Cenotes Santa Bárbara, Homún: 2025 Visiting Guide
What Makes This Special
Cenotes Santa Bárbara is one of Yucatán’s most organized and family-friendly cenote parks, set just outside the town of Homún. In 2025, the complex features four distinct cenotes—Cascabel (cave), Chacsinkín (semi-open), Xooch’ (semi-open), and the newest, Pool Cocom (open)—each with different light, depth, and ambience. Visitors choose bike, shuttle van (combi), or the Expreso Santa Bárbara motorized train to move between swimming areas, and life jackets are included and required for all swimmers.
What sets Santa Bárbara apart is the combination of excellent facilities (restrooms, showers, lockers, Wi-Fi, on-site restaurants and snack bar, kids’ splash pad), clear wayfinding, and thoughtful touches like an elevator at Pool Cocom for limited-mobility guests (reserved for people with disabilities, older adults, and pregnant visitors). You can comfortably spend a half or full day here, swimming in multiple cenotes and sitting down to a hearty Yucatecan lunch at the end.
History
Homún sits atop the vast limestone shelf of the Yucatán Peninsula, where underground rivers carve sinkholes known as cenotes. To the ancient Maya, cenotes were both life-giving water sources and sacred portals to the underworld; today they remain central to community life and conservation-aware tourism. The Santa Bárbara park grew from this local landscape of caves and pools, improving safe access with stairs, platforms, and controlled capacities. In recent years, the complex expanded from three cenotes to four with Pool Cocom, an open cenote with dramatic canyon-like scenery and easier access, further broadening the park’s appeal to mixed-age groups.
Practical Information
- Hours (2025): 9:00 AM opening; last ticket 4:00 PM; cenote access ends 5:00 PM; restaurants/complex close by 6:00 PM.
- Entry & Packages (2025): Package 1 (access to 4 cenotes + life jacket + internal transport): $250 MXN per adult; children 4–11 $125 MXN. Package 2 adds a set lunch: $370 MXN per adult; children 4–11 $245 MXN. (Occasional third-party day passes may cost more.)
- Payment: Bring cash; card acceptance varies.
- Included: Life jacket (mandatory), choice of internal transport (bike/combi/Expreso), use of showers, restrooms, and parking.
- Facilities: Large restaurant serving Yucatecan dishes, snack bar (fast food), lockers, changing rooms, private showers, Wi-Fi near reception, kids’ splash pad, viewpoints, shaded rest areas.
- Accessibility: Elevator at Pool Cocom for limited-mobility access (use restricted to qualifying visitors). Other cenotes require stairs.
- Recommended Visit Length: 3–5 hours to swim at multiple cenotes and enjoy lunch.
What to Expect
Overall Atmosphere: A well-run park with clear signage, attendant staff, and a mix of local families and travelers. Weekends and holidays draw more visitors; arrive early for the calmest water and quietest platforms.
Cenote Profiles:
- Cascabel (cave): A closed, cavern-like cenote accessed via a small opening and sturdy stairs. Artificial lighting highlights stalactites and the underground chamber. Best for confident swimmers who enjoy cave ambience.
- Chacsinkín (semi-open): Partly roofed, with shafts of natural light and emerald water. Good mix of depth and open areas, with easy entry via platforms and ladders.
- Xooch’ (semi-open): A photogenic basin with tree roots descending into clear water. Generally wider swimming areas, stone steps down, and wooden ladders for entry/exit.
- Pool Cocom (open): The newest and most accessible cenote, featuring a canyon-like channel leading to a broad pool, a small waterfall feature, wide stone steps, and an elevator for qualifying visitors. Great for relaxed floating and families.
Water & Safety: Water is generally clear and refreshing (cenote temperatures are typically cool year-round). Life jackets are required and included; jumping/diving is restricted. Expect wet, occasionally slippery stairs—move carefully and keep both hands free when possible.
Getting There
From Mérida by Car (≈55–70 minutes): Exit the city toward Acanceh via the southeast (common route via Kanasín/Acanceh) and continue through Cuzamá to Homún. Once in town, follow signs for “Cenotes Santa Bárbara” (Calle 19). There is a large, free parking lot at the entrance.
By Public Transport: Frequent colectivos (shared vans) and buses run from central Mérida to Homún. Colectivos typically depart from the area around Calle 52 x 65/67 (near the Noreste/LUS terminals) and take about 60–90 minutes, costing roughly local bus fares. From Homún’s drop-off point, take a mototaxi (3–10 minutes) directly to Santa Bárbara.
Rideshare/Taxi: App rides between Mérida and Homún are often available; budget about 1–1.5 hours each way and confirm return options.
On-Site Transport: At reception you’ll choose bicycle, combi (shuttle van), or the Expreso Santa Bárbara (motorized train) to reach the trailheads. You can mix/return by a different option as needed.
What to Bring
- Essentials: Swimsuit, towel, change of clothes, cash, government ID, and a dry bag for phones.
- Footwear: Water shoes or sandals with good grip (stairs and platforms can be slick).
- Sun & Bug Protection: No sunscreen or repellents are allowed in the water (protect the aquifer). Wear a long-sleeve rash guard, hat, and use shade. Apply any repellent after swimming and away from the water.
- Optional: Mask/snorkel (visibility is often good), compact first-aid kit, microfiber towel, and a reusable water bottle.
Tips & Safety
- Arrive early (ideally 9:00–10:00 AM) for fewer crowds and calmer water. Weekdays are quieter than weekends/holidays.
- Mind the rules: Life jackets are mandatory; no diving/jumping; rinse before entering; keep food/drinks out of the water areas.
- Stair care: Use handrails where available; watch for slippery steps; keep one hand free when descending.
- Weather: Heavy rain or lightning can pause access temporarily; staff will advise. Water clarity can vary after storms.
- Accessibility: Pool Cocom’s elevator is reserved for people with disabilities, older adults, and pregnant visitors; other cenotes require stair access.
- Dining: Consider the lunch-inclusive package for value; the main restaurant serves classic Yucatecan dishes (cochinita, relleno negro, etc.).
- Respect the site: Pack out trash, keep voices low in cavern areas, and avoid touching stalactites or tree roots.
Nearby Attractions
- Other Homún Cenotes: Numerous small, community-run cenotes are scattered around town—ideal if you want a quieter swim after Santa Bárbara.
- Cuzamá Cenotes: A neighboring route famous for horse-drawn rail carts to multiple cenotes.
- Mayapán Ruins: A compact archaeological site (about 1–1.5 hours from Homún) with climbable structures and far fewer crowds than Chichén Itzá.
- Haciendas & Villages: Acanceh (pyramids on the main square), Eknakán, and hacienda towns along the old henequen corridor.
- Mérida: Return for dinner on Paseo de Montejo or a stroll through the Historic Center’s plazas and markets.
Cenotes Santa Bárbara, Homún: 2025 Visiting Guide
On This Page
Plan a 2025 visit to Cenotes Santa Bárbara in Homún—four cenotes, included life jackets, bike/van/train transfers, great facilities, and a tasty Yucatecan lunch.
Our Take
"Santa Bárbara makes cenote-hopping effortless: ride the bikes, combi, or mini-train between Cascabel, Chacsinkín, Xooch’, and Pool Cocom, then earn your cochinita lunch on site."
What Makes This Special
Cenotes Santa Bárbara is one of Yucatán’s most organized and family-friendly cenote parks, set just outside the town of Homún. In 2025, the complex features four distinct cenotes—Cascabel (cave), Chacsinkín (semi-open), Xooch’ (semi-open), and the newest, Pool Cocom (open)—each with different light, depth, and ambience. Visitors choose bike, shuttle van (combi), or the Expreso Santa Bárbara motorized train to move between swimming areas, and life jackets are included and required for all swimmers.
What sets Santa Bárbara apart is the combination of excellent facilities (restrooms, showers, lockers, Wi-Fi, on-site restaurants and snack bar, kids’ splash pad), clear wayfinding, and thoughtful touches like an elevator at Pool Cocom for limited-mobility guests (reserved for people with disabilities, older adults, and pregnant visitors). You can comfortably spend a half or full day here, swimming in multiple cenotes and sitting down to a hearty Yucatecan lunch at the end.
History
Homún sits atop the vast limestone shelf of the Yucatán Peninsula, where underground rivers carve sinkholes known as cenotes. To the ancient Maya, cenotes were both life-giving water sources and sacred portals to the underworld; today they remain central to community life and conservation-aware tourism. The Santa Bárbara park grew from this local landscape of caves and pools, improving safe access with stairs, platforms, and controlled capacities. In recent years, the complex expanded from three cenotes to four with Pool Cocom, an open cenote with dramatic canyon-like scenery and easier access, further broadening the park’s appeal to mixed-age groups.
Practical Information
- Hours (2025): 9:00 AM opening; last ticket 4:00 PM; cenote access ends 5:00 PM; restaurants/complex close by 6:00 PM.
- Entry & Packages (2025): Package 1 (access to 4 cenotes + life jacket + internal transport): $250 MXN per adult; children 4–11 $125 MXN. Package 2 adds a set lunch: $370 MXN per adult; children 4–11 $245 MXN. (Occasional third-party day passes may cost more.)
- Payment: Bring cash; card acceptance varies.
- Included: Life jacket (mandatory), choice of internal transport (bike/combi/Expreso), use of showers, restrooms, and parking.
- Facilities: Large restaurant serving Yucatecan dishes, snack bar (fast food), lockers, changing rooms, private showers, Wi-Fi near reception, kids’ splash pad, viewpoints, shaded rest areas.
- Accessibility: Elevator at Pool Cocom for limited-mobility access (use restricted to qualifying visitors). Other cenotes require stairs.
- Recommended Visit Length: 3–5 hours to swim at multiple cenotes and enjoy lunch.
What to Expect
Overall Atmosphere: A well-run park with clear signage, attendant staff, and a mix of local families and travelers. Weekends and holidays draw more visitors; arrive early for the calmest water and quietest platforms.
Cenote Profiles:
- Cascabel (cave): A closed, cavern-like cenote accessed via a small opening and sturdy stairs. Artificial lighting highlights stalactites and the underground chamber. Best for confident swimmers who enjoy cave ambience.
- Chacsinkín (semi-open): Partly roofed, with shafts of natural light and emerald water. Good mix of depth and open areas, with easy entry via platforms and ladders.
- Xooch’ (semi-open): A photogenic basin with tree roots descending into clear water. Generally wider swimming areas, stone steps down, and wooden ladders for entry/exit.
- Pool Cocom (open): The newest and most accessible cenote, featuring a canyon-like channel leading to a broad pool, a small waterfall feature, wide stone steps, and an elevator for qualifying visitors. Great for relaxed floating and families.
Water & Safety: Water is generally clear and refreshing (cenote temperatures are typically cool year-round). Life jackets are required and included; jumping/diving is restricted. Expect wet, occasionally slippery stairs—move carefully and keep both hands free when possible.
Getting There
From Mérida by Car (≈55–70 minutes): Exit the city toward Acanceh via the southeast (common route via Kanasín/Acanceh) and continue through Cuzamá to Homún. Once in town, follow signs for “Cenotes Santa Bárbara” (Calle 19). There is a large, free parking lot at the entrance.
By Public Transport: Frequent colectivos (shared vans) and buses run from central Mérida to Homún. Colectivos typically depart from the area around Calle 52 x 65/67 (near the Noreste/LUS terminals) and take about 60–90 minutes, costing roughly local bus fares. From Homún’s drop-off point, take a mototaxi (3–10 minutes) directly to Santa Bárbara.
Rideshare/Taxi: App rides between Mérida and Homún are often available; budget about 1–1.5 hours each way and confirm return options.
On-Site Transport: At reception you’ll choose bicycle, combi (shuttle van), or the Expreso Santa Bárbara (motorized train) to reach the trailheads. You can mix/return by a different option as needed.
What to Bring
- Essentials: Swimsuit, towel, change of clothes, cash, government ID, and a dry bag for phones.
- Footwear: Water shoes or sandals with good grip (stairs and platforms can be slick).
- Sun & Bug Protection: No sunscreen or repellents are allowed in the water (protect the aquifer). Wear a long-sleeve rash guard, hat, and use shade. Apply any repellent after swimming and away from the water.
- Optional: Mask/snorkel (visibility is often good), compact first-aid kit, microfiber towel, and a reusable water bottle.
Tips & Safety
- Arrive early (ideally 9:00–10:00 AM) for fewer crowds and calmer water. Weekdays are quieter than weekends/holidays.
- Mind the rules: Life jackets are mandatory; no diving/jumping; rinse before entering; keep food/drinks out of the water areas.
- Stair care: Use handrails where available; watch for slippery steps; keep one hand free when descending.
- Weather: Heavy rain or lightning can pause access temporarily; staff will advise. Water clarity can vary after storms.
- Accessibility: Pool Cocom’s elevator is reserved for people with disabilities, older adults, and pregnant visitors; other cenotes require stair access.
- Dining: Consider the lunch-inclusive package for value; the main restaurant serves classic Yucatecan dishes (cochinita, relleno negro, etc.).
- Respect the site: Pack out trash, keep voices low in cavern areas, and avoid touching stalactites or tree roots.
Nearby Attractions
- Other Homún Cenotes: Numerous small, community-run cenotes are scattered around town—ideal if you want a quieter swim after Santa Bárbara.
- Cuzamá Cenotes: A neighboring route famous for horse-drawn rail carts to multiple cenotes.
- Mayapán Ruins: A compact archaeological site (about 1–1.5 hours from Homún) with climbable structures and far fewer crowds than Chichén Itzá.
- Haciendas & Villages: Acanceh (pyramids on the main square), Eknakán, and hacienda towns along the old henequen corridor.
- Mérida: Return for dinner on Paseo de Montejo or a stroll through the Historic Center’s plazas and markets.
Location
Plan Your Visit
Swimsuit, towel, water shoes, cash, dry bag, rash guard (no sunscreen/repellent in water), change of clothes
Restrooms, changing rooms, private showers, lockers, Wi-Fi near reception, life jackets included, restaurants and snack bar, kids’ splash pad, viewpoints, elevator at Pool Cocom (restricted use)
Arrive early, pick lunch package for value, use bike/train/van for transfers, avoid weekends/holidays for crowds