National park · Honduras
Cerro Azul de Copán National ParkCerro Azul de Copán
Enter Cerro Azul de Copán National Park for about HNL 30 – 50 (≈ US$1.2‑2) and hike the summit trail (≈ 3 h round‑trip) in the dry season Feb‑Apr; avoid the rainy months Jun‑Nov.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
155 km² (60 sq mi)60 sq mi (155 km²)
approximate
Established
1987
Best months
Feb–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Honduras ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Honduras's migration authority or a Honduran consulate; the CA-4 agreement with Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua can make your permitted stay count across all four.
- Honduras ↗Transit San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa by day and with pre-arranged transport; do not use public buses between cities.
- Honduras ↗Do not travel to Gracias a Dios (La Mosquitia) except with a specialist operator; several governments advise against all travel there.
- Honduran Highlands ↗Move between towns by day only; night driving on highland roads is not worth it.
- Honduran Highlands ↗Carry lempiras in cash outside Copán Ruinas and Tegucigalpa; cards work in hotels, not at roadside stops.
At a glance
- Country
- Honduras
- Area
- 155 km² (60 sq mi)60 sq mi (155 km²)
- Park covers 15,460 ha (≈ 154.6 km²) as reported by Wikivoyage; exact boundaries may vary (check).
- Established
- 1987
- Best months
- Feb–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Cerro Azul de Copán National Park protects remote cloud‑forest on the western Honduran Highlands, featuring a 2,285 m summit, limestone caves, thermal springs and rich birdlife, including the resplendent quetzal in April‑May.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1987.
Size and age
155 km² (60 sq mi)60 sq mi (155 km²) · national park since 1987
Park covers 15,460 ha (≈ 154.6 km²) as reported by Wikivoyage; exact boundaries may vary (check).
Why go
- Remote cloud‑forest with abundant birdlife, including the resplendent quetzal in April‑May.
- Summit hike to the 2,285 m peak offers high‑altitude forest and panoramic views.
- Limestone caves can be explored without technical gear, ideal for casual spelunking.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, dry; good for summit.
- FebDry, mild; ideal hiking.
- MarDry, mild; quetzal mating season.
- AprDry, mild; peak bird activity.
- MayTransitional, some rain.
- JunStart of wet season; trails muddy.
- JulWet, frequent showers.
- AugWet, high cloud cover.
- SepWet, possible landslides.
- OctRain decreasing, cooler.
- NovDrying, cooler nights.
- DecCool, dry; occasional frost at summit.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resplendent quetzal (mating season)Apr–May | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Emerald toucanet, highland guan, hummingbirds, tanagers, warblersOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Tapir, puma, margay, spider monkey, howler monkeyAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Santa Rosa de Copán
Road north‑east, 28 km (17 mi) on paved highway; hire a taxi or take a local bus to the park gate.Road north‑east, 17 mi (28 km) on paved highway; hire a taxi or take a local bus to the park gate.
45 min–1 h
From Tegucigalpa
Drive or bus west to Santa Rosa de Copán (≈ 200 km (124 mi)), then follow local road to the park.Drive or bus west to Santa Rosa de Copán (≈ 124 mi (200 km)), then follow local road to the park.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Copán Ruinas
Bus or taxi east 30 km (19 mi) to Santa Rosa de Copán, then continue to the park.Bus or taxi east 19 mi (30 km) to Santa Rosa de Copán, then continue to the park.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Summit area | Trail to the 2,285 m peak, viewpoints, and cloud‑forest. | Open with entry ticket; no guide required. |
| Cave sector | Limestone caves accessible via short side trails. | Open; advisable to have a local guide for safety. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate based on park centre; exact trailhead location not published.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | HNL 30–50 | person | estimate; official fee not published (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Recommended for cave visits and for safety on the summit trail during wet months.
- Camping
- Not permitted inside the park; stay in Santa Rosa de Copán or nearby lodges.
- Fires
- Prohibited; carry out all litter.
Where to stay
Near the park
Santa Rosa de Copán
Hotels, hostels and guesthouses 20‑30 min from the park gate.
Safety
Steep, slippery sections on summit trail medium
Reduced visibility in cloud cover medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Trailhead reachable by car; short walks to summit start point.
- Steep sections not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use local guides to support community income.
- Pack out all waste; avoid single‑use plastics.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cerro Azul de Copán National Park?
Entry is estimated at HNL 30‑50 per person; the official fee is not listed online (check).
What are the best hikes in Cerro Azul de Copán National Park?
The main summit trail (≈ 3 h round‑trip) and short side‑trail to the limestone caves are the most popular routes.
When is the best time to visit Cerro Azul de Copán National Park?
The dry season from February to April offers the most reliable hiking conditions; the rainy months June‑November can make trails slippery.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is not allowed; stay in nearby Santa Rosa de Copán.
Do I need a guide for the cave sections?
A local guide is recommended for safety, though the caves are simple and do not require technical gear.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Cerro Azul de Copán National Park
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