The 22 Best Homun Cenotes: The Complete Guide

If you are planning to visit the Homun Cenotes, look no further. This guide will offer a complete overview of all the most spectacular cenotes in Homun.

---

You will also find the links to each cenote to its related post for more in-depth information, and of course, a map for your convenience.

As you may know already, we have been living in the Yucatan Peninsula for more than 13 years now and our passion for this land and especially for its magical cenotes and mystical ruins, brought us to explore every corner of this blessed region in Mexico.

As soon as we can, we are out exploring and we always find something new to learn about and admire.

This is why we have decided to create this blog so that we can collect all our discoveries and bring them to you so that you as a visitor, can learn about all the secret (and less secret) treasures of the Yucatan Peninsula.

At the end of the list of the Homun Cenotes you will find important information on Homun town, how to get there, where to stay, and different options of how to get there and to the cenotes. We always recommend renting a car, but it is possible to visit the homun cenotes also by public transportation and we’ll tell you how.

So without further ado, let’s get to it.

Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links. If you purchase using one of those links, I may earn a commission at zero cost for you. Please see my privacy policy here.

THE BEST HOMUN CENOTES IN TOWN

1. Cenote Tza Ujun Kat

Cenote Tza Ujun Kat stands out as one of the first public cenotes in Homun. This cave cenote, features easy access, a large central platform surrounded by crystalline waters, and shallow areas, ideal for families.

You can descend about 12 meters via stairs to reach this tranquil spot, with life jackets included in the entry fee to ensure safety.

The natural beauty is complemented by the local swallows and a lush vegetation made it possible by the light passing through the limestone roof.

Tza Ujun Kat, meaning “mud sound,” is accessible by car or local bus from Mérida, with motorcycle taxis available for local tours.

2. Cenote Pool Uinic

If you’re looking for a less crowded, intimate cenote experience, Cenote Pool Unic in Homún, Yucatán, is a hidden gem worth exploring with its crystal-clear waters nestled in a subterranean limestone tunnel.

This cenote, sacred to the Mayans, is a shallow cave, ideal for families, with easy access via comfortable stairs.

Its entrance is adorned by a spectacular poplar tree. Remember, it’s a place to respect nature, so adhere to eco-friendly practices.

3. Grutas Santa Maria

The Caves and Cenotes of Santa María in Homun are a captivating natural wonder situated just 3 blocks from the cemetery on 26 x 19 street. This hidden gem offers an authentic unique experience, making it an ideal spot for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts alike.

It’s more than a cenote, but a group of caves that you can explore with a local guide. As you carefully descend about 4 meters into the earth, you are greeted by the sight of illuminated vaults that provide just enough light to navigate the beautiful underground world.

Nature lovers and those interested in geology will be fascinated by the hundreds of years old stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the large rocks that adorn the cave. The journey through the grotto leads to a flooded path and eventually to a cenote with crystal-clear waters, perfect for swimming in areas up to about 2 meters deep.

4. Cenote Yaxcabaltun

Yaxbacaltun cenote is one of the most popular for its natural beauty and easy access, drawing many visitors to enjoy it.

The journey along a dirt road through lush landscapes to reach Yaxbacaltun is an adventure in itself, passing by other lesser-known cenotes.

With facilities that cater to a broad audience, including non-swimmers, Yaxbacaltun features metal stairs descending to a spacious concrete platform, allowing easy entry into its inviting waters.

The cenote’s open-air setting, surrounded by natural beauty and enhanced by the play of light and shadows, creates a tranquil ambiance perfect for swimming, relaxation, and sometimes witnessing Mayan ceremonies.

Its on-site camping and weekend restaurant services make it an ideal destination for both individual explorers and large groups seeking an immersive experience in one of Homún’s most cherished natural treasures.

The only negative aspect of this cenote is that they also have a few animals in cages, including a BOA, a practice that we don’t agree with.

5. 3 Oches

Cenote 3 Oches is another one of our favorites. It’s tiny but very intriguing, an open cenote with a long set of wooden stairs to get to the water. To make the experience even more thrilling there is a platform halfway down, that the bravest ones use to jump in.

In fact, the cenote is tiny in terms of diameter but very deep so you can jump without hurting yourself. Just be careful of course.

Within the premises of the same cenote, there are other two, which are cave cenotes with a narrow entrance and small bodies of water but still interesting to explore. More natural than this, impossible.

6. Kaay Canche

K’ay Can Ché cenote translates from the Mayan Language “snake’s singing on the tree,” It’s situated within the Homún municipality, known as a hub for cenote tourism in Yucatán.

It’s an enclosed cenote surrounded by amazing limestone rock formations. The water in the cenote is a mesmerizing crystalline blue, with depths reaching approximately 98.4 feet. Its unique structure creates an intriguing tunnel-like appearance, providing an excellent backdrop for great photographs.

If you are claustrophobic you may not like it, because of the narrow structure that may make you feel a little too enclosed in a small area.

Offering ample parking, stair access to the cenote, a striking “Mayan dressing room,” and swings, it caters to visitors seeking an immersive experience.

HOMUN CENOTES THAT LOOK LIKE PARKS

7. Cenote Santa Rosa

Cenote Santa Rosa is not just any cenote, it has everything you could want for a day trip or even a longer stay.

It’s not our favorite because it’s been transformed too much into a playground and it lost its natural charm, but we admit that it’s interesting to explore with its colorful lights and while the idea of altering nature might not sit well with everyone, the experience they’ve created is unique.

There’s a restaurant and cozy cabins right on the premises where you can have a nice lunch and also hammocks where to relax, a shop for some local souvenirs, and basic facilities like showers and toilets.

Life jackets are provided, ensuring your safety while swimming.

8. Santa Barbara

Cenote Santa Bárbara stands out as one of the best site to vist in Homun, for the way it’s structured and the three spectacular cenotes that you can visit.

Visitors have the unique option to journey between these natural pools using traditional modes of transportation, including truck or bike.

The trucks, historically utilized for the transportation of henequen—a cactus used for its fibrous material in various products—reflect the area’s rich heritage. However we prefer to leave the horses alone and use the bikes, it’s good for exercising and you have more freedom to stay in the cenotes as long as you like.

9. Santa Cruz

Cenotes Santa Cruz in Homun is more like a park, with two cenotes and many activities, a local restaurant and a camping area.

Santa Cruz Semi-Open Cenote – This is the largest of the two and it’s very accessible and suitable for kids. Minimum depth: 4 m – Maximum depth: 14 m

Santa Cruz closed cenote – This cenote has a small opening at the top from where have access to a set of stairs going down 56 steps until you reach the Cenote. You need to be fit to get there and it’s not suitable for children. Minimum depth: 1 m Maximum depth: 14 m

10. San Antonio

Cenote San Antonio is very small and one of our least favorite because the water is very shallow and there’s not much space to swim, especially if there are other people around.

This cenote is located within the premises of an old hacienda and you can explore the remaining. They also offer accommodation in simple rooms and a restaurant with local dishes.

11. San Isidro

Cenote San Isidro is more like a hotel, with cute cabanas for rent and artificial swimming pool beside a natural cenote. It’s open from 10 am to 5pm every day and until 6 pm on weekends.

HOMUN CENOTES ON THE WAY TO HUHI TOWN

12. Cenote Santuario Maya

Cenote Santuario Maya is a small, closed cenote located in Homún, Yucatán, reachable by a 10-meter staircase leading down to a magical cave with a small lake of crystal-clear water. Its intimate space is ideal for quiet swims and reflection, making it a unique visit, especially if you’re already exploring nearby cenotes in Homún.

Cenote Santuario Maya, known as Nú’kú’uch Tzo’no’ot in Mayan, is particularly noted for its photogenic qualities, making it a favorite for capturing beautiful images.

This cenote is highly recommended for its peaceful atmosphere and natural beauty, though its small size means it can feel crowded with more than a couple of people inside. To get the best photos, a wide-angle lens is advised to capture the full scope of its interior.

13. Cenote Chel Paak

Cenote Chel Paak in Homún, Yucatán, is a captivating small sinkhole featuring crystal clear water, making it a diver’s delight and a serene spot for those seeking tranquility.

The entrance is marked by wooden stairs clinging to the cenote’s wall, leading down to a platform for those daring to jump into its refreshing waters.

For a more cautious descent, a narrow metal ladder is also available, guiding visitors 10 meters down to the enchanting natural pool. Highlighting the cenote’s charm are the roots of a towering Alamo tree, extending down to the water and creating a picturesque backdrop.

Things to Do:

• Swimming in the cenote’s cool, transparent waters offers a refreshing escape.
• Diving is a popular activity here, exploring the depth of this 6-meter deep natural pool, though it requires the accompaniment of a dive shop for safety.

14. Cenote Hool Kosom

Cenote Hool Kosom is a hidden gem with its unique whitish-speckled rock walls and a grand vault illuminated by natural light, creating a breathtaking atmosphere. Accessible by a wooden and iron staircase, it leads to a wooden platform from which visitors can admire the cenote’s beauty, highlighted by the roots of a guardian poplar Alamo tree reaching down to the crystal-clear waters.

Hool Kosom means swallow’s hollow in Mayan Language and it is perfect for diving, though it requires a guide for safety reasons and an extra fee.

15. Cenote Chulul

Cenote Chulul is a small cenote ideal for family visits due to its shallow waters. You can get there from a 1.5-kilometer dirt road after turning off from the main road in Homún. The cenote features ancient Maya-painted hands on its walls, adding a cultural aspect to your visit. Remember to go through the mandatory shower before entering to keep the water clean.

16. Cenote Canunchen

Cenote Canunchen, a stunning closed cenote nestled in Homún, Yucatán, is easily accessible through a wooden staircase leading down to a crystal clear water lake. This cenote, surrounded by breathtaking rock formations and a vaulted ceiling, offers a unique experience with a rope swing for the adventurous.

You can also enjoy swimming, snorkeling to explore the underwater beauty, or simply jumping from the platform into the refreshing waters.

Remember, early visits, especially on weekdays, can help avoid the crowds and offer a more serene experience.

17. Cenote Bal Mil

Cenote Bal Mil is one of the most beautiful cenotes in Homun. It’s a wide cavern, accessible via steep, comfortable stairs leading down to crystal-clear waters. The temperature change and increased humidity, as you descend, are palpable, enhancing the experience of entering a different world.

The water is very shallow and forms a sort of half-moon around massive blocks of stalactites and stalagmites in the center and around.

18. Cenote Sastal-Ha

Cenote Sastal-ha means Dawn Water in Mayan Language. This cenote is next to the main road that runs through the town of Homún. The cenote is very small but beautiful. In the Sastal-Ha cenote, in addition to the natural cenote, they have made a pool and artificial cenote which makes it a very attractive site for local tourism, but very unattractive for those of us who like more natural places.

To enter this cenote you have to walk down a set of staircases right in the
hollow of a poplar tree. You are only allowed 30 minutes in the cenote if other people are waiting.

19. Cenotes Hacienda Kampepen

The cenotes at Hacienda Kampepen are one of our favorites in Homun. They offer something different from the rest of the cenotes in Homun. The old henequen hacienda gives you the opportunity to learn about part of the history by walking through old henequen fields, while you cool off in its cenotes.

A path of less than 2 kilometers runs through the 3 cenotes that you can visit, each one of them very different from the others. You can travel this path by bicycle or on foot. Along the way there are different points to visit where they explain part of the Mayan history and culture.

HOMUN CENOTES IN THE SURROUNDINGS

20. Cenote Che en Yuc

Cenote Che en Yuc, situated in Homún, Yucatán, is a captivating closed cenote off the beaten path, offering a serene escape from the more frequented cenotes. Its entrance is marked by a wooden staircase under the shade of a giant Almond tree.

We love the cenote’s untouched beauty, the intricate rock formations, the clear waters, and the presence of small fish. Its relative obscurity adds to the charm, offering a peaceful experience.

For photography enthusiasts, a wide-angle lens and tripod are recommended to capture the cenote’s full splendor.

21. Cenote Mani Chan and Cleotilde

Cenote Mani Chan and Cleotilde are two amazing cenotes that we are so glad to have found. Managed by Don Felipe and situated a few miles apart, these cave cenotes captivate with their unique formations and crystal-clear waters.

Cenote Mani Chan, a smaller but stunningly beautiful sinkhole, features a natural staircase leading to turquoise waters, surrounded by coral fossils embedded in limestone.

Cenote Cleotilde, larger in size, provides a spacious swimming area, accessible via man-made wooden stairs, with a rope across the pool for safety and giant roots from an Alamo tree adding to its allure.

22. Cenote Caliskutz (Pavo de Monte)

Cenote Caliskutz, a tranquil oasis near Homún, Yucatán, captivates with its natural beauty and serene atmosphere.

Owned by the proprietors of the San Isidro water park, this cenote has easy access via wooden stairs leading to a natural lake, with crystal clear waters and stunning rock formations.

Ideal for those seeking a quiet retreat, Caliskutz offers a platform for diving into its sacred waters, with areas deep enough for thrilling jumps from three-meter-high platforms.

---

How to get to Homun

Homún, 57 kilometers (35.4 miles) from Mérida, the capital of Yucatán.

---

How to get to Homún by Car 

To reach the Homún cenotes from Mérida, by car, take Calle 59 to get to the outskirts of the city and follow the signs for Chichén Itzá. After about 5 kilometers, there will be a turnoff to Acanceh. From Acanceh, continue towards Cuzamá and then Homún.

While traveling along the road to Homún, it’s common to encounter locals who offer motorcycle taxi tours of the area. However, they may be a bit persistent in trying to get you to stop.

It’s possible to explore the Homún cenotes on your own, or you can opt to take a motorcycle taxi tour in town. See below about the Taxi option.

➣ When renting a car in Mexico we recommend Discover Cars because on their website you can compare different companies and their prices and you can choose between their car insurance or the ones offered by the car rental directly, or both.

When you choose your rental car we recommend including full insurance with 0 deductible so you will drive without stress.  On Discover Cars, you can purchase that too. Make sure you read the fine print.

---

How to get to Homún by Local Bus 

From Mérida the bus leaves (medium van) from the colonial Centro (calle 52 x 65 y 67). Mini-vans from Mérida to Homún start running from 6 in the morning, and the last departure is at 5:30 pm.

From Homún to Mérida, the first departure is at 5:30 in the morning and the last between 5 and 6 in the afternoon. The price is 34 pesos per person.

The schedules of the buses are approximate as they leave when they are full. It is a very busy route, so it is easy for the bus to fill up quickly.

The ride is approximately 1 hour.

---

How to get to Homun’s cenotes by taxi

In Homún you will find motorcycle taxi services to get to the cenotes. They offer a selection of Homún cenotes, and you can make your choice by browsing through photos and consulting with the guides.

Typically, they will take you to the nearest cenotes, but there are multiple alternatives available. As seasoned travelers, we prefer to make informed decisions based on our preferences.

This is why we are here – to assist you as local experts and provide you with comprehensive details about the Homún cenotes.

The prices are around 300 pesos for a tour of the cenotes by motorcycle taxi. You can see from 3 to 5 cenotes depending on the time you spend.

If you want to visit other cenotes that are further away, you must agree on a price beforehand.

How to visit the cenote respecting nature

• Avoid using flash photography to preserve the ancient paintings.
• It’s recommended to bring your own snorkel gear and life jacket for hygiene and convenience.
• Wear closed shoes to avoid insect bites if you prefer, but flip-flops are fine for the cenote area.
• Pack a swimsuit, change of clothes, towel, and mosquito repellent for after you exit the water.

What to Bring:

• Swimsuit, a change of clothes, and a towel.
• Mosquito repellent for use after exiting the water.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Best Cenotes in Homun: Final Thoughts

We hope that this list of the Cenotes in Homun was helpful. Make sure you use the clickable links to learn more about each cenote as we have dedicated pages with more descriptions and pictures. Respect the environment and enjoy the beautiful cenotes of Homun.