• Get in
• Get around
• See
• Do
• Buy
• Eat
• Drink
• Get out

Copán was one of the great centers of Maya civilization over a thousand years ago. The beautiful ruins have some of the most impressive pre-Columbian art anywhere. Near the ruins is the modern town of nearly the same name - Copan Ruinas, with clean hotels and other facilities for visitors.

Sculpture at Ruinas de Copan

The ruins are quite substantial and a major tourist attraction in western Honduras. While less visited than the better known tourist attraction ruins like Chichen Itza, many people find them even more interesting.

Copán is in a fertile river valley and nestled among rolling hills, at an elevation so it is not so very hot as some of the Central American rainforest sites.

Parque Central in Copan Ruinas town

[edit] Get in

There are direct buses from San Pedro Sula and Guatemala.

Elsewhere in Honduras: There are regular shuttle buses to Copan Ruinas (L40) from La Entrada, a regional transport hub about 1-2 hours from Copan. Find a bus that passes through La Entrada (San Jose, San Pedro Sula, Nueva Ocotepeque, etc.)

Guatemala: There are daily shuttles that depart Antigua, Guatemala at 4 am and arrive in Copan Ruinas around 10:30 am. Most travel agents in Antigua sell tickets for this shuttle. Prices vary from $7 to $12.

El Salvador: Cross the border at El Poy. From there you can get a share taxi to Nueva Ocotepeque (L20). Board a San Jose bound bus and get off at La Entrada (L90). There you can find a minibus to Copan Ruinas (L40).

[edit] Get around

Mini Taxi in the city of Copan Ruinas

Copan is a small comfortable community. If you are a walker and sure-footed, it is safe to walk the cobblestone streets anywhere in town or walk to the ruins on foot. Horse riding close by or to the ruins is also an option.

Mini Cabs will take you anywhere in town for a small fee.

The Mayan Ruins are a short walk out of town and a further 20 minutes walk will take you to Las Sepulturas, a section of the ruins that many people fail to visit. There is also a short nature walk at the main ruins which will take you past a very small ruin.

[edit] See

Face at Ruinas de Copan

The ruins of the ancient city are the highlight of Copan. Although quite extensive, they are not as huge as Tikal in Guatemala or Teotihuacan in Mexico, but there is more sculpture here than any other Pre-Columbian city. The ruins are prized for the carved stellae of ancient rulers, and the well preserved hieryoglyphics including the hieryoglyphic stairway. Also in the archeological park is a marvelous Mayan museum with a reconstructed temple and fabulous artifacts. If you love Maya art or ancient ruins can you can easily spend 2 full days here.

Other popular activities in and around Copan include horseback riding, hiking, canopy zip glide, fine dining at La Hacienda, and a dip in the nearby hot springs. Horseback riding or guided hikes can take you to La Pintada, a Maya Chorti village, and to Los Sapos, which is a small ruin not included in the archaeological park.

Besides the ruins, the countryside is attractive. Slow paced local life is quite calm.

[edit] Do

Besides visiting the ruins, there is a nice museum in town. You might take some Spanish classes, there are 2 schools that are good.

[edit] Buy

there is a local market in the city center

[edit] Eat

Most places offer a Plato Tipico de Honduras. This includes beef strips (or sometimes chicken), beans, fried plantains, tortillas, cabbage and sour cream. Be advised that this is what you will get if you ask for a "menu," which has a different meaning in spanish.

• Cafe Via Via - The restaurant/bar in the ViaVia hostel offers great food and drinks
• Picame - This restaurant is small but excellent, offering a great value for your lempira. The proprietor is Jessica who speaks excellent English. Try the double cheeseburger.
• Comedor Mary - The best restaurant in town for delicious, cheap, clean Honduran food. Great tipicos and pupusas.
• Carnitas Nia Lola - A restaurant a little ways off the parque central that offers a wide variety of delicious food and has a good happy hour. Service can be either excellent or quite slow.

[edit] Drink

• Espresso Americano - The Honduran chain. Best coffee shop in town, nice strong espresso drinks.

[edit] Sleep

The town of Copan Ruinas has all types of accommodations for all prices ranges. Most places are located within a block of Parque Central.

[edit] Complete Tourist Information

• Copan Ruinas Information - [1]. Learn about the Mayan World. Contact hotels, restaurants and tour operators.

[edit] Budget

• ViaVia Hostel - run by Belgians that offers great sleeping accommodations for backpackers at a very reasonable price. They have very good food.
• En la manzana verde - Funky hostel run by the same Belgians as the ViaVia cafe. Dormbeds, television, kitchen, only for 4 dollars. You'll need to wear insect repellent to sleep in the front dorm, as it is full of mosquitos.
• Las Gemelas - A beautiful, clean hotel run by the charming Dona Mafalda. Simple, tidy rooms with shared bath start at L100.
• Hotel San Jose - A clean hotel. Simple, private, tidy rooms with shared bathrooms, L100 if you haggle.

[edit] Mid-range

• Hotel Graditas Mayas - [2]. Located two blocks west from the central park. It offers 15 comfortable rooms.

• Hotel Marina Copan - [3]. Located in the center, this hotel is known for its history, nice architecture and good services. It has over 60 rooms, and the ambiance of the town where it is located makes a perfect and relaxing vacation.

• Hotel Plaza Copan - (504)651-4070 or -4071 or -4072. Located on the square next to the church, this hotel surrounds a pool/ bar/ atrium area. 20 rooms with private bath, TV and A/C. Single/ Double $50US/ $60US

[edit] Splurge

• La Casa Rosada -Bed & Breakfast - (504)651-4324 [4]. Conveniently located two blocks from central park and one kilometer (0.6 miles) from the Mayan archeological site. The hotel has 5 rooms. All rooms have private baths with steam showers, dual head showers, bidets, and a selection of natural hand-made soaps and shampoos. Each room has a DVD/CD player, flat screen LCD TVs with cable, a small refrigerator, A/C and ceiling fan, and 100% cotton linens. The place is beautifully decorated and creates a very relaxing atmosphere. Guests are offered a selection of cigars and fine wine. The staff provides a level of attention and service that make La Casa Rosada your home away from home.

[edit] Get out

• Antigua Guatemala - Many shops in town sell tickets for the Antigua shuttle, which departs at 5:30am and at midday, pickup from your hostel is all part of the service ($12US - May 2008).
• El Florido (Guatemala Border) - A minibus leaves regularly from the bridge near the central square beginning at 6am (L30). From El Florido you can catch a minibus to Chiquimula (Q20), a transport hub. Of particular interest in Chiqui is the direct bus to Flores via Rio Hondo, Rio Dulce and Poptun. Leaves from the main bus station in the market at 9:30 am daily (Q85, 8 hours). Leave Copan bright and early and you will have plenty of time to get the bus to Flores.