Copán

Rosa Lila Tunnels - Jaguar Tunnels

Useful Information

Location:	Western Honduras. (14.8373163, -89.1412132)
Open:
Fee:	Ruins: Foreigners US$ 10, Locals US$ 2. Tunnels: US$ 12. (extra) Museum: US$5. [2004]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:	L=4,000 m.
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:	William Fash, Barabara Fash (1991): Scribes, Warriors and Kings: City of Copán, William Fash, Ricardo Argucia (1998): History Carved in Stone, 3rd ed.
Address:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

27-FEB-1998	entrance to tunnels broken and grave of Copán's Red Lady ransacked.
MAR-1999	tunnels opened to the public.

Description

The magnificent ruins of Copán is a major Maya site. Beneath the Rosalila Temple are the Rosa Lila and Jaguar tunnels which have recently, 2002, been opened up for public inspection.

Text by Tony Oldham (2004). With kind permission.

The tunnels are artificial and made by the archaeologists during decades, in search of archaeological remains. Today there are four kilometers of tunnels. Numerous important tombs were discovered with these tunnels.

The tunnels are open to public inspection, but only on a very limited basis. Only ten persons are allowed at a time in each tunnel, and they must be accompanied by a guide. There is a rather expensive additional fee.

Rosa Lila Tunnel is located below temple 16 and is perhaps the best preserved stucco building of the Maya civilization. Because of its importance there is also a full size replica, which can be seen at the Museum of Mayan Sculpture on site. So it is not necessary to visit the real tunnel to see this artwork.

The Los Jaguares Tunnel contains Galindo's Tomb, one of the most important tombs in Copán, discovered more than a century ago! This tunnel is 700 m long.