How to visit Cenote Bal Mil, Homun, Yucatan

Wondering how to visit Cenote Bal Mil in Homun? Look no further. In this post, we will tell you absolutely everything you need to know about this beautiful cenote.

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First of all. Let’s talk briefly about Homun, the small town where this cenote is located among hundreds of others.

Located in the heart of the Yucatan State, the small town of Homun is blessed with more than 20 tourist cenotes, most of them in spectacular caves surrounded by incredible rock formations and alamo trees roots.

Needless to say, this is the ultimate destination for cenote and nature lovers.

It is also close to Mérida which makes it a beautiful and easy day trip from the Yucatan Capital city. If you are anything like us and love to take it slow and make the most of this magical area, you will find cute places where to stay in the area for a few days. And trust us, it is worth it.

It is safe to say that Cenote Bal Mil is one of the most beautiful among the Homun Cenotes, and we are sure it’s not only our own opinion. You will see what we mean when you visit yourself.

We return to Homún from time to time and we always find nice new surprises. It is the good thing about living in the area, that we can always return to explore any time we want.

Cenote Bal Mil was one of the first cenotes in Homún that we visited, one of the most popular cenotes that we never get tired of returning to.

Things to know about Cenote Bal Mil 

Bal Mil cenote is a 13 mt deep wide cavern that you access through some steep and comfortable stairs.

At the button of the easy steps, you will be in a wide open space surrounded by crystal clear waters.

You will feel the temperature change including a higher humidity level, and you can smell the water on your way down.

It is one of the most beautiful cenotes in Homún, with an impressive column created by the union of a stalactite with a stalagmite.

Also, one of the best-kept secrets of the cenote is some ancient Mayan painted hands, evidence of rituals and ceremonies. Play to find them without being told where they are located. Observing is always good exercise.

FUN FACT – Bal Mil means “what is hidden”.

How to get to Cenote Bal Mil

Cenote Bal Mil is located 50 kilometers southeast of Mérida. When you arrive at Homún you must continue 2 kilometers from the east exit of the town. Once you see the signs on the left, you must follow the dirt road for 1.5 kilometers to the Bal Mil cenote.

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How to get to Homún (cenote Bal Mil) by Car 

From Mérida take Calle 59 to the periphery of the city, and follow the sign to Chichén Itzá. After about 5 kilometers there is a detour to Acanceh.

From Acanceh continue towards Cuzamá and then Homún. On the road to Homún, you find several people who will stop you to offer motorcycle taxi tours in Homún. Sometimes they are a bit pushy.

You can get to the Homún cenotes on your own or take a motorcycle taxi in town.

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When you choose your rental car we recommend including full insurance with 0 deductible so you will drive with no stress.  On Discover Cars, you can purchase that too. Make sure you read the fine print.

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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.

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How to get to Cenote Bal Mil by taxi

In Homún they offer motorcycle taxi services to take you to the cenotes. You can choose between several Homún cenotes. How do you choose the cenotes? They show you photos so you can decide the one you want to see.

Normally they take you to the closest ones in Homún. The Bal Mil cenote is one of the nearby ones, so they offer it as well. The prices are around 250 pesos for a tour of the cenotes by motorcycle taxi, but it doesn’t include the entrance of each cenote, which varies.

You can see from 3 to 5 cenotes depending on the time you spend to be, or if you want to stay longer and see more cenotes, it is also possible. Just make sure you agree on the price before starting the tour.

Things to do in the Cenote Bal Mil

• Swim and chill – you can just enjoy the cool waters and the cave
• Snorkel – We always recommend wearing a mask if you like to observe the place carefully. The water is crystal clear and there is good visibility.
• Search the hands – The Bal Mil Cenote preserves painted hands from the ancient Maya. It is believed that it was a sacred cave. This window into history is something very beautiful. DO NOT take photos with flash, it harms the conservation of the painting.
• Observe the cave – the formations of this cenote are very beautiful to calmly observe the place

Practical information 

Bal Mil Facilities

• Showers
• Toilets
• Life jackets are included in the price, they are mandatory

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Bal Mil Entrance fee – 

50 pesos for each person (3 USD approx)

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Bal Mil Opening Hours 

Open every day from 9 to 17 

How to visit Cenote Bal Mil and respect the environment 

We would like the cenote (and nature in general) to stay as beautiful as it is. The good part is that it’s not that difficult. We have put together some simple rules to follow in order to inflict as little damage as possible to the environment. 

🔵Don’t be loud

🔵Don’t trash

🔵Don’t use any kinds of cream spray or protectors on your skin as it would contaminate the environment (even the so-called – eco friendly) 

🔵Always take a shower before entering in a cenote (available at the entrance) 

🔵Don’t hang on to the stalactites or stalagmites or any roots 

🔵Just don’t do any foolishness that can damage the environment 

🔵If we appreciate the environment we will learn to respect it. 

What to bring to Cenote Balmil

• Swimsuit
• Change of clothes
• Towel to dry off
• Mosquito repellent to wear after you come out of the water as there are many mosquitos around
• Mask and snorkel gear and life jacket are available for rent but it would be much better if you  have your own, both for hygienic purposes and saving
• You can walk on your flip flop although I always like to wear closed shoes when I am in the wilderness, mainly to avoid bugs bites. But it’s totally up to you

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What we like about cenote Bal Mil

🐚The extraordinary rock formations, and the cave it is magnificent

🪨The fact that it’s in a cave

💧The clear water

⭐The fact that it was a sacred cave

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What we don’t like about Balmil

It is a crowded cenote

INSIDER TIP – try to avoid weekends and be there an early morning when they open if you want to avoid crowds. 

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Tips to photograph the cenote BalMil

For this cenote, an angular lens will be very useful to capture the great column of the cenote and the crystal clear waters in a single shot

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Category – family

Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5

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What to visit near Cenote Bal Mil

• Ruins Acanceh 24 km/15 miles 40 minutes by car
• Ruins Mayapan 46 km/28.5 miles 1 hour by car
• The other cenotes in Homún, including Cenote Caliskutz and Cenote Mani Chan.

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Cenotes that you find on the same road that cenote Balmil

• Cenote Canunchen
• Cenote Chulul
• Cenote Wolpoch
• Cenote Hool Kosom
• Cenote Chelpak
• Cenote Sastal -Ha (very close, 100 meters further on following the main road)

Each of them is different and surprising. We love helping you enjoy this land and the magical world of cenotes. We talk about all of them so you can decide which one to go to.

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Where to stay in Homun

The small town of Homun has been growing a lot over the years and you can now find many different kinds of stays from the simplest local hotel to more sophisticated luxury places. Here below we will share our hotel recommendations.

🏨 Hameki

Great laid-back luxury glamping just outside Homun downtown. Guests also love their pool and deck chairs and the on-site restaurant offering also vegan dishes.

Check availability and rates on Booking.com

🏨 Hotel Santa Maria

Simple local hotel for a budget stay. The rooms are not fancy but spacious and clean. They have a pool and an indoor restaurant with local dishes.

Check availability and rates on Booking.com

🏨 Reset Atemporal

Interesting luxury stay just outside Homun downtown. This new hotel offer luxurious cabañas equipped with thoughtful details

Check availability and rates on Booking.com