Since the early 1900's, archaeologists and other adventurers visiting Copán - including famed Maya expert Silvanus Morley- have enjoyed the hospitality of the family of Doña Marina Villamil de Welchez. Her family opened their own home to visitors for many years. In the 1930´s, the Carnegie Institute in Washington, D.C., agreed to finance the excavation of the Acropolis, ushering in an era of increased visitation to the region.

Construction begins in 1945.

In the mid 40´s the family of Doña Marina decided to construct a comfortable lodging for the growing number of visitors. The Hotel Marina Copan was named in honor of Doña Marina, a tribute to her pioneering efforts to attract visitors to this remote corner of Honduras. The hotel was built on the site of her family home in 1945.

Doña Marina, inspiration for our hotel.

The Hotel Marina Copan is strategically located in the heart of downtown Copán Ruinas, offering ready access to the cultural and natural wonders of the region. For the past 60 years, our hotel has expanded in many ways to meets the needs of discerning travellers from all over the world.

Doña Marina visits the ruins.

Since its inception, our hotel has been dedicated to helping the community of Copán Ruinas. We have sponsored numerous cultural and social events, have arranged scholarships for local children to study in Copán´s bilingual school, and we have aided and supported the town´s municipal government to encourage the growth of Copán Ruinas.

On October, 2003, Doña Marina received the prestigious National Tourism Excellence Award (left), honoring her pioneering contributions to Honduras tourism. In the picture below, Honduran President Ricardo Maduro (right) presents the award to Doña Marina and her husband Raúl.

Today, the Hotel Marina Copan sets the standard for tourism in the region. Visitors to Copán can be assured that our hotel will continue to be their second home in western Honduras.

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