It is located in the western end of the country, bordered to the north and west by the Republic of Guatemala, to the south by the department of Ocotepeque, and to the east by the departments of Santa Bárbara and Lempira.
Copan was the capital of an important Mayan kingdom between the 5th century and the 9th century. Today the Mayans call it the Paris of America, The Athens of the New World for its artistic quality. The Copan Mayan Site is located in western Honduras, just fourteen kilometers from the El Florido border with Guatemala. Copán Ruinas, due to its magnificent Mayan buildings, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980.
Discovered in 1576 by Diego García de Palacio, Copán is one of the most important remaining sites of the Mayan Civilization. The remains of the city and the imposing public squares reveal the three main periods of its development before the city was abandoned in the early 9th century AD.
The Hieroglyphic Stairway is considered the largest Book written in Stone in Pre-Hispanic America, with more than 2000 hieroglyphs distributed in 64 tiers or steps, considered by UNESCO as a Monument of Outstanding Universal Value. After the city was abandoned, it was covered by the jungle which helped its conservation.
It is one of the most researched ancient Mayan cities. A few kilometers away are also the ancient Mayan residential areas “Las Sepulturas”, “Rastrojón” and Los Sapos Mayan Site with great Mayan historical importance. Thus, there is also a Museum of Sculpture, Archeology, and a Digital Museum located in the beautiful typical town of Copán Ruinas.
In addition to Mayan Historical Sites, the Sacred Valley of the Scarlet Macaw of Copan has a variety of attractions, activities, and tourist services such as Luna Jaguar Spa (Hot Springs), Bird Park: Macaw Mountain, Natural Areas for the Observation of birds, coffee farms specialized in agritourism tourism, butterfly park, Mayan Chorti communities
Relax at the Luna Jaguar spa
If you’re looking to spend a quiet afternoon getting pampered in the middle of nowhere, the Luna Jaguar Spa is the perfect place for you. It’s one of the best places in Honduras to rest and get pampered!
Nestled in the mountains, about 45-minutes outside Copan, this spa is a little natural getaway. Spend your time in one of the many thermal baths, that range from scolding hot to temperate cool.
