazunte.
For a deep dive into this topic, check out this Ultimate Guide on How to Get to Mazunte Mexico.
There’s no bus stop in Mazunte, so you’ll need to make your way to the town of San Pedro Pochutla, then take a pasajero (covered pickup truck) to Mazunte. Note: The pasajero makes a short stop in San Antonio along the way.
What’s the best time to visit Mazunte?
Weather-wise, the best months to visit Mazunte and the entire Oaxaca Coast are November to April. This is the dry season, but it’s also the busy season — so you’ll get nice weather, but also larger crowds.
Need more info? Check out this article for a deep dive, Best Time to Visit Oaxaca: Month by Month Guide.
The rainy season in Oaxaca lasts from about May to October, and the coast of Oaxaca sees a lot of rain thanks to its tropical climate. Though rare, hurricanes can hit this part of Mexico, and Hurricane Season runs June 1-November 30.
In case you’re wondering, the last Mazunte hurricane was Hurricane Agatha. It hit in June 2022, and caused a lot of damage.
☀️ Mazunte Weather
If you can, plan your Mazunte vacation for the winter months, when temperatures and humidity are mild, the mosquitoes are at bay, and you can see the whales.
I visited once in December, and had perfect weather, and also once in early-October where it rained heavily each day.
If you’re visiting in summer, you can expect rain, but usually only for 1-2 hours per day in the afternoons. For some travelers, you’ll have very heavy rains, so it’s always a risk to travel to Mazunte in summer.
🦟 Oaxaca Beaches Travel Tips: Regardless of when you visit, you’ll encounter mosquitoes and other bugs on the Oaxacan Coast. Practice sustainable tourism in Mexico by using eco-friendly mosquito repellent.
Is Mazunte safe for travelers?
For the vast majority of tourists, Mazunte is quite safe to visit. As safety is a complex topic, head to Is Mexico Safe to Visit Right Now? for a deep dive.
In general though, Oaxaca is among the safest states in Mexico, and the Mexican government wants to keep it this way.
Aside from big waves, mosquitoes, sunburns, and not drinking too much Oaxaca mezcal, you’re in little danger in Mazunte Mexico.
However, no place on Earth is 100% safe, and you always want to stay aware of yourself and belongings. In short, take the same general travel safety measures in Mazunte you would anywhere else.
Also, register for the U.S. STEP Program for international travelers, and put your mind at ease with Mexico travel insurance.
⚠️ Mexico Travel Insurance for Mazunte
Just as you insure your car, home and body, you can also insure your luggage, belongings and health while traveling.
If Mazunte travel safety is on your mind, get a FREE quote below from two of the biggest names in travel insurance for Mexico.
- World Nomads: Perfect for general travel coverage, and those who want to do adventurous activities while visiting Mazunte, like surfing.
- Safety Wing: Perfect Mexico digital nomads who plan to be in Mazunte, Oaxaca state or Mexico for an extended period of time.
Is there Uber in Mazunte?
No — There is no Mazunte Uber service, nor Lyft in Mazunte. Your best bet is to use taxis, which are plentiful.
They do have DiDi Taxi through the DiDi Rider app, which lets you call a taxi via the app. It’s basically like using Uber or Lyft, but you will get a regular cab.
Note: DiDi service is spotty at best in Mazunte, but you can always use a regular cab if you can’t find a driver via the app.
The one caveat here is that you won’t always have a cell signal to call one. A Mexico SIM card from Telcel will help, as it’s Mexico’s largest cell service provider, but still, Mazunte is lacking in the WiFi department.
🚕💨 Are Mazunte taxis safe?
For the majority of travelers, yes, taxis are perfectly safe to use in Mazunte.
I prefer to call taxis via the DiDi Rider app (when the signal permits), so I have a record of my trip and the price is already set for me. However, you can also just hail a cab on the street.
Do I need a car in Mazunte?
It depends — If you’re exploring the whole Oaxaca coast, or planning for some Mazunte day trips, then get a car. However, if you’re just staying in Mazunte itself, skip the rental car and just use taxis to get around.
🚙💨 Best Oaxaca rental car company
When renting a car in Mazunte, or anywhere in Mexico, I always recommend, and personally use, Discover Cars. They search both big-name international companies and local Mexican companies, so you get the best rates.
Is Mazunte expensive?
No — “Expensive” is a relative term, but compared to most of the best beaches in Mexico, Mazunte is on the cheaper side. You can rent hotels in Mazunte for about $50 USD per night; Mazunte hostels will be even less.
Can you swim in Mazunte?
Yes, but use caution — Playa Rinconcito Beach is considered the best beach for swimming in Mazunte, but do be careful here.
The waves at Playa Rinconcito can get huge, and there’s often a strong undercurrent. However, some beaches, like Playa Cometa, aren’t recommended for swimming at all.
Can you surf in Mazunte?
Wondering, Is Mazunte good for surfing? Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it really isn’t.
San Agustinillo, one town east of Mazunte, gets good waves. However, you’ll need to head to the beaches of Puerto Escondido for the best surf on the Oaxaca Coast. The Puerto Escondido to Mazunte drive takes about 1.5 hours.
What is Mazunte known for?
Mazunte is really known for three things: beautiful beaches, turtles and spiritual practices like yoga and meditation.
You can enjoy the beaches and yoga year-round, but the Mazunte turtle season is only from about July to January. If you want to see turtles near Mazunte, head to Playa Escobilla during La Arribada (The Arrival).
The nesting season at La Escobilla Sanctuary runs July to January, peaking during September and October. During this time, up to 90,000 turtles come ashore over a 3-5 day period. Each will lay about 85-150 eggs.
Is Mazunte worth visiting?
Yes — As it takes at least two flights to get to Mazunte, or a flight and a bus, you might be wondering if traveling to Mazunte is worth it. The answer is HELL YES!
While the Oaxaca beaches aren’t as easily accessible as other Mexico beach towns, they’re some of the most beautiful. If you want more than just all inclusive resorts, Mazunte is your place.
As it’s still mostly off the main tourist radar, the golden sand beaches of Mazunte are peaceful and gorgeous. If you want to immerse yourself in local culture, do some yoga, and eat the freshest seafood of your life, Mazunte is it.
Final Thoughts: Hiking Punta Cometa in Mazunte
While most think it’s little more than a hippie beach town, Mazunte has so much more to offer visitors. Though small, it is one of the best beach towns in Oaxaca, and getting more popular with each passing year.
Make sure you visit soon — because this Mexico hidden gem won’t stay hidden for long. In the meantime, I hope this Ultimate Guide to Punta Cometa showed you that you must add Punta Cometa to your Mazunte itinerary.