Nature sites in Santa Rosa

While visiting Santa Rosa de Copán, you can enjoy the beautiful natural settings of the surrounding areas, an agreeable climate and the local color of the people, which is one of the most important draws of Western Honduras. Watch the clouds roll over the mountain in the morning, enjoy the pure air from the surrounding pine forests, and become enchanted by the surrounding villages. Among the best of local natural attractions you will find the following:

La Hondura:
Located 2 kilometers to the west of the city, La Hondura is the principal source of water for Santa Rosa. While walking to the water source, you can enjoy a lovely nature trail and observe rural activities.

El Parque de Diversión La Sabana:
La Sabana is a water park as well as a recreational center with kids’ games, a small restaurant, swimming pools, and soccer, volleyball and basketball fields. Here you can spend a wonderful afternoon with your family.

Parque Centenario El Cerrito:
El Cerrito is a complex of parks within Santa Rosa that includes the Children’s Park, Copan Galel, basketball courts, a soccer stadium, a monument to the Virgin Mary and a lookout point. You will find all of this to the west of the city center by following Calle Centernario. Details of each attraction are as follows:

Parque Infantil: The Children’s park is the size of half of a soccer field and surrounded by trees. The park contains games for children of all ages and benches for the parents. It is open Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. The park is a popular weekend activity for Santa Rosan families.

Copán Galel: Copán Galel is a sports complex that consists of a soccer field, running track, bleachers and refreshment stand. Copán Galel is open every day from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Canchas de básquet y Monumento a la Madre: Next to Copan Galel you will also find basketball courts and the monument to the Virgin Mary. Both of these attractions are accessable 24 hours a day.

Estadio Infantil: The children’s stadium is a soccer field exclusively for children, with bleachers and locker rooms. The stadium holds 500 people.

Mirador el Cerrito: The lookout, Mirador el Cerrito, is a beautiful spot located just past Copan Galel on Calle Centenario. This lookout presents a panoramic view of the city. At this site, you can enjoy a peaceful environment and fresh air courtesy of the surrounding plants and trees. You must first climb the 105 stair to reach the top, but it is well worth the effort. In addition, at the top, there is also a monument dedicated to the cultural heritage of the Mayans.

La Montañita:
La Montañita or “Little Mountain” is located just 10 minutes outside of Santa Rosa on the highway to Gracias. There is a sign off of the highway, which marks the dirt road that will take you to the parking lot. La Montañita is a beautiful natural park surrounded by pine trees and includes a lake. In the park, the visitor can bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the lake, or simply sit back and relax while enjoying the scenery. You can also walk the path through the woods that circles the lake and climbs the hill. The park is open to visitors at all hours, but be advised that there are no guards at the park at night.

Balneario Doricentro:
Within La Montañita park, you will find Balneario Doricentro, which is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. a 6:00 p.m. The entrance fee is Lps.20.00 (about $1) per person.

Balneario “Las Tres Js”:
Tres J’s is a hot springs water park located 24 kilometers from Santa Rosa on the highway to Gracias. The park is accessible by a well-maintained paved road. Tres J’s is open every day from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. The entrance fee is Lps. 30.00 (about $1.50) per person.

Balneario San Antonio:
Balneario San Antonio is a hotel and swimming pool located on the road to Vivistario, about 30 minutes from Santa Rosa. Entry to the pool is 25 lps for adults and 15 lps for children. Hotel rooms are 300 lps each (about $15).