Copan Ruinas is a small city in western Honduras close to the Guatemala border. Finest recognized for the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Maya metropolis of Copan, this charming city is the undisputed cultural hub of Honduras.
The ruins are spectacular, however they’re not the one factor to do and see right here! A quaint, rural space, there may be a lot on supply in Copan Ruinas and it’s worthy of a go to in your journey to Honduras.
See scarlet macaws, the nationwide chook of Honduras, take pleasure in some tasty native chocolate and low, hike within the hills, soak in scorching springs and even fly over the cover on a zipline in case you’re courageous!
This Copan Ruinas itinerary will inform you precisely easy methods to spend 3 days (4 nights) right here, to hit all of the highlights.
Day 1: Mayan Ruins and Chocolate
Morning
Kick off your first day in Copan Ruinas with the principle occasion – the Maya metropolis of Copan.
A UNESCO World Heritage website, this well-preserved historical metropolis was as soon as a thriving metropolis within the Maya kingdom, housing as much as 20,000 individuals at its peak between AD 300 to AD 900.
Copan differs from neighboring cities like Tikal and Palenque with its intricate carvings. The rock used to construct town was softer, and its residents had been grasp artisans. They carved elaborate stelae and sculptures with pure, cultural and non secular symbols.
The ruins are lower than a mile from the centre of city. If you happen to’re up for a straightforward stroll, there’s a well-made sidewalk. In any other case, any tuk-tuk on the town can drop you on the ruins for just a few {dollars}.
The ruins open every day from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm and tickets for overseas guests are $20 USD.
Whereas it’s attainable to stroll across the website your self, we extremely suggest organizing a neighborhood information on the website. Their data and tales will convey town to life, and provides higher context to the constructions you’re and what life was like in Copan at its peak.
You should definitely hold your eye out for scarlet macaws! They had been an essential image in Mayan tradition, and also you’ll see macaw carvings. Wild macaws have been launched into the traditional metropolis as a part of a breeding program to extend the inhabitants. There are synthetic nests in timber everywhere in the website, and also you’re certain to listen to their loud squawks! 
You’ll wish to spend at the least 3 hours to see one of the best of the location.
If you happen to’re an enormous historical past buff, you possibly can add on a go to to the Museo de Esculturas (Sculpture Museum) which can be on-site. For a further $7 USD, you possibly can see extra examples of Copan’s most spectacular sculptures and carvings which are protected inside. In addition to an elaborate reconstruction of the Rosalila Temple, created based mostly off archaeolgists findings.
Afternoon
If you’re completed on the historical metropolis, wander again into city for lunch. If you happen to’re in search of an affordable native choice, Buena Baleadas is scrumptious! For lunch with a view, head to La Casa de Cafe, which has a beautiful patio overlooking the mountains.
The remainder of the afternoon is slow-paced and stress-free. Make your option to El Lugar de Te y Chocolate (The Tea and Chocolate Place), a stunning cafe on the outskirts of city. 
It’s attainable to stroll there in round quarter-hour from city, however you’ll must face a steep hill to get there! Pre-working off the chocolate maybe? In any other case, leap in a tuk-tuk.
With a stunning wraparound balcony with forest views, hammocks, and cozy couches, convey a e-book and spend just a few hours taking it simple and having fun with some candy treats.
You’ll be able to attempt their natural chocolate in lots of varieties – scorching or chilly chocolate drinks, completely different flavored chocolate bars, and freshly baked brownies! In addition they have a pleasant vary of teas to select from.
Night
Evenings are fairly quiet in Copan Ruinas, but it surely’s value sitting down for some people-watching at Parque Central. You’ll be able to watch the sky mild up at sundown and see the lights come on on the cathedral.
Take pleasure in a pleasant meal for dinner and switch in early. Mary Restaurant is a good native choice. If you need one thing extra worldwide, attempt Cafe ViaVia which has just a few completely different Asian curries and noodles.
Day 2: Macaws, Ziplining and Scorching Springs
Morning
If you happen to don’t have breakfast included at your lodging, take pleasure in a pleasant meal this morning at Cafe San Rafael. A very surprising institution on this rural Honduran city, the cafe serves scrumptious breakfast choices and wonderful barista-made espresso. 
Then it’s time for the second factor Copan is known for – macaws!
Hopefully, you noticed some on the historical metropolis yesterday, however in case you didn’t, immediately you’re assured! 
Macaw Mountain is a chook sanctuary that rescues, rehabilitates and releases a wide range of birds, mostly the scarlet macaws that Copan Ruinas is known for.
It’s a good, uphill stroll from city (1.5 mi) so that you would possibly prefer to take a tuk-tuk. The park is open every day from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. Entry is 240 Lempira or $10 USD.
The expertise on the park is a self-guided stroll passing their completely different aviaries. There’s nice details about the birds and breeding applications in Spanish and English.
There’s additionally an open-air interplay space, the place you possibly can see birds hanging outdoors their cage. You’ll be able to’t contact or maintain them, but it surely’s attention-grabbing to see them up shut.
If you happen to’re up for a thrill, proper subsequent door to Macaw Mountain is the Copan Cover Tour, a set of 14 ziplines flying above the cover. Get some epic aerial views of the forest and surrounding mountains, and look out for wild macaws that usually grasp across the sanctuary.
Though you possibly can e-book the ziplining immediately, the easiest way to arrange immediately is to e-book a mixed tour with Cafe ViaVia. For $45 USD, you’ll get transport to and from city, your cover tour and entry to Macaw Mountain.
Afternoon
Seize a fast lunch on the town, earlier than heading off on your subsequent exercise – scorching springs!
The Luna Jaguar Spa is a set of pure mineral swimming pools tucked away within the hills 1 hour from Copan Ruinas. The thermal waters are created by close by volcanic exercise, and there are greater than 15 swimming pools with completely different temperatures.
There’s additionally a spa on-site the place you possibly can pre-book further providers like massages and dirt baths.
Cafe ViaVia provides a package deal together with your entry to the spa and return transport for $22 USD. They depart Copan at 1:00 pm and return at 6:00 pm.
Night
Right this moment has been an enormous day, and people thermal waters can have you feeling relaxed and possibly prepared for mattress! Take pleasure in a pleasant dinner, and in case you’re a candy tooth like me, pop into Don Churro for some tasty churros for dessert!
Day 3: Mountaineering, Horseriding and Espresso
Morning
You could have two choices to select from this morning: climbing or horseback using.
Cafe ViaVia provides a collection of guided hikes into the mountains across the valley. They’ve a very attention-grabbing choice, the Copan Cultural Hike, which takes you to an indigenous Maya village on the outskirts of city. You’ll be taught in regards to the historical past and tradition of the world and neighborhood.
If you happen to’d want to offer your legs a break, in addition they supply horseriding excursions. Saddle up on a peaceful horse and discover the mountains round city with a neighborhood information. You’ll cease for a relaxation in a neighboring Maya village, getting a glimpse into conventional life.
Cafe By way of By way of
Afternoon
This afternoon, be a part of a espresso tour!
Honduras is Central America’s largest exporter of espresso, they usually produce some scrumptious beans. The Copan Valley is a very fertile space and there are many plantations round right here.
Cafe Welchez, a restaurant on the town, provides excursions of their farm, Finca San Isabel. You’ll get a hands-on perception into the whole coffee-making course of. 
Tour the farm and see how espresso begins as a plant. Progress by the selecting, processing and roasting phases, with loads of samples alongside the way in which, earlier than having fun with lunch of their cafe.
You’ll be able to e-book excursions on Cafe Welchez’s web site, and it consists of transport from city.
Night
Have fun your ultimate night time in Copan Ruinas with a drink. If you happen to’re a beer lover, head to Sol de Copan, a German microbrewery that feels pleasantly misplaced on this small city! If you happen to’re a wine lover, return to Cafe San Rafael. They’ve the most important collection of wine on the town, they usually additionally supply a scrumptious cheese and charcuterie board so keep for dinner.
Learn how to get to Copan Ruinas
Copan Ruinas is definitely accessible from town of San Pedro Sula. This hosts the most important worldwide airport within the nation, in addition to the most important bus terminal.
Whether or not you’re simply touchdown on a flight from outdoors Honduras, or coming from Lago de Yojoa or the Bay Islands, you’ll transit by way of San Pedro Sula.
If you happen to don’t plan to lease a automotive, which is useful however not likely mandatory in Copan Ruinas, you’ve obtained two choices to succeed in city.
The best choice is to take the Hedman Alas coach bus, which runs a direct service from San Pedro Sula to Copan Ruinas, nevertheless their operations are inconsistent.
The cheaper, slower, and extra native choice is to take the Casasola Specific colectivo van. Count on a cramped journey with frequent stops to squeeze in additional passengers!
Copan Ruinas can be accessible from Guatemala in case you’re already touring across the area. There are vacationer shuttles from Antigua, that typically take 5 – 7 hours, and embrace help with the border crossing.
The place to remain in Copan Ruinas
There are some beautiful lodging choices in Copan, that draw in town’s colonial and rural allure. Suppose leafy backyard areas, flower packing containers on home windows, and hammocks strung up on balconies to soak up the views.
Lodging in Copan Ruinas, and the mainland of Honduras extra broadly, is less expensive than on the touristy islands like Roatan.
Listed here are some high picks on your 4-night keep:
Copan Ruinas itinerary: A wrap
Copan Ruinas is a beautiful city in Honduras, stuffed with historical past, tradition, wildlife and nature.
It’s a beautiful change of tempo from the busier and extra touristy Bay Islands, and is a improbable addition to any Honduras journey.
The city is laidback and sluggish paced, and you possibly can simply add just a few extra days right here to loosen up and unwind in case you’ve obtained the time.
Visitor Creator: Sally from Sally Sees is keen about all issues Latin America. She has traveled extensively by Mexico and Central America, and her weblog helps readers uncover the magic of the area, inspiring and equipping them with the data they should plan their very own epic Latin American journey.
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