DIPA Sites - El Puente

Located in the municipality of La Jigua in the department of Copán, the Archaeological Park of El Puente lies within the La Florida Valley about an hour to the east of the ruins at Copán. The 5.5 hectare park was declared an Archaeological Zone in 1989 and developed as Honduras´ second archaeological park. Japanese-funded excavations as part of the La Entrada Archeological Project, Second Phase (PALE II) began in 1990. After four years of intensive research and conservation, El Puente opened its doors to the public on January 20, 1994.

Despite its accessibility and proximity to the tourist destination of Copán, El Puente receives very few visitors each year. DIPA is working on innovative ways to encourage visitors to discover El Puente. Among these are a “Maya Village,” a reconstruction of a traditional Maya living area and interpretation of daily life. Also proposed is a Maya demonstration garden displaying native plants and trees used by the ancient Maya for cuisine, medicine and construction. An archeological laboratory showing the process of excavation and a restoration laboratory demonstrating the restoration of artifacts may also be incorporated into the visitor center.