Punta Cometa: The Best Sunset on the Oaxacan Coast

Punta Cometa is the southernmost point of the state of Oaxaca, a rocky cape that extends into the Pacific about 2 km west of Mazunte. At sunset it produces the kind of view that makes people stop talking mid-sentence. The Pacific is below on three sides. The sun descends directly into the ocean on the horizon. On clear evenings between May and August, the conditions occasionally produce the green flash — the atmospheric optical phenomenon that occurs in the final seconds before the sun drops below the horizon. Most sunsets do not produce it. The possibility of it is part of the reason people come back. The point is the destination. The hike to reach it is the price of admission and it is entirely worth paying.

The Hike

The trailhead starts at the western edge of Mazunte, where a dirt path climbs through coastal scrub forest toward the cape. The terrain is rocky — proper sandals or shoes are necessary, not flip-flops. The hike takes 20–30 minutes at a moderate pace and gains about 60 meters of elevation before descending to the point. The path is well-worn but has no official signage. Ask any local in Mazunte to point you toward the "sendero a Punta Cometa" and follow the most-traveled track. The vegetation is thorny in places; long pants are not wrong for the first visit.

At the point: a broad flat shelf of volcanic rock extending into the Pacific. To the east, the coastline curves back toward Mazunte and San Agustinillo. To the west, open ocean to the horizon. The rock has natural ledges and a few shallow depressions that catch water at high tide. Bring water and something to sit on — the rock surface is hot in the afternoon.

When to Go

Sunset (Primary)

The obvious answer and the correct one. Arrive 30–40 minutes before sunset for position. The point gets crowded (by Punta Cometa standards) in high season — a dozen to twenty people is a packed evening here, which gives a sense of the scale. The light changes from gold to orange to deep red as the sun descends. The afterglow lasts 15–20 minutes after the sun drops. Stay for it.

Sunrise

The sun rises behind the hills, not over the ocean — Punta Cometa faces west. Sunrise at the point is not the canonical experience. But a morning hike in the cool coastal air before the heat peaks, with the Pacific below you in early light, is a worthy alternative for those who are already awake.

Night

On clear nights with a new moon, Punta Cometa is one of the darkest sky locations accessible on foot from any major-ish Mexican beach town. The Milky Way is visible. The sound of the Pacific below and the absence of artificial light make it one of the more memorable night experiences on this coast. Go with someone you trust and bring a headlamp for the return.

The Green Flash

Approximately 1 in 20 sunsets at Punta Cometa, in optimal atmospheric conditions, produces the green flash. The conditions required: a sharp, unobstructed horizon (Punta Cometa has this), low atmospheric humidity (more common in the dry season, November–April), and clear air without dust or particulates.

What the green flash looks like: in the final second before the top of the sun disappears below the horizon, the remaining sliver of the disc turns from yellow-orange to a brief, vivid green. It lasts one to two seconds. Most people who see it for the first time report being unsure whether they actually saw it. You will know. The science involves differential atmospheric refraction of the different wavelengths of light — but the experience is simply: green.

What to Bring

• Water — the hike is short but the point is exposed and hot in the afternoon
• A thin mat or towel to sit on — the volcanic rock is rough
• Camera with a real lens if the green flash is the goal — phone cameras miss it
• Insect repellent — the scrub forest on the trail has mosquitoes in the evening
• A headlamp for the return after dark
• Something to drink for the wait — this is a good sunset beer situation

Frequently Asked Questions