Cenote 40 km southwest of Izamal
Next to Homún: at the old hacienda of Chunkanán, horse-drawn carts on henequen rail tracks take you to three cave cenotes.
Cuzamá is a small town next to Homún, about 50 kilometers southeast of Mérida, and its cenotes are visited in one of the most unusual ways in Yucatán. They lie on the land of the old henequen hacienda of Chunkanán, and the way to reach them is by "truck": a small open rail cart pulled by a horse along the narrow-gauge tracks that once carried henequen leaves across the estate.
The ride runs several kilometers through scrub forest and stops at three cenotes, usually Chelentún, Chacsinicché and Bolonchoojol. Each one is underground and reached by ladders or steep stairs. Chelentún is known for very clear blue water and stalactites and stalagmites; Bolonchoojol, "the mouse hole with nine entrances," sits under a large vault that lets in soft light. The cart rattles and bumps, and at crossing points the drivers lift the carts off the single track to let others pass.
The trucks are run by local families from the village of Chunkanán, and the whole circuit takes around three to four hours with swimming. It is easy to combine with Homún's cenotes on the same day.
What to see and do
Ride the horse-drawn truck along the old henequen rail tracks.
Swim in Chelentún's clear water among stalactites.
Climb down into Bolonchoojol and float under its great vault.
Walk around the old hacienda buildings and the main square of Chunkanán.
Getting there
From Izamal, drive southwest by way of Kantunil and Huhí to Homún, then a few minutes on to Cuzamá and the village of Chunkanán, where the trucks leave from; allow about an hour. The last trucks usually leave in mid-afternoon, so arrive by late morning. Pay for the truck and each cenote in cash.
40 km southwest of Izamal
Directions from Izamal on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
Plan your trip
Places to stay in Cenotes de Cuzamá
Compare hotels, posadas, and rentals in and around Cenotes de Cuzamá.
Tours & activities
Guided tours, tastings, and day trips in and around Cenotes de Cuzamá.
Links open a partner site. We may earn a commission if you book, at no cost to you.
Photos
Weather warm
Cenotes de Cuzamá shares the climate of Izamal, 40 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec.
Make Izamal your base
Cenotes de Cuzamá is an easy trip from Izamal, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Izamal
-
Sitilpech
· Town · 7 km away
A village east of Izamal, linked by a bike path, whose venerated Christ is carried to Izamal every October 18. -
Kimbilá
· Town · 11 km away
A village of family sewing workshops west of Izamal, known for embroidered hipiles, dresses and guayaberas. -
Aké
· Archaeological site · 29 km away
Maya ruins with a platform of tall stone columns beside a working henequen hacienda; a causeway once linked it to Izamal. -
Cenotes de Homún
· Cenote · 35 km away
A Maya town ringed by dozens of cenotes, from open pools to caves, visited with local mototaxi guides. -
Cenote Yokdzonot
· Cenote · 39 km away
An open cenote west of Chichén Itzá, rescued and run by a cooperative of Maya women from the village of Yokdzonot. -
Chichén Itzá
· Archaeological site · 54 km away
The great Maya city of El Castillo and the Sacred Cenote, about an hour east of Izamal; arrive at opening time.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.