diff --git a/services/BotService.php b/services/BotService.php
index 71c8737..77247ca 100644
--- a/services/BotService.php
+++ b/services/BotService.php
@@ -226,7 +226,15 @@ class BotService {
 
         // Si el bot está pausado por bot_paused_until, no responder automáticamente
         if (!empty($user['bot_paused_until']) && strtotime($user['bot_paused_until']) > time()) {
-            return;
+            // Allow explicit navigation commands and numeric menu selection during pause (better UX)
+            $normalized = mb_strtolower(trim($messageText));
+            $isNav = in_array($normalized, ['menu','menú','inicio','atras','atrás','volver','back'], true) || is_numeric(trim($messageText));
+            if ($isNav) {
+                try { error_log("[BotService] processMessage - bot_paused_until active but allowing navigation input for phone={$phoneNumber} message='{$messageText}'"); } catch (Throwable $t) {}
+                // proceed to let navigation/menus be processed
+            } else {
+                return;
+            }
         }
 
         // Si el usuario ha desactivado el bot manualmente (toggle), no responder