D&D Brewery & Hotel - Craft Beer & Culture in Copán Ruinas, Honduras

About D&D Brewery & Hotel

D&D Brewery & Hotel is one of those delightfully unexpected places that defies categorization. Part craft brewery, part boutique hotel, part backpacker hostel, part community gathering spot — it occupies a uniquely charming niche in the small highland town of Copán Ruinas, gateway to one of the ancient Maya world's most magnificent archaeological sites. Founded by a pair of enterprising expats who fell in love with Honduras and saw an opportunity to combine two great passions — travel and beer — D&D has grown from a modest guesthouse into one of the most talked-about independent hotels in Central America, earning devoted fans from budget backpackers to craft beer aficionados to archaeology enthusiasts.

The property sprawls across a hillside just a short walk from Copán Ruinas' charming central plaza, encompassing lush tropical gardens, a sparkling swimming pool, an open-air restaurant, and of course, the brewery — a small but serious operation that produces a rotating lineup of craft beers using both international brewing traditions and local Honduran ingredients. The Sol de Copán IPA, the Macaw Red Ale, and seasonal specials incorporating local coffee, cacao, and tropical fruits have earned a cult following. Guests can tour the brewery, learn about the brewing process, and sample directly from the source — often in the company of the brewer, who's happy to talk hops and fermentation well into the evening.

But D&D is more than beer and beds. It's a social hub where travelers from around the world converge, swap stories around the pool, play board games on the patio, and plan their explorations of the Copán archaeological site, nearby hot springs, coffee plantations, and birdwatching trails. The vibe is relaxed, friendly, and unpretentious — flip-flops and craft beer, not cocktail attire and concierge calls. Yet the rooms are clean, comfortable, and well-maintained, the food is genuinely good, and the staff's knowledge of the local area is encyclopedic. It's the kind of place where you book two nights and stay a week.

Location

Copán Ruinas is a small, picturesque town nestled in a lush valley in western Honduras, just 14 kilometers from the Guatemalan border. The town exists because of its proximity to the ancient Maya city of Copán, one of the most important archaeological sites in the Americas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980. The ruins are famous for their elaborately carved stelae, the Hieroglyphic Stairway (the longest known Maya text), the Rosalila Temple, and remarkable sculptural artistry that has earned Copán the nickname "the Athens of the Maya world." The town itself has evolved into a charming base for visitors, with cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, excellent restaurants, and a friendly, walkable atmosphere.

D&D Brewery & Hotel is located approximately 10 minutes on foot from Copán Ruinas' central parque, on a hillside that offers views over the town and surrounding valley. The archaeological site is about 1.5 kilometers from the hotel and can be reached by a pleasant 20-minute walk, a quick tuk-tuk ride, or the hotel's shuttle. Beyond the ruins, the Copán valley offers a wealth of attractions: the Macaw Mountain Bird Park (home to rescued scarlet macaws and toucans), the Luna Jaguar hot springs spa, numerous coffee fincas offering tours and tastings, the Enchanted Wings Butterfly House, and excellent hiking trails through cloud forest and agricultural landscapes. For international travelers, the nearest major airport is San Pedro Sula's Ramón Villeda Morales Airport (SAP), approximately 3 hours by road, with several daily shuttle services connecting to Copán Ruinas.

Rooms and Accommodations

Private Double Room

The Private Double Rooms are the sweet spot of the D&D experience — affordable comfort with a dose of style. Each room (approximately 20 square meters) features a double or queen bed with quality mattress, private bathroom with hot water shower, ceiling fan, Wi-Fi, reading lamp, and hooks for gear. Rooms are simply but tastefully decorated with local textiles and art, and windows open onto garden views. These rooms suit couples and solo travelers who want privacy without the cost of a luxury hotel.

Private Twin Room

Identical in size and amenities to the Double Rooms but configured with two single beds, the Twin Rooms are popular with friends traveling together, siblings, or parent-child pairs. They offer the same level of comfort, privacy, and garden atmosphere.

Deluxe Room

D&D's top-tier accommodation, the Deluxe Rooms offer approximately 28 square meters with a king bed, upgraded linens, a slightly larger bathroom with better fixtures, air conditioning (a luxury in Copán's warm climate), a small seating area, minibar, and a private balcony overlooking the pool and gardens. These rooms bridge the gap between budget-friendly and boutique, offering genuine comfort at a fair price.

Dormitory Bed

For budget travelers and solo backpackers, D&D maintains clean, well-maintained dormitory rooms with bunk beds, individual reading lights, USB charging ports, personal lockers, and shared bathroom facilities with hot water. The dorms are social by nature — the kind of place where lifelong friendships are forged over a shared cerveza artesanal after a day exploring ruins.

Things to Do

Tour the D&D Brewery

The heart and soul of the property. Guided brewery tours take guests behind the scenes of D&D's craft beer operation, explaining the ingredients, equipment, and techniques used to produce their distinctive beers. Tours typically conclude with a generous tasting flight that showcases the current lineup — from crisp lagers to hoppy IPAs to rich stouts. Brewing workshops for enthusiasts who want to get hands-on can be arranged with advance notice.

Explore the Copán Ruins

The ancient Maya city of Copán is the reason this town exists, and it's absolutely magnificent. The archaeological park encompasses the Great Plaza with its intricately carved stelae and altars, the Acropolis with its tunnels revealing layers of earlier construction, the Ball Court, and the renowned Hieroglyphic Stairway with over 2,000 individual glyphs. The on-site Museum of Mayan Sculpture houses the stunning full-scale replica of the Rosalila Temple, painted in its original vivid reds, greens, and creams. Budget a full morning or afternoon for the ruins. The hotel can arrange guides who bring the ancient city to life with stories of kings, sacrifices, astronomy, and political intrigue.

Coffee Plantation Tour

Honduras is Central America's largest coffee producer, and the hills surrounding Copán are dotted with small-scale coffee fincas (farms). D&D arranges tours to nearby plantations where guests can see the entire coffee production process — from the cherry on the branch to the roasted bean in your cup. Tours include walking through coffee groves shaded by tropical trees, learning about processing methods (washed, natural, honey), and of course, cupping sessions to taste the difference. Many visitors leave with bags of freshly roasted Copán coffee.

Visit Macaw Mountain Bird Park

This privately operated bird sanctuary and nature reserve, just 3 kilometers from town, is home to dozens of rescued scarlet macaws, military macaws, toucans, motmots, and other tropical birds. The birds are rehabilitated and, when possible, released back into the wild. Visitors walk through forest trails, observe the birds in large flight enclosures, and can even have a macaw perch on their arm for a truly memorable photo. A natural swimming hole on the property provides a refreshing post-visit cool-down.

Soak in Luna Jaguar Hot Springs

About 25 kilometers from Copán Ruinas, the Luna Jaguar spa complex offers natural hot springs set in a forested river valley with a Maya-themed atmosphere. Multiple pools of varying temperatures, from steaming hot to refreshingly cool, are connected by stone pathways and surrounded by lush vegetation. A traditional temazcal (steam bath) is also available. It's the perfect way to spend an afternoon after a morning at the ruins, and D&D can arrange transport.

Hiking and Birdwatching

The Copán valley offers several excellent hiking trails through coffee country, cloud forest, and agricultural landscapes. Birdwatching is rewarding — the scarlet macaw reintroduction program has boosted wild populations around Copán, and sightings of macaws flying over the valley are increasingly common. Other species to watch for include toucans, trogons, motmots, and a variety of hummingbirds. The hotel can connect guests with local birding guides.

Dining

D&D Restaurant

The open-air restaurant at D&D serves a crowd-pleasing menu of Honduran and international dishes at very reasonable prices. Baleadas (the iconic Honduran flour tortilla stuffed with beans, cheese, and cream) are a must-try, as are the grilled chicken with tajadas (fried plantain chips), hearty burgers, wood-fired pizzas, and fresh salads. The kitchen also caters to vegetarian and vegan diets. Portions are generous, quality is consistent, and the setting — overlooking the pool with tropical gardens all around — makes every meal feel like a small vacation within a vacation.

The Brewery Taproom

Adjacent to the brewing operation, the taproom is where D&D's craft beers are served freshest. The lineup typically includes 6-8 beers on tap, ranging from light, easy-drinking lagers to bold, hoppy IPAs and rich, dark stouts. Seasonal specials might incorporate Copán coffee, local cacao, or tropical fruits. Beer flights are available for those who want to try everything. The taproom also serves a selection of bar snacks — nachos, chicken wings, cheese boards — designed to complement the beers.

Poolside Bar

For a more casual drink, the poolside bar serves cocktails, smoothies, fresh juices, and of course, D&D's craft beers. The frozen margaritas and rum-based tropical cocktails are particularly popular on hot afternoons. The bar operates on a relaxed schedule, and it's not uncommon for spontaneous social gatherings to form around the pool as travelers compare notes on their Copán adventures.

Why Stay at D&D Brewery & Hotel

• Central America's most unique hotel concept — a functioning craft brewery where guests can tour, taste, and drink beer brewed meters from their room
• Unbeatable location in Copán Ruinas with walking distance to the town center and easy access to the UNESCO-listed Maya ruins
• Exceptional value for money across all room categories, from budget dorms to comfortable private rooms, in a beautiful garden setting with pool
• Social, traveler-friendly atmosphere that organically creates community — the kind of place where strangers become friends over a beer
• Insider access to local experiences including coffee plantation tours, bird parks, hot springs, and guided archaeology walks curated by knowledgeable staff

See more great places to stay near the ruins in our Top 10 Hotels in Copán Ruinas guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Copán Ruinas from San Pedro Sula?

The drive from San Pedro Sula's Ramón Villeda Morales Airport (SAP) takes approximately 3 hours via a well-maintained highway. Several shuttle companies operate daily scheduled services (departures typically in the morning and afternoon), and private transfers can be arranged through the hotel. From Guatemala City, cross-border shuttles via the El Florido border crossing take approximately 5-6 hours.

Is D&D suitable for non-beer drinkers?

Absolutely! While the brewery is a major draw, D&D is equally enjoyable for those who don't drink beer or alcohol at all. The restaurant serves excellent food, the pool and gardens are wonderful, the location is perfect for exploring Copán, and the social atmosphere doesn't require alcohol to enjoy. The bar also serves cocktails, wine, juices, and smoothies.

What's the weather like in Copán Ruinas?

Copán Ruinas sits at approximately 600 meters elevation, giving it a pleasant subtropical climate. Temperatures typically range from 18°C at night to 30°C during the day. The dry season (November–April) offers the most reliable sunshine, while the rainy season (May–October) brings afternoon showers but also lush green landscapes. Mornings are usually clear year-round, making it a good idea to visit the ruins early.

Can I visit the Copán ruins independently or do I need a guide?

You can explore the ruins independently — entrance tickets are available at the site. However, a licensed guide significantly enhances the experience by explaining the historical context, pointing out details you might miss, and bringing the ancient city to life with stories and interpretation. Guides are available for hire at the entrance, or the hotel can arrange one in advance. Budget approximately 3-4 hours for a thorough visit including the tunnels and sculpture museum.

Does D&D offer tours and excursions?

Yes, the front desk can arrange all major excursions in the Copán area, including guided ruins tours, coffee plantation visits, Macaw Mountain Bird Park trips, Luna Jaguar hot springs transportation, horseback riding, hiking, and cross-border transfers to Guatemala. Prices are competitive and often cheaper than booking through outside tour operators.