Hostal Homún Oro Verde

Hostal Homún Oro Verde exceeded our expectations before we even arrived. As part of our trip through Mexico, we wanted to have distinctly different experiences, and having just come from Mérida, we were looking for something completely different. The dirt track leading to this beautiful little hostel set the scene perfectly. The hostel itself is clean, full of charm and wonderfully relaxed, with a large open communal space and a great kitchen that guests are welcome to use. The atmosphere draws you in from the moment you arrive. Aleph and his family welcomed us incredibly warmly and, quite simply, are some of the nicest people you could wish to meet. We came to Homún to get away from it all and explore the cenotes, and asked Aleph to take us out for the day. It was an amazing experience. He clearly has a deep love for the cenotes and was a fantastic guide, explaining their natural history and spiritual significance with equal enthusiasm and really bringing the connection between the two to life. We also had breakfast at the hostel and it was the best breakfast of our entire trip: fresh, delicious and full of vegetables and goodness. Oro Verde is surrounded by wildlife, which added even more to the experience.

Nothing. There is genuinely nothing we would have changed about our stay.

This is a very special place. The best of Homún, capital of cenotes. You are living at the edge of town (but very walkable to the center, it’s a small town) so you are immersed in the natural environment - this is not an experience you can have in the cities. And your hosts live and breathe this place - the gorgeous property (really clean beautiful boho chic) built with the natural land it’s found on by the owners themselves(!) and the delicious healthy breakfasts made with the freshest local ingredients from town. Come and meet these kind people and have a look at a side of Yucatan that most travelers miss.

The directions led down a dusty path past little Mexican houses and barking dogs, BUT past the crumbling Hacienda entrance pillars an amazing little bougainvillea covered house with easy parking, a couple of tables, and a little "bienvenidos" sign appeared on the left. Everything was great!: warm welcome from another guest who had stayed a month, an line of clean-white beds, a lot of natural light coming from a well-planned out design, and a feeling like I was attending a yoga retreat but without any of the pretension . Even the main bathroom had an open edge ceiling with climbing plants and cascading light. The kitchen was just like home; the owners and their sons alongside all the other guests came together and cooked, chatted, and joked around. Even with my broken Spanish, I made quick friends (one of the owners speaks really good English, and what he couldn't say, the German and UK guests helped translate) and got a ton of suggestions for where to go and what to do in the area. This was the most amazing part: the hostel had a cenote just down the walking path, and I could walk into the woods and fields past the house for miles without any problems. Also, the little towns around there were so safe and welcoming! Lots of birds, cenotes, and fresh fruits! And a perfect night sleep in the shared room. The beds are all together in one huge long room with each one having a big dresser (locking) and a lamp. Behind the house is a small hill with a couple tents where people can hang out and watch the stars or sleep if they want. The showers are heated from sunlight, so not hot but really very comfortable and plenty of pressure, each one having a mirror, hooks, and locking door. The kitchen is huge! and it has every manner of cooking pot and tool; I think they could serve 20 people with all the plates and cups. Wifi strong. One of the owners is vegetarian, so lots of options to discuss on that topic, and the wife sautés a great smothered cutlet.

The neighbor had a rooster, but actually that was more of a bonus than an annoyance listening to him call his ladies, LOL.

We had the most magical time during our stay at Hostel Oro Verde! The family were so generous and beautiful, helping us make the most of our trip to Homun. It was super easy to rent bikes and explore by yourself however I would highly recommend the tour provided by the hostel. They create an incredible experience that explores the cultural and spiritual importance of the cenotes, as well as enjoying them as beautiful places to swim and have fun! The hostel was very clean with a fantastic kitchen, showers and toilets.