How to Visit the Luna Jaguar Spa from Copán Ruinas
Our honest review of Honduras’ Jaguar Moon Spa near Copán Ruinas.
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Relaxing in a hot pool, heated by underground, volcanic energy, as rain tapped on the lush canopy above us and thunder boomed over our heads with no one else in sight, is one of the most surreal and magical experiences we’ve ever had.
If you’ve heard of the natural hot springs near Copán Ruinas (aguas termales), then you might be considering visiting the Luna Jaguar Spa. Discover everything you need to know about this unique geothermal spa tucked into the mountains in Honduras, from tickets, entrance fees, and opening hours to how to get there and when to go, in this complete guide.
Luna Jaguar Spa at a glance
More from Copán Ruinas
About the Luna Jaguar Spa
The Luna Jaguar Spa is a Mayan-themed natural hot spring and eco-spa tucked into the lush hills of the Copán Valley, not far from Copán Ruinas town and the famous Mayan ruins.
Water temperatures range from warm to steaming hot – the underground stream reaches temperatures of 98°C (208°F), while the hottest pool is a balmy 45°C (113°F). You can relax in the hot pools, get a massage, or try their signature mud bath that leaves your skin silky smooth. With naturally fed thermal pools, cold baths, and treatments on offer, the Luna Jaguar Spa is one of the best things to do in Copán Ruinas.
Where is Luna Jaguar Spa?
Luna Jaguar Spa is located near the small village of Agua Caliente (aptly meaning ‘hot water’, about 14 miles (22 km) northeast of Copán Ruinas. It sits in western Honduras near the border with Guatemala.
The area forms part of the Gracias a Dios hot spring system, a natural network of thermal waters that locals have enjoyed for centuries.
Luna Jaguar Spa Map
We’ve pinned the Luna Jaguar Spa and its office in Copán Ruinas on the interactive map below.
How to get to the Luna Jaguar Spa
The journey to the Luna Jaguar Spa takes between 1-1.5 hours from Copán Ruinas and is a bit bumpy, winding into the mountains.
The road to the Luna Jaguar Spa has always been in pretty bad condition, but they’re improving it, so it should be ok for normal cars to drive soon (although wet season can still cause potholes and mud due to increased rain). If you don’t have a 4×4, you can arrange transfers with a local tour operator or at the Luna Jaguar Spa ticket office in town. It is not suitable for tuk-tuks.
When to visit Luna Jaguar Spa
Generally, the best time to visit outdoor attractions in Honduras, like the Luna Jaguar Spa, is in the dry season, from November to April. This is when the weather is nicest and the road is easiest to drive.
However, we visited in the wet season and would argue that the rain only enhances the experience. You can hear it tapping on the trees above the pools, and it adds a really dramatic element to the experience. So, you’ll have a nice time, whatever time of year you visit.
Weekdays are slightly quieter than weekends. We’d recommend arriving slightly before you’re allowed to enter, but you can coordinate this with the office when you buy your ticket.
Since it’s quite a far trip, we’d recommend making a day of it, first visiting the Copán Archaeological Site and Macaw Mountain Bird Park.
If you’re driving yourself, be sure to leave with enough time to get back to Copán Ruinas before it gets dark. If you do stay into the night, the site is lit up with multi-coloured lighting, which reflects off the rising steam and adds a lovely ambience.
How long to spend at Luna Jaguar Spa
Most visitors spend 2-4 hours at Luna Jaguar Spa, though you can easily make a half-day of it if you add in a meal or a massage.
A typical visit includes time to soak in the thermal pools, apply a natural clay mask, and relax under the shaded trees with a drink in hand.
If you’re visiting as part of a tour from Copán, you’ll usually have around 3 hours on-site before returning in the afternoon.
Logistics for visiting the Luna Jaguar Spa
Visiting the Luna Jaguar Spa is pretty easy, but it’s good to know a few details in advance to make your trip smoother.
Luna Jaguar Spa Entrance Fee
You can buy your ticket for the Luna Jaguar Spa at the ticket office in Copán Ruinas. It’s $30 USD per person, which includes round-trip transportation from Copán Ruinas and entry to the spa.
The van leaves at 2:00 PM, arriving around 3:00 PM and leaving at 6:00 PM, so you have around 3 hours. If you want more time, you can arrange private transportation with a local operator.
Luna Jaguar Spa Opening Hours
The Luna Jaguar Spa is open Monday to Saturday (closed Sundays) from 1:00 PM-9:00 PM, with last entry at 7:00 PM.
The office in Copán Ruinas is open Monday to Saturday, from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM.
What to expect at Luna Jaguar Spa Hot Springs
When you arrive at the Luna Jaguar Spa, you’ll be met by staff and shown around the site. The site is pretty large, with over 15 pools of varying temperatures and depths, plus two swimming pools. Some even have little waterfalls falling into them – the ones nearer the source are usually hotter, so choose one lower down if you like it colder. Dan struggled a bit with some of the hotter pools, but I was in my element.
It’s not a luxury spa experience, but it’s integrated well into the natural environment, so it has a more wild and secluded feel to it. The pools are manmade and fed naturally with geothermally heated water. Bathing in them under the steamy rainforest canopy is absolutely incredible.
There’s steam everywhere and the pools are hot, so you shouldn’t stay in each for longer than 15 minutes or so. Bring a reusable water bottle and stay hydrated.
It’s a reasonably large site, and the pools are spread out, so it’s not hard to have a pool all to yourself. You can wear flip-flops between pools, but be careful because the stone walkways can get slippery. You might find it’s just easier to accept the jungle experience and go barefoot.
Luna Jaguar Spa Amenities
There are lockers at the entrance, where you can keep your belongings, and showers and changing rooms are also available.
Part of the site even has WiFi, though you’ll probably want to disconnect and enjoy the natural surroundings instead.
You can also treat yourself to massages and wellness therapies, including mud facials made from volcanic clay sourced from the area, for an additional fee.
No food or drink is allowed in, so you’re restricted to their vendors, which sell drinks and snacks, and restaurant, which offers classic Honduran cuisine at affordable prices. You could also eat nearby at Finca El Cisne, a popular coffee farm, or Restaurante Julita, where we really liked the authentic, communal dining set-up.
It’s best to bring cash in Honduran lempiras, as card payments aren’t always accepted.
Is the Luna Jaguar Spa worth it?
The Luna Jaguar Spa is absolutely worth visiting. It’s a truly unique experience to bathe in the hot geothermal pools in the middle of the jungle. It was our first natural hot spring experience, but it still stands as one of our favourites, rivalling more famous sites throughout Central America in Costa Rica and El Salvador.
However, some people have complained about the journey being long and uncomfortable, so it may not be for you if you don’t want to venture too far from town. If you’re seeking a luxury spa experience, this might not be the best choice either.
What to pack to visit the Luna Jaguar Spa
To ensure an enjoyable experience at the Luna Jaguar Spa, it’s important to pack the right things. Don’t forget to pack your:
Planning a trip to Copán Ruinas?
Prepare for your trip to Copán Ruinas with our comprehensive travel guides! They include lots of handy tips like how to get to the town and the Mayan ruins, as well as the best things to do, tours, accommodation, restaurants, and more.
