This small colonial town centers around ancient Mayan ruins dating to 426 AD. Local artisans sell jade jewelry and stone carvings along cobblestone streets lined with 16th-century buildings.
Copán Ruinas, a small town in western Honduras, sits next to ancient Mayan pyramids and plazas. At the archaeological site, you can climb the Hieroglyphic Staircase with its 1,250 carved glyphs - the longest known Mayan inscription. In the morning, wild scarlet macaws fly over the town center, while at Macaw Mountain sanctuary you can see these birds up close. Local families welcome visitors to their coffee plantations, where you can learn about growing methods and taste fresh coffee. After exploring, stop at the natural hot springs of Agua Caliente or watch daily life unfold from a café in the central plaza.
Getting to Copán Ruinas
You can reach Copán Ruinas by shuttle from Antigua, Guatemala, which takes about 4 hours. Regular buses connect the town to San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa in Honduras. The closest border crossing is El Florido, just 20 minutes away by road. To move around town, flag down a tuk-tuk or motorcycle taxi - most rides within town cost about 20 lempiras.
Exploring the Mayan Ruins
Start your visit to the archaeological site early, as it opens at 8:00 AM. The main complex covers 24 square kilometers and contains more than 4,500 structures. Walk up the Hieroglyphic Staircase to read the detailed glyphs that tell stories of ancient rulers. Two tunnel sections beneath the acropolis - Rosa Lila and Los Jaguares - show earlier construction phases of the city.
Wildlife and Nature Activities
A 10-minute tuk-tuk ride takes you to Macaw Mountain Bird Park, where rescued scarlet macaws fly freely and staff explain ongoing conservation work. Coffee plantations dot the hills around town - visit farms like Finca Santa Isabel to see coffee processing and taste local varieties. Local guides can arrange horseback rides to Maya Chortí villages in the mountains. The Agua Caliente hot springs have five pools with temperatures from 35°C to 42°C (95°F to 108°F).
Weather and When to Visit
December through April has clear skies and dry weather. Temperatures stay around 25°C (78°F) year-round. May through November brings afternoon rain. The archaeological site sees fewer visitors during January and February, despite the good weather.
Walking Around Town
Parque Central serves as your main reference point, with its colonial-era church visible from most streets. Two museums near the plaza display Mayan artifacts with detailed explanations of local history. Several language schools teach Spanish, from two-hour conversation classes to week-long intensive programs. The streets around the plaza have restaurants serving baleadas (wheat tortillas filled with beans and cheese), pupusas, and other regional dishes alongside international food.
