Category:UNESCO World Heritage SitesCategory:Has custom banner 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 village of nearly the same name - Copán Ruinas, with hotels and other facilities for visitors. Due to their proximity, both locations are covered by this article.

Understand

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

When referring to Copan Ruinas many call it just "Copan," but that can be misunderstood. "Copan" is the name of the departamento (like a state). If you want to refer to the area of the old Mayan city, then you should use the full name. Both the archaeological zone and the nearby town use the name.

Copán is in a fertile river valley and nestled among rolling hills, at an elevation 700 m so it is a bit cooler. Although many just stop by the ruins on a day trip, the town is pleasant and safe and can be worth spending a day or two.

Get in

The modern village of Copán remains relatively remote today, as such the Honduran government hasn't prioritized high quality road construction in this area yet. There is an airport a few miles from here, but no commercial flights serve it. So however you get here, expect a bit of a bumpy ride.

Get around

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Map of Copán Ruinas

Copán is a small community, so don't worry about mapping sights before you get there. 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. Streets are reportedly safe after dark, but standard precautions apply.

Mototaxis (Honduran rickshaws) will take you anywhere in town for a small fee (L10 around town, L20 to the Ruins/Macaw Mountain).

The Mayan Ruins are a short walk out of town and a further 20 minutes walk will take you to Las Sepulturas, a wonderfully open section of the ruins that many people fail to visit - don't! There is also a short nature walk at the main ruins that meanders around other smaller ruins.

See

Las Copán Ruinas (entry US$ 45/person, as of Dec 2024) are the highlight of Copán. 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 hieroglyphics including the hieroglyphic stairway. Also in the archaeological park is a marvellous Mayan museum (entry US$7/person) with a reconstructed temple and fabulous artefacts. Fans of Maya art or ancient ruins can easily spend two full days between the two main ruins sites and museum. The tunnels are reportedly not worth the extra fee, and are not authentic, having been dug by archaeologists in the 1980s (these tunnels were originally dug for investigation and they show to the visitors the buried parts of older temples since the Mayans built on top of the older structures to make the new ones taller ). In July 2011 it was possible to visit the Sepulturas on the next day without purchasing a second ticket although the main ticket office may not tell you this.

It's recommended to be there when it opens at 08:00, as the site gets very hot by mid-day. Hire a guide at the entrance to the ruins for US$50 divided between however many people you can collect. Cesar (good accented English) and Antonio (few teeth, excellent English) are recommended if they're around. The price of $50 is extremely high, so try to talk to other people around to see if you on your own can cobble a group together. It is not in the interest of guides to allow you to assemble the group, so do not expect any help from the guides, unless you specifically tell them that you will hire them only if you get a small group.

Besides the ruins, the countryside is attractive. Slow paced local life is quite calm, and farming of corn, beans, coffee, and tobacco is the main vocation.

A LOT of wildlife can be seen at Copan Ruinas, especially at the ruins themselves. Many birds species are very commonly found there, including turquoise browed motmots (the national bird of El Salvador), collared aracaris (a type of toucan), and other birds such as woodpeckers and . The most famous bird here, however, is the scarlet macaw, which can be seen all over the ruins and even in the middle of town. Just listen out for their loud squawking.

• 14.84-89.141 CopanCategory:Has map markers (Ruinas de Copán), ihah2006@yahoo.com. Daily 08:00-18:00. US$20/person; Central Americans US$10; Hondurans L100; students L40; children under six free.  (updated Mar 2018)
• 14.838-89.1472 Sculpture MuseumCategory:Has map markers (Museo de Esculturas). F-Su 09:00-17:00. US$10/person; Central Americans US$5; Hondurans & students free.  (updated Apr 2021)
• 14.8374-89.14123 TunnelsCategory:Has map markers (Tuneles). Daily 08:00-18:00. US$20/person, Central Americans US$15, Hondurans & students L50.  (updated Mar 2018)
• 14.843-89.1354 SepulturasCategory:Has map markers. Archeological site adjacent to the Ruinas de Copán. Free with your Ruinas de Copán ticket.  (updated Feb 2023)

Do

• Category:Do listing with no coordinatesLuna Jaguar Aguas TermalesCategory:Has map markers. A natural hot springs spa under an hour's drive (25 km) from Copán Ruinas. Several man-made pools of differing temperatures mimic Mayan structures and are fed by the hot springs. A variety of adventure tour companies will take you there for US$10/person plus $60/group, which is outrageous considering the alternatives. For cheaper transportation, pickups and minibuses congregate at the soccer field (right before the bridge on the way to the ruins). Gather a group together, and you might negotiate a pickup for US$50. They may be willing to wait up to 3 hours for you. Even better, be patient, and a (tiny) seat in a minibus is only L35 each way. To get back to town, start walking, and a minibus will pass before long. The drive is very scenic, so enjoy it! One can easily spend the whole day at Luna Jaguar, but bring your own food. Massages available. entry US$12/person. 
• 14.8535-89.15491 Macaw MountainCategory:Has map markers. An excellent bird sanctuary a short (L20/person) mototaxi ride from el Centro. The price may seem steep, but the sanctuary is commendable for its beautiful location, free tours in English, swimming hole, and obviously healthy, well cared-for birds. As of November 2023, the birds that are being rehabilitated are brought out for holding at 15:00. The ticket is valid for 3 days, so come back and swim for free. entry US$10/person.  (updated Nov 2023)
• 14.8389-89.16242 Mariposario Mayan HillsCategory:Has map markers. A butterfly sanctuary just outside town. entry L100/person.  
• Category:Do listing with no coordinatesCanopy/zip lineCategory:Has map markers. Copán has one of the world's longest zip lines, including one about 1,000 meters (3,200 feet) long. ~US$35/person. 
• Category:Do listing with no coordinatesHorseback ridesCategory:Has map markers. Horses 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. La Pintada is interesting but overrated, while Los Sapos, though very small, is fascinating with a good guide. It's a 10-minute walk down to the river where you can swim for free. US$12-15/person for 3 hr. 
• Category:Do listing with no coordinatesCasa K'inich Children's MuseumCategory:Has map markers, Fuerte Cabañas (straight up the hill past the Marina Hotel turn right into Fuerte Cabañas.), ☏ +504 2651 4105. Tu-Su 08:00-12:00. The Casa K'inich Children's Museum (Museo Escolar) is a unique museum that was opened in 2002. It has exhibits and interactive displays in three languages (English, Spanish, and Maya Chorti). It is the only children's museum of its kind near a Maya Ruin. The museum's totally interactive exhibits will help the visitor (adults and children alike) understand the glyphs at the ruins, what happened to the Maya, and shows how the Maya built their buildings along with a description of the famous Maya ballgame among many other subjects. Not to be missed, the museum only takes an hour or two to visit and the location has a beautiful view of the Copan Valley. Groups are welcome and student groups can call for and appointment or even have food set up during their visit. US$1 for adults children always free. 

Buy

There is an unimpressive market near el Centro. On Sundays, fruit vendors line el Centro with their pickup trucks.

• Category:Buy listing with no coordinatesCopan Association Gift ShopCategory:Has map markers, Ruinas de Copan (on the left inside the Visitors Center at the Archaeological Park), ☏ +504 2651 4628. Daily 08:00-16:00. This shop has a really good variety of gifts, t-shirts and souvenirs from the Copan area. Located inside the Visitors' Center of the Ruins of Copan they also sell water and soft drinks. 

Eat

Most places offer a plato tipico de Honduras. This includes beef strips (or sometimes chicken or eggs), beans, fried plantains, tortillas, cabbage and sour cream. Licuados are either water- or milk-based fruit smoothies that for L30 should be enjoyed every day. Local meals run L80-120.

Drink

• Category:Drink listing with no coordinatesCafe WelchezCategory:Has map markers. Among the best coffee to be had in Copan Ruinas, possibly in all of Honduras. On the corner of the town square, downhill from the Marina Copan. You can go on a coffee tour, just outside of town, to see where and how their coffee is grown and processed. 
• Category:Drink listing with no coordinatesEspresso AmericanoCategory:Has map markers. The Honduran chain, serving coffee roasted with brown sugar. 
• Category:Drink listing with no coordinatesCafe San RafaelCategory:Has map markers. It serves excellent gourmet coffee, grown from their own farms. 
• Category:Drink listing with no coordinatesLa Casa de todo CafeCategory:Has map markers. In a beautiful tropical garden, it serves fresh roasted organic coffee. 
• Category:Drink listing with no coordinatesSol de CopanCategory:Has map markers (German brewery & restaurant), Barrio Buena Vista (Copan Ruinas), ☏ +504 26514758. 14:00-22:00. Very good German food, but the real attraction is the beer - excellently crafted, filtered, and some of the best you'll have, anywhere. 
• 14.842306-89.1604161 The Tea & Chocolate PlaceCategory:Has map markers (El Lugar del Té & Chocolate). 14:00-18:00. Amazing selection of teas and artisan chocolates. Relaxing environment with a nice view.  (updated Feb 2023)

Sleep

The town of Copán Ruinas has all types of accommodations for all prices ranges. Most places are located within two blocks of Parque Central.

Mid-range

• Category:Sleep listing with no coordinatesHotel Plaza CopánCategory:Has map markers (on the square next to the church). This hotel surrounds a pool, bar and atrium area. 20 rooms with private bath, TV and A/C. Single/double US$50/$60. 
• 14.836351-89.1590693 La Casa de CaféCategory:Has map markers, Calle Rosalila, ☏ +504 2651-4620, info@casadecafecopan.com. 10-room B&B in two wings each with private hot water bath, wood-panelled ceiling, ceiling fan, writing desk, night table w/ reading lamp and an oversized picture window which looks out onto a great view of the Copán River Valley, the distant mountains and La Casa de Café's own lovely tropical garden. US$45/$55 single/double per night (plus tax).  

Connect

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