Copan Ruinas, the Most Magical Place in Honduras

Copan Ruinas Honduras
The magnificent ball court at the Copan Archaeological Park

I recently wrote a post referring to Utila as the happiest place in Honduras. Then, I got to thinking that Honduras has other special destinations that are unique. There is no doubt that Copan Ruinas is one of them. The Archaeological Park in Copan Ruinas provides for a fascinating history of the Maya Civilization. One thing is sure about this site: there is magic in Copan! Nobody who has been there can disagree. Arguably, Copan Ruinas, the most magical place in Honduras, is worth a visit. [themify_hr border_width=”1″ width=”1″ color=”light-gray”]

Copan Ruinas, an Ancient Maya Site

Copan Ruinas, the most magical place in Honduras
The Great Plaza at Copan has many altars and stelaes to admire

Imagine walking into an old city that is over fourteen hundred years old. There, an ancient civilization thrived and had a profound astronomical knowledge of our world. Here, the ancient leaders would communicate with their ancestors and Gods by inflicting pain on themselves. They recorded their history by carving hieroglyphs on stone to commemorate important dates. And when they seemed to be at the zenith of their civilization, they disappeared!

As you walk into the Copan Archaeological Park, you will find several dozen scarlet macaws flying over your head. This spectacular bird is the National Bird of Honduras. Its bright colors include scarlet red, blue, yellow and even touches of green are spectacular. It’s no wonder that the Ancient Maya revered this bird and carved the unique macaw markers on their ball court.[themify_hr border_width=”1″ width=”1″ color=”light-gray”]

After the citizens of Copan left their magical city, the jungle took it over. This is nature’s way of preserving this unique site which is part of the UNESCO Heritage of Humanity sites. Copan remained hidden under the jungle for a thousand years. Then an American adventurer rediscovered it!  John Lloyd Stephens and his travel companion visited Copan in the mid eighteen hundreds. The magnificent drawings of Frederick Catherwood grasped the magic of Copan! Soon the entire world became enchanted with the ancient Maya.

Enjoy the Magic in Copan with Modern Amenities!

Indeed, these two explorers where the prototype of the “Indiana Jones” adventurer of our times. Today, Copan Ruinas, the most magical place in Honduras, provides for a comfortable adventure. You need not spend the night in the jungle to experience the magic! The charming town of Copan Ruinas offers a variety of hotels to choose from. Regardless of whether you are looking for a hostel or a boutique hotel, there are many different hotels in Copan Ruinas to choose from.

Copan Ruinas Restaurants
Magical setting at San Lucas

Looking for a culinary experience? Copan offers different alternatives. Without doubt, you can find the most original and magical of all at the Hacienda San Lucas.  Here you can dine with a candlelit setting and enjoy ancient recipes prepared just for you! There are many other restaurants in Copan Ruinas that provide a culinary experience you will cherish.[themify_hr border_width=”1″ width=”1″ color=”light-gray”]

Macaw Mountain Bird Park, Part of the Magic of Copan

The Honduras Birdman
Tourists interacting with macaws at the Macaw Mountain Bird Park

But there is even more magic in Copan Ruinas! Remember all those scarlet macaws that I said would fly over your head at the Archaeological Park? Many of them were born in Captivity at the Macaw Mountain Bird Park in Copan Ruinas. Imagine walking in well kept trails next to a pristine mountain creek and getting up close with a variety of tropical birds. Most of the birds here repossessed by the ICF.  (Instituto de Conservacion Forestal) the Honduras agency in charge of national parks and wildlife. Some can be rehabilitated and released back into the wild. Many can’t. Those that cannot survive back into nature live in large aviaries. A visit to capture the magic of Copan Ruinas is not complete without a visit to Macaw Mountain.[themify_hr border_width=”1″ width=”1″ color=”light-gray”]

So if you would like to experience some good old magic while visiting Honduras, make sure you visit Copan. You will be enchanted when you visit Copan Ruinas, the most magical place in Honduras!