How to visit Cenote Chel Paak, Homun

The small and beautiful cenote Chel Paak is one of the cenotes you can visit in the Yucatan town of Homún.

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How many cenotes are open to the public in Homún? You can visit more than 20 tourist cenotes. Several of them are small in size and beautiful.

Chel Paak cenote is one of them. The first time we visited Chel Paak in 2013, it was free. Right now, you have to pay an entrance fee, but you will also find facilities such as bathrooms, a palapa, and changing rooms.

Homún has become a reference point for those of us who like cenotes, as several ones have opened in recent years. Let’s discover this little treasure in Homún.

Things to know about Cenote Chel Paak

The Chel Paak cenote is a small sinkhole with beautiful crystal clear water. The access to the cenote is by wooden stairs that are attached to the wall of the cenote.

There is a platform before reaching the water from which to jump, less than 3 meters. If you don’t like jumping into the water, you can reach the cenote by following a narrower metal ladder.

Descend about 10 meters to the crystal clear water. Next to the stairs, the roots of the precious Alamo tree go down to the water creating a suggesting background.

This tree is a clear indicator of the presence of cenotes in Yucatan. Its roots can extend up to 400 meters to find fresh water.

The cenote Chel Paak is a small natural pool that is 6 meters deep and it is famous among divers. If you like to dive it is one of the best options but you will need to go with a dive shop. You are not allowed to dive on your own for safety reasons.

FUN FACT – Chel Paak means Rainbow Wall in the Mayan Language. We did not ask if they have seen the reflection of the rainbow in the cenote, so we are left in doubt 🤔 

How to get to Cenote Chel Paak

The Cenote Chel Paak is located 50 kilometers east 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.

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How to get to Homún (cenote Chel Paak) by Car 

From Mérida take Calle 59 to the periphery of the city, and follow the sign to Chichén Itzá. Continue on the road for almost 30 kilometers until the detour to Tahmek.

You will find the town of Hocabá and then you will arrive in Homún. In Hocabá there is a greengrocer very well stocked with local products.

We recommend you stop if you are anything like us, who can live on some apples, bananas, carrots, or whatever veggie like🥑, at least during your cenote visit, so you can spend the entire day exploring cenotes without worrying about finding a restaurant.

On the road, you will see 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 for free or tour them on a motorcycle taxi tour.

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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. 

Cenotes that you find on the same road that cenote Chel Paak

On the same road where you will find cenote Chel Paak you can also visit the following cenotes

1. Cenote Bal Mil
2. Cenote Canunchen
3. Cenote Hool Kosom
4. Cenote Chulul
5. Cenote Wolpoch

From the nearby Sastal-há cenote, there is also access to the ChelPak cenote by a path of less than 50 meters on foot.

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How to get to Cenote Chulul by 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 Chulul by taxi

In Homún they offer motorcycle taxi services to take you to the cenotes. They give you a choice between several Homún cenotes.

They show you the photos of the different cenotes so you can decide, and also the guides help you choose with the information they have.

Normally they take you to the ones that are closest to Homún, but there are several options.

However, since you are reading this blog you will know better, and you can let them know which cenote you would like to see, instead, based on the information we are giving you. Just keep in mind that if the cenotes you want to visit are further away the price will increase but not so much. }

Just make sure you agree on the price before leaving.

We like to travel informed to choose what we are looking for. That is why we are here, to help you as experts in the area and provide you with the best information on the Homún cenotes.

The prices are around 250 pesos for a tour of the cenotes by motorcycle taxi. You can see from 3 to 5 cenotes depending on the time you spend. You can agree on another price to spend more time and go to cenotes further away such as the Mani Chan, Caliskutz, or Che en Yuc cenotes.

Things to do in the Cenote Chel Paak

Cenote Chel Paak

• Swim and chill – you can just enjoy the cool and transparent waters
• Observe – It is a very nice little corner of nature, enjoy it

Practical information 

Chel Paak Facilities

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

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Chel Paak Entrance fee – 

50 pesos each person (3 USD approx)

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Chel Paak Opening Hours 

Open every day from 9 to 17 

How to visit Cenote Chel Paak 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 Chel Paak

• 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
• 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 Chel Paak

The roots of the Alamo tree reaching the water are very beautiful. You will find them in every cenote but this one is particularly beautiful.

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What we don’t like about Chel Paak

Since it’s very small it’s always crowded and it’s difficult to appreciate it fully.

If there are a lot of people they only let you stay from 20 to 40 minutes.

INSIDER TIP – Get there as early as possible so that you have more chance to enjoy it on your own.

Tips for photographing the cenote Chel Paak

The most impressive photos of the cenote to measure the beauty is to collect the stairs and the crystal clear water in the same shot. A wide angle will help you do so in small cenotes like this one.

If no light enters the cenote, it is easier to take the photo, otherwise, the high contrast of light makes it difficult to resolve.

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Category – divers and nature lovers

Rating – ⭐⭐⭐ 3/5

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What to visit near Cenote Chel Paak

• Ruins Acanceh 24 km/15 miles 40 minutes by car
• Ruins Mayapan 46 km/28.5 miles 1 hour by car
• The other cenotes of Homún😁