Visiting Macaw Mountain was one of the highlights of my time in Copan Ruinas. In this guide, I’ll cover entry fees, opening hours, how to get there, the birds you can see and my thoughts on whether it is ethical.
Now I know most travelers visit Copan Ruinas for the famous Maya ruins. I mean, the town is literally named after them, so of course they’ll be at the top of your list.
However, Macaw Mountain, officially called Macaw Mountain Parque de Aves y Reserva Natural, ended up being another highlight of my time in Copan Ruinas.
The scarlet macaw is the national bird of Honduras, and if you explore the ruins before visiting Macaw Mountain, you’ll likely see several flying around. Many of these birds are there thanks to the rescue, breeding, and release work carried out by the park.
Macaw Mountain also cares for more than 300 birds from over 30 species. Some were rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, while others were surrendered by people who could no longer care for them.
Birds suitable for release are prepared to return to the wild, while those that cannot survive alone are given a permanent home at the sanctuary.
As someone who grew up with birds and now has two cockatiels of my own, I really enjoyed my visit. Below, I’ll cover prices, opening hours, transport, what you can see, and whether I felt comfortable supporting the park.
Visiting Macaw Mountain In Copan Ruinas: All You Need To Know
🚗 How I Book Cheap Transport In Honduras: GuateGo
Macaw Mountain Quick Information
In a hurry? Here are the most important things to know before visiting Macaw Mountain in Copan Ruinas:
| Information | Answer |
|---|---|
| Location | Around 2 kilometers north of central Copan Ruinas |
| Opening hours | Daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm |
| Entrance fee | Adults and children aged 11+: L250 / US$10 |
| Children’s tickets | Ages 4–10: L125 / US$5 & children under 4 enter free |
| Buying tickets | Purchase them at the entrance |
| How to get there | Take a tuk-tuk from town and consider walking back downhill |
| Journey time | Around 10 minutes by tuk-tuk |
| Time needed | Allow 2–3 hours- this is roughly how long I spent there |
| Best time to visit | A weekday if possible. I visited on a Tuesday afternoon, and it was nearly empty |
| Can you hold the birds? | No. Direct contact is not allowed to protect the birds’ welfare |
Macaw Mountain Entrance Fee
Entrance to Macaw Mountain costs L250 / US$10 for adults and children aged 11 or older. Children aged 4 to 10 pay L125 / US$5, while children under 4 enter free.
You can purchase tickets directly from the counter when you arrive, so there’s no need to organize anything beforehand. This is what I did, and it was all straightforward enough.
Macaw Mountain is privately funded, so your entrance fee helps pay for the birds’ care and supports its rescue, rehabilitation and conservation work.
If you’re still working out how much money you will need for the rest of the country, my Honduras travel budget guide breaks down accommodation, food, transport and activity costs.
Opening Hours And Best Time To Visit
Macaw Mountain is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, including weekends and public holidays.
If you have some flexibility, I recommend visiting on a weekday when the park is quieter. I visited on a Tuesday afternoon after spending the morning at the Copan Mayan Ruins, and there were only a few other people around.
Combining the ruins in the morning with Macaw Mountain in the afternoon worked really well for me.
However, it can get pretty hot, so you may prefer arriving earlier if you aren’t trying to fit both highlights into the same day.
How To Get To Macaw Mountain
Macaw Mountain is about 2 kilometers from central Copan Ruinas. You can either take a tuk-tuk or walk, although I recommend combining the two.
Tuk-tuk: This is the easiest way to reach Macaw Mountain. You can find tuk-tuks waiting around the central square or flag one down in the street. Just ask for either Macaw Mountain or Parque de Aves. The ride takes 10 minutes and should cost around L25–L40 / US$1–$2 each way. Make sure to confirm the price with your driver before leaving.
Walk: You can also walk to Macaw Mountain by following the road toward Sesesmil and Agua Caliente. It takes around 30–40 minutes from the center of town, with the final part of the journey heading uphill, which isn’t fun in the heat.
Personally, I recommend taking a tuk-tuk there and walking back since most of the return journey is downhill. This is what we did after struggling to find a tuk-tuk outside the park near closing time.
If you don’t want to walk back, arrange a collection time with your driver before they leave.
How Long To Spend At Macaw Mountain
I recommend allowing between 2 and 3 hours for Macaw Mountain. The park covers around 10 acres, with its aviaries and walking trails, so trying to see everything in an hour would feel pretty rushed.
Personally, I spent around 3 hours wandering around at my own pace, watching the birds and taking far too many photos. As a bird lover, I was more than happy not to rush through.
If you aren’t quite as bird-obsessed as me, around 90 minutes to 2 hours may be enough. It also fits easily into the same day as the Copan Ruins, which is exactly how I visited, so you don’t need to set aside an entire day.
Birds You Can See
Macaw Mountain may be best known for its scarlet macaws, but these certainly aren’t the only birds living here. You can also see parrots, parakeets, toucans, and several birds of prey.
The exact birds may change as new arrivals are rescued and others are prepared for release. However, these are some of the species I saw and photographed during my visit.
Scarlet Macaw
Scarlet macaws are the stars of Macaw Mountain and the national bird of Honduras. Their bright red, yellow, and blue feathers make them pretty hard to miss, whether they are inside the park or flying freely above the Copan Ruins.
Macaw Mountain has also played an important role in rebuilding the free-flying scarlet macaw population around Copan, so remember to look up occasionally!
🚗 How I Book Cheap Transport In Honduras: GuateGo
Great Green Macaw
Great green macaws are mostly green with a red forehead, pale blue feathers around their lower back and tail, and an enormous black beak.
They’re one of the largest parrots found within their natural range and are threatened by habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade.
Blue And Yellow Macaw
Another bird you definitely won’t overlook is the blue-and-yellow macaw. As the name suggests, these large parrots have bright blue feathers across their back and wings, contrasting with the yellow feathers covering their chest.
Their faces are also particularly interesting, with bare white skin and thin lines of small black feathers around their eyes.
White-Fronted Amazon
The white-fronted Amazon is the smallest of the Amazon parrots and is named after the patch of white feathers above its beak.
They are mainly green with touches of blue and red, making them a little less flashy than the macaws but still incredibly sweet.
Keel-billed Toucan
The keel-billed toucan is instantly recognizable by its oversized rainbow-colored bill. Seriously, I don’t think I had ever seen so many different colors on one bird before!
Great Curassow
The great curassow looks completely different from the parrots and toucans found around the park.
It’s a large black-and-white bird with a yellow knob above its bill and an impressive curly crest. Honestly, this bird was absolutely rocking its hairstyle.
White-crowned Parrot
White-crowned parrots have a white forehead and crown, a dark blue head and neck, and a mostly green body.
The combination of colors reminded me a little of the birds back home in New Zealand.
Orange-fronted Parakeet
The orange-fronted parakeet is much smaller than the macaws, with a green body, blue markings and a small orange patch above its beak.
They are easy to overlook beside the larger birds, so take your time around each aviary.
Collared Aracari
The collared aracari belongs to the toucan family and has a bright yellow body with red and black markings.
This was actually my favorite bird at Macaw Mountain. Seriously, I mean, just look at that cheeky face!
Yellow-eared Toucanet
The yellow-eared toucanet was another unusual bird I spotted during my visit.
It has a mostly dark body with an olive-colored back, orange patches along its sides, and bright markings around its face and eyes.
My Experience At Macaw Mountain
I visited Macaw Mountain in the afternoon, and not going to lie, I was pretty tired after spending the morning exploring the ruins.
After seeing scarlet macaws flying freely above the site and being completely mesmerized by them, I knew I wanted to learn more.
Arriving At Macaw Mountain
After lunch at our favorite cafe in Copan Ruinas, Cafe San Rafael (homemade cheese, anybody?), we gathered enough energy to head back out into the heat and hired a tuk-tuk to take us up to Macaw Mountain.
I’m not going to lie, the park was almost empty when we arrived. It was a random Tuesday afternoon, though, so we were thankful to share it with only a few other people.
After purchasing our tickets and following the first trail into the park, we could hear the birds before we saw them. There was squeaking, chirping, and plenty of the loud noises you would expect from hundreds of parrots!
Exploring The Aviaries And Trails
I’ve always been a huge bird lover. I grew up with them and now have two cockatiels that fly freely around my house, so I have pretty strong feelings about keeping birds in cages.
At Macaw Mountain, the birds were kept in aviaries rather than small cages, but I still had mixed feelings about some of the permanent residents.
I understand why birds need to be contained during rehabilitation and why some can never survive in the wild. However, I would still love to see an enormous free-flight aviary for those unable to be released.
One of the most memorable parts of my visit was seeing a couple of week-old macaws that would eventually be released into the wild. We also saw some older birds that were being prepared for release, although we weren’t here long enough to witness the actual moment they were set free.
Away from the aviaries, trails run through the surrounding forest and alongside a small river, where some local boys were swimming during my visit. We could also see released macaws flying between the trees overhead.
The Interactive Bird Area
The interactive area was certainly an interesting part of my visit. At the time, the birds could move in and out of their enclosures and approach visitors if they wanted to.
A few came slightly too close for comfort. I mean, macaws are huge, and have you seen those beaks?! They appeared pretty curious about the small number of people walking through.
Macaw Mountain has since stopped allowing visitors to hold or touch the birds and now limits direct contact.
Honestly, I’m really pleased to see this change because it allows people to observe the macaws up close without treating them like props for photos.
Overall, I really enjoyed my time at Macaw Mountain. It was a memorable way to finish our stay in Copan Ruinas and gave me a much better understanding of the work being done to return scarlet macaws to the wild.
Is Macaw Mountain Ethical?
Based on what I saw during my visit and the park’s current policies, I felt comfortable supporting Macaw Mountain.
However, I wouldn’t claim it’s “not a zoo.”
Although its Spanish name describes it as a parque de aves, or bird park, Macaw Mountain also carries out rescue, rehabilitation, and release work.
Macaw Mountain itself says it operates as an educational zoological park under a permit from the Honduran Department of Forestry, as well as being a rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation center.
Animal welfare is something I take seriously when deciding which attractions to support. I am vegetarian, usually avoid zoos, and now have two cockatiels of my own, so seeing birds living in enclosures is something I naturally question.
Its Rescue And Release Work
Many of the birds at Macaw Mountain were rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, confiscated by authorities, or surrendered by owners who could no longer care for them.
Birds capable of surviving independently are prepared for release through the park’s work with PRO-ALAS. Those unable to fly or forage successfully may remain permanently, while some form breeding pairs whose chicks can eventually be released.
This work is producing measurable results.
The World Parrot Trust has documented released scarlet macaws breeding successfully around Copan. In June 2026, another 12 were released, bringing the free-flying population in the area to 143 birds.
My Verdict
So, is Macaw Mountain ethical? I’d describe it as a responsible conservation park that I personally felt comfortable supporting, although that doesn’t mean every aspect is perfect.
Its genuine rescue and release work, successful free-flying population, and newer hands-off policy are all positive signs.
I had some reservations about the permanent aviaries during my visit, but I also understand that many of these birds can’t safely return to the wild.
You’ll still see captive birds living in aviaries, so some people may reach different conclusions depending on what they are comfortable supporting. However, I was happy that my entrance fee helped fund the birds’ care and the park’s wider conservation work.
My Tips For Visiting
Honestly, Macaw Mountain is a pretty easy place to visit, but there are still a few things I recommend knowing beforehand:
- Visit the Copan Ruins first: This is exactly what I did, and seeing the scarlet macaws flying freely above the ruins made me appreciate the work at Macaw Mountain so much more.
- Give yourself two to three hours: I know that may sound like a long time for a bird park, but everything is quite spread out. Plus, if you’re anything like me, you’ll spend far too long watching each bird and taking hundreds of photos.
- Don’t arrive at the last minute: Macaw Mountain closes at 4:00 pm, so I would aim to arrive by 1:00 pm. You don’t want to rush around the entire park while the staff are trying to close up.
- Visit on a weekday: I went on a random Tuesday afternoon, and the place was practically empty. Seriously, it felt like we had most of the park to ourselves.
- Take a tuk-tuk up and walk back: The journey there is uphill, so your legs will thank you. The walk back is mostly downhill and much easier.
- Arrange a return ride if you don’t want to walk: We struggled to find a tuk-tuk outside when we left near closing time. Ask your driver to collect you later rather than assuming another one will be waiting.
- Bring plenty of water: Even with all the trees, it was still ridiculously hot during my afternoon visit. Comfortable shoes and sunscreen are also a good idea.
- Don’t expect to hold the birds: Direct contact is now limited, which I honestly think is a positive change. You can still get close enough for some pretty incredible photos.
- Remember to look up: Not all the macaws are inside the aviaries! Keep an eye on the trees for released birds flying freely above the park.
Planning Your Trip To Copan Ruinas
Of course, Macaw Mountain isn’t the only reason to spend a few days in Copan Ruinas. It may be a small town, but between the Maya ruins, hot springs, cafes, and nearby attractions, there is plenty to keep you busy.
Coming from Guatemala? My Antigua to Copan Ruinas guide compares the tourist shuttle, public buses, and private transfers.
Below are my recommendations for where to stay and a few more things worth doing during your visit.
Where To Stay In Copan Ruinas
Copan Ruinas doesn’t have a huge hostel scene, but there are still plenty of affordable guesthouses and small hotels to choose from. The town is also pretty compact, so you don’t need to stress too much about location.
Personally, I stayed at Hostel Iguana Azul, which offers both dorms and private rooms. I booked a private room with a shared bathroom and a fan. The facilities were definitely on the basic side, but for the price, I thought it was an excellent choice.
If you would prefer somewhere with a private bathroom or a few more comforts, I’ve included several other options below.
 My favorite choice for an affordable option. Dorm rooms start from $12.00 per night and private $22.00 per night. BOOK NOW |  Another affordable choice close to the town center. Private rooms start from $21.00 per night with a shared bathroom. BOOK NOW |
 La Casa de Cafe Bed And Breakfast This is the fancy sister property of Iguana Azul. It’s super nice and rooms start from $70.00 per night. BOOK NOW |  A centrally located b&b with excellent views to the nearby park. Rooms start from $27.00 per night. BOOK NOW |
🚗 How I Book Cheap Transport In Honduras: GuateGo
Other Things To Do In Copan Ruinas
Macaw Mountain may be a highlight, but you’ll find plenty of other things to do in town.
These are a few of the main ones, though you can find even more in my complete guide to the best things to do in Copan Ruinas.
Wander around town: Copan Ruinas is small enough to explore on foot, with cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, souvenir shops, and plenty of cafes. You can also check out the local market for fresh produce, cheese, and tortillas.
Explore the Copan Ruins: This is the obvious one, but there’s no way you can come all this way and skip them! I visited the Copan Mayan Ruins in the morning, which was the best way to somewhat beat the heat. Make sure you check out the Hieroglyphic Stairway, which contains more than 1,800 Maya glyphs.
Visit the Copan Sculpture Museum: Located beside the archaeological site, this museum protects many of the original sculptures found around the ruins. The main highlight is the full-size reconstruction of the Rosalila Temple.
Relax at Luna Jaguar Hot Springs: If you have an extra half-day, Luna Jaguar has thermal pools, mud treatments, and massages. It is around 22 kilometers from town and the road can be pretty rough, so organizing transportation is much easier than trying to make your own way there.
Once you have finished exploring Copan Ruinas, you may want to continue toward the Caribbean coast. My Copan Ruinas to La Ceiba guide covers the tourist shuttle, public buses, prices and journey times.
FAQs About Visiting Macaw Mountain
Do you need to book Macaw Mountain in advance?
No, you don’t need to book Macaw Mountain in advance. You can purchase your ticket directly from the counter when you arrive, which is exactly what I did.
Can you hold or touch the macaws at Macaw Mountain?
No, visitors can’t hold or touch the macaws at Macaw Mountain. Direct contact was allowed during my visit, but the park now has a hands-off policy to reduce stress and encourage more natural behavior.
Are there free-flying macaws at Macaw Mountain?
Yes, released scarlet macaws can often be seen flying freely around Macaw Mountain and across the wider Copan Valley. Sightings aren’t guaranteed, but I saw them above both the park and the Copan Ruins during my visit.
Is Parque de Aves The Same As Macaw Mountain?
Yes. Macaw Mountain’s full Spanish name is Macaw Mountain Parque de Aves y Reserva Natural, although you may also hear it shortened to Parque de Aves.
Wrap Up: Visiting Macaw Mountain In Copan Ruinas
Macaw Mountain ended up being one of the highlights of my time in Copan Ruinas. Like most travelers, I originally came for the famous Maya ruins, but seeing the scarlet macaws flying freely above them made me want to learn a bit more about the work being done.
As a huge bird lover, I really enjoyed wandering around the park, seeing the different species and learning about the releases.
If you love birds, wildlife, or conservation, I definitely think Macaw Mountain deserves a place on your Copan Ruinas itinerary. And even if you don’t, I still think it’s well worth checking out.
If Macaw Mountain is one stop on a longer trip, my 2 week Honduras itinerary will help you plan the rest of your route.
LIKE IT? PIN IT!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. So, if you click on it and purchase something, I get a small percentage at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and your support is much appreciated.
Related Posts
Backpacking Roatan On A Budget: My Complete Travel Guide
Looking for the best hostels in Roatan? I’ll share my honest experience with the island’s [...]
How To Get From Copan Ruinas To La Ceiba (2026)
Traveling from Copan Ruinas to La Ceiba is a full day journey, taking you to [...]
Honduras vs Belize: Which Is Better for Travelers?
Honduras vs Belize might look like an easy choice, but once you consider costs, safety, [...]
Backpacking Copan Ruinas: My Complete Travel Guide
Planning on backpacking Copan Ruinas, Honduras? After spending three nights exploring the town and unexpectedly [...]
Learn To Dive In Roatan: My PADI Open Water Experience & Costs
Thinking about learning to dive in Roatan? I got my PADI Open Water certification here, [...]
Cost To Travel Honduras: What Should You Budget?
Keen to visit Honduras but not sure how much to save? I’ll help you work [...]
Macaw Mountain Copan Ruinas: Prices, Hours & My Experience
Visiting Macaw Mountain was one of the highlights of my time in Copan Ruinas. In [...]
2 Comments
Best Things To Do In Copan Ruinas: Ruins, Macaws & More
Looking for the best things to do in Copan Ruinas? The Maya ruins are an [...]
Best Beaches In Roatan: Where To Swim & Snorkel (2026)
Want to know which of Roatan’s beaches are worth your time? Half Moon Bay was [...]
2 Comments
Pico Bonito National Park: Everything You Need To Know
Just outside La Ceiba, Pico Bonito National Park ended up being one of my favorite [...]
2 Weeks In Honduras Itinerary: My Recommended Route
Planning 2 weeks in Honduras and want to see both the mainland and the islands? [...]
Visiting The Copan Mayan Ruins: My Complete Guide
If you’re visiting Copan Ruinas, chances are the famous Copan Mayan Ruins are the main [...]
Roatan To Belize: The BEST Scenic Commercial Flight
If you are an ocean lover and perhaps are thinking of taking a scenic flight, [...]
Best Hostels In La Ceiba For Budget Backpackers 2026
Looking for the best hostels in La Ceiba? Whether you’re stopping overnight before heading to [...]
Snorkeling The Blue Channel In Roatan: My Honest Experience
I saw plenty of fish and even eagle rays while snorkeling the Blue Channel in [...]
White Water Rafting In La Ceiba: My Experience On The Cangrejal River
I only ended up white water rafting in La Ceiba after booking a stay at [...]
La Ceiba To Roatan: Ferry Schedules, Prices & Flights (2026)
Planning to travel from La Ceiba to Roatan? I’ll break down the current ferry schedules, [...]
Antigua To Copan Ruinas: How To Travel From Guatemala To Honduras
If you want to travel from Guatemala to Honduras, come find out exactly how to [...]
6 Comments
Backpacking Honduras: The Ultimate Travel Guide
Backpacking Honduras completely surprised me. From the ruins of Copan to the beaches of Roatan, [...]
19 Best Things To Do In Roatan, Honduras: 2026 Guide
Looking for the best things to do in Roatan? From learning to scuba dive and [...]
It seems you missed the opportunity to actually meet and discuss MM with Lloyd, the man who made the project possible. Likewise, If you actually call those aviaries “normal sized”, clearly you have not seen many.
Hey D, I would’ve absolutely loved to meet Lloyd. There’s honestly nothing I love more than talking birds, and I’m super passionate about all things avian.
I visited as a regular traveller, experiencing Macaw Mountain the same way most visitors would, so that’s the perspective I wrote from.
I definitely didn’t mean anything negative about the aviaries or the work being done there, which I think is amazing. My comment was more that, for the birds who can’t be rehabilitated back into the wild, it would be lovely to see a huge netted aviary one day rather than a more standard-sized aviary. I do still stand by that, while also completely understanding that funding, space, and logistics would make something like that complicated.