Homún & Cuzamá Cenotes in Yucatán (2025 Travel Guide)

If I worked in marketing, I’d probably say that Homún and Cuzamá have something for everyone – and honestly, it wouldn’t even be a lie.

Whether you’re looking to be the only person at a hidden backyard cenote or prefer the full-on polished, spotlighted, Instagram-ready version, you’ll find the whole range out here.

Cenote Villages Near Mérida

Homún and Cuzamá on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico are two charming villages located about 60 kilometers southwest of Mérida, each home to just a few thousand residents.

The two towns are similar to many others in the region, with one notable exception: Homún and Cuzamá are home to over 20 cenotes that can be explored. Both towns are part of the cenote route, drawing visitors from all over the world.

Homún is known for its strong Mayan heritage, and the town's name itself comes from the Mayan word "homún," meaning "place of the small houses." This reflects the region's history, where small Mayan dwellings were common in the area.

Cuzamá is just a few kilometers away. The name "Cuzamá" also comes from the Mayan language and is often translated as "Place of the Blue Color". It is generally believed that the name refers to the area's natural beauty and the cenotes.

Cenotes Santa Bárbara

The popular Cenotes Santa Bárbara are also situated on a private property between the two towns of Cuzamá and Homún. This site is the most developed and frequently visited, and it happens to be one of my personal favorite cenotes.

Exploring Cenotes? Take a TukTuk Tour

Some cenotes can be hard to find, so I’d recommend a guide. For about 10 USD, they’ll take you by TukTuk to several cenotes and share some history along the way.

Plus, by hiring a guide, you're also supporting the locals. You’ll spot them on the road as you head towards Homún and Cuzamá or near the local markets. You can simply express your wishes and agree on the price.

Best Cenotes to Visit in the Area

Recommended cenotes are for example

• Cenote Bal-Mil (with stalagmites and stalactites hanging from the ceiling),

• Cenote Wolpoch (with ancient Mayan sculptures),

• Cenote Los Tres Oches (three cenotes, the access is a bit adventurous),

• Cenote Yaxvacaltun (next to Cenotes Santa Barbara, you can swing with a rope),

• Cenote Mani Chan,

• Cenote Caliskutz Homún (with stalagmites and fish in the water) or

• Cenote San Isidro (a relatively small cenote).

More commercialized (but great) cenotes are

• Cenotes Santa Bárbara (consisting of four cenotes),

• Cenote Santa Rosa (with a restaurant) and

• Cenote San Antonio (with a hotel and a restaurant).

Interesting but less visited cenotes ("off the beaten path") are

• Cenote Hool Kosom (consisting of mostly white smooth limestone),

• Cenote Cholul (the operating family is selling some snacks) and

• Cenote Chelpak (relatively small and free of charge).

Different Types of Cenotes

If you enjoy visiting multiple cenotes, the area around Homún and Cuzamá is the perfect destination. You can easily explore 5 to 6 different cenotes in a single trip.

Either on your own or you can use the services of one of the many guides who are waiting for visitors in both villages (Homùn is the better known destination).

The cenotes are each very different. Some are located in the backyard of a house and you don't see much more than a small round hole in the ground. Others are part of a hotel and restaurant.

If you are traveling with a guide, you can of course make any requests as to what kind of cenotes you would like to see. The access to some cenotes is a bit adventurous, so if you don't want to do that, you should mention it.

The World of Cenotes

Cenotes are natural sinkholes found throughout Mexico, especially in the Yucatán Peninsula. These unique formations are created when the ceiling of an underground river collapses, revealing crystal-clear freshwater pools.

Cenotes were considered sacred by the ancient Mayans and are now popular spots for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. Here are some interesting figures about cenotes:

The Very Best Cenote Tours

If you are interested in getting to know the two best places with six cenotes and a 17th century hacienda in a private tour (Cenotes Santa Barbara and Hacienda Mucuyché), you should take a look at this Viator Tour. It's not really cheap, but a memory for life.

How to Get to Homún & Cuzamá from Mérida?

You can easily reach Homún and Cuzamá (usually you choose one of the two places) by bus or by car. On site, you can use the services of local guides who will take you to the cenotes.

An inexpensive option is to take a Colectivo. There is a colectivo to Homun about every 30 minutes. The colectivo parking in Mérida for a ride to Homun is on Calle 52 (between Calle 65 and Calle 67).

You need to look for a parking lot entrance and a Homun sign on the wall.