A trip out to the aguas termales (hot springs), 21 kilometers and one hour’s drive northwest of Copán Ruinas on a rough dirt road leaving town at the corner by Hotel Patty, is a great way to spend the afternoon. The springs bubble out of a hillside just above a small river, out in a lovely area of Honduras countryside dotted with coffee plantations and small farms.

If you have your own transportation, it’s worth coming out in the late afternoon (to enjoy the scenery) and staying at the springs until after dark. If you don’t have wheels, hitching out the dirt road for US$1–2 is not difficult, but make sure you head back toward Copán Ruinas by midafternoon to ensure a ride. Entrance to the public pools is US$3. A small stand at the springs sells soft drinks, beers, and snacks.

There have been very mixed reports about the private installations on the other side of the river run by Luna Jaguar (tel. 504/651-4746, US$10). Some visitors have loved them, others felt they were overpriced, and still others felt they were downright unsafe (particularly for children). Tickets are available in town at the Luna Jaguar Spa Resort, as well as at other hotels and travel agencies, who can also help arrange transportation, but it may be better to take a look for yourself before deciding between the private baths and the public ones.