Slideshow of Our Trip To Copan by Emiliana

Roatan West Bay to Copan And Return Slideshow: Emiliana’s trip from Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras to 5 cities Guatemala, , San Pedro Sula, Copan and Roatán (near West Bay) was created by TripAdvisor. See another Guatemala slideshow. Create your own stunning slideshow with our free photo slideshow maker.


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Copan Ruinas: A Mystical Mayan Journey-Day Two

Copan at Night

My Copan adventure continues. That evening we returned to LaCasa Rosada then ventured out to explore Copan at night.  Many people were out enjoying a Friday night, street vendors selling food, musicians on the plaza, and other people like ourselves, just exploring and enjoying an exotic spot. Because we had an early morning, we retired to our rooms and called it a night after a wonderfully exciting day.

Breakfast at La Casa Rosada

Saturday morning found us in another wonderful experience-breakfast at La Casa Rosada. The tables were set in the garden with linens and flowers. Coffee was waiting-local Copan Arabica coffee- delicious. We gathered together to enjoy this simple pleasure and start our day. 

Moving to the minibus we proceeded to the Copan Ruinas at about 8 in the morning with the idea that we could experience Copan before it became so hot. That is a good idea if you ever plan a trip.  We arrived and signed in, and as we walked toward the ruins, the macaws (sacred to the Maya) were enjoying the early morning cool air.  They majestically soared above our heads. It was breathtaking and one of many moments this day that took my breath away.

Macaw in the Trees at Copan Ruinas

Another Macaw

The Cosmic Turtle

Altar Where Hearts were Removed from Living Victims

Walter led us through the ruins explaining the glyphs and interpreting what we were seeing from the ball court, to the stele, altars and sacrificial temples where the Maya lopped off heads that rolled down the temple stairs. 

Heiroglyphic staircase which tells the story of the  13th Ruler
"18 Rabbit"

Ball Court

Stele of a Ruler at Copan

 Some parts of the area were especially strange and left a feeling of unease other parts were magical if you allowed yourself to feel the aura of your surroundings.

Temple of Death

After touring the actual sight and experiencing that, we entered the museum which was depicted as entering the underworld, very cool.  The museum contains countless original stele, altars and carvings to preserve and protect them from the elements.  You could spend hours studing each piece and reading descriptions of them.  The only reproduction is of the red temple which sits in the center of the museum and shows how this temple looked in its original state….painted and colorful, truly amazing to see.  When you look at the ruins today, you can detect small pieces of the color and stucco that originally coated them.

The Rosalia Temple

Heron Catching a Fish

Here are some additional pictures of Copan Ruinas and the Museum there.

After spending the cool morning hours at the ruins and museum, we traveled to Macaw Mountain Avery Preserve where beautiful macaws and other species parrots and native Honduran birds are protected and rehabilitated to be re-released back into the wild if possible.

I have one more installment of this trip to recount, and that is our afternoon and departure from Copan….yet another adventure!!!  Stayed tuned.

More pictures of the bird park: Macaw Mountain

Copan Ruinas: A Mystical Mayan Journey: Day One Continued-Hacienda San Lucas

Hacienda San Lucas

Our first day in mainland Honduras and Copan had been very busy so we were all eager to take a little time for ourselves before heading back up the mountain for dinner at the ecolodge, Hacienda San Lucas. We wanted to be sure to arrive in plenty of time to relax and enjoy the Hacienda and especially view the sunset.

Hacienda San Lucas sits above Copan Valley and the Copan river which travels through it. It seems everyone enjoys the chance to cool off in the river as the afternoon turns to evening. We saw families and children swimming, fishing, and relaxing on the cool banks.

Copan River

The Maya also used the river to bring water into their city with a vast and complex aqueduct system similar to what the ancient Romans devised. We saw remnants of the aqueducts in Las Sepulturas earlier in the day.

We traveled up the rocky dirt road as it wound around mountain until Hacienda San Lucas appeared before us. Several dogs eagerly greeted us and led the way up the stairs to the Hacienda.









The Hacienda is so unique, you feel it as soon as you arrive. It is such a tranquil spot, and the hacienda is a 100 year old hand built adobe renovated to solar power.

Reception Area

When we arrived at the reception area, we were encouraged to enjoy the hacienda's 300 acre property. So we placed a drink order and headed down the hill to catch some quiet time as the sun went down. As we were waiting, one of the Maya staff started lighting candles throughout the hacienda.

So Charming

We passed by the outdoor dining area where they were preparing for our dinner later in the evening.

The Dining Area

The hillside below the hacienda slopes down toward the valley. Chairs were positioned to enjoy the view of the mountains, the river, Copan and the ruins. We settled in to relax and await sundown. As we waited, the quiet and peace of our surroundings enveloped us.   Flocks of unusual birds and parrots flew in and landed

The Grounds in Front of the Hacienda

in nearby trees. It was very magical. As the sun began to set, the mist rose through the valley...breathtakingly beautiful and surreal.

Copan Valley at Dusk from the Hacienda

Sunset over the Copan Valley

Oscar Polio, Musician and Healer

After sunset, the path back to the Hacienda was lit by luminaries, and a flute player, Oscar Polio, who treated us to magical tones as we made our way to our table were we would enjoy an authentic Mayan five course candlelight meal prepared in the traditional way.

Our lighted Path

We dined on fresh fruit salad with "cuajada" a kind of soft cheese, pickled green papaya and a hibiscus flower vinaigrette. This was followed by fresh corn "atole" (cream) garnished with seasonal wild flowers of Copan. A fresh corn tamale filled with authentic Maya adobo sauce metate ground chicken and vegetables wrapped in banana leaves and steamed.  The main course was a fire roasted chicken in oak wood, fresh squash and carrots, stewed black beans and fresh corn tortillas straight from the "comal". Dessert was papaya in light syrup and spices with a wedge of rum cake! Amazing and beautifully presented.

Michael and Emiliana

Our Hostess for the evening Augie from Spain

We enjoyed wonderful friendship and a magical experience.  It was an evening to remember, one we will never forget.  The hope is to return and stay overnight at Hacienda San Lucas to better experience this magical place..

Inside the Hacienda