Copán Ruinas is the gateway to the famous UNESCO World Heritage Archeological Site of Copán. Located in northwest Honduras, it is only 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) from the Guatemalan border. This small municipality is in the department of Copán.
Established January 1st, 1893, Copán Ruinas is near the original Mayan settlement. The Mayans lived in the valley for around 4,000 years before the arrival of the Spanish. Named on February 21st, 1942 and given the same name that the Spanish gave the ruins upon discovery in 1570.
As of 2020, the entire municipality is home to 43, 131 inhabitants who live a traditional Honduran lifestyle. Nestled in the rolling hills and in a fertile valley, Copán Ruinas sits at an elevation of 667 meters (2,188 feet). In a geographically mountainous region, the city thrives from both tourism and agriculture. The main items produced range between basic grains, coffee, tobacco, vegetables, livestock, along with leather and industrial products.
The town is small, quiet, relaxing, and clean to boot. It has a colonial vibe but is still authentic. The colorful facades line the cobblestone streets with iron wrought balconies filled with radiant flowers. A place where a walk down the well-preserved roads is a must. A walk around the village can take a couple of hours. Most places of interest are around Parque Central (or Central Park). Within a two-block radius are all the hotels, hostels, restaurants, bars, and shops.
National Food of Honduras
While visiting Honduras, do not miss out on the opportunity to try the national food, baleadas. A baleada, pronounced bah-leh-ahda, is a thick wheat or flour tortilla filled with various ingredients. They’re almost always packed with refried beans and cheese, and the option to pile on from there. My favorite was chicken with avocado (or pollo con aguacate), but I never tried one that I did not like.
Where to Stay
There are plenty of accommodations to help fit any type of a traveler’s budget. These include backpack centric dormitories, to cost effective hospedajes, and even high-end hotels. I went with the dormitory, as it was the most budget friendly choice. It also put me around like-minded travelers. I recommend staying at the Iguana Azul Hostel. Make a booking today with Hostel World or Booking for your desired dates.
It is on the pricier end of budget hostels, but still good for one or two nights. It has a great social scene, but I would not recommend a longer stay due to its lack of a kitchen or fridge. There is a restaurant next door that’s geared toward high end clientele. It’s connected to a high-end hotel, so the clientele fits the bill.
The view at the restaurant is fantastic and there’s access to decent Wi-Fi. Iguana Azul encourages hostel guests to use the tables and sitting area. The view overlooks the Honduran mountains as they stretch into Guatemala. The orientation is perfect so be sure to catch a sunset here. The sun highlights the mountains as it approaches the horizon. Colorful shades of orange, red, pink, and purple fill the gaps of the fading sky.
Things to Do
The tourism industry is the backbone of the municipality. It fuels the economy and keeps the residents in motion. The obvious thing to do is visit the world-renowned archeological site of Copán Ruinas. Yet, there are other things to do as well. Take a stroll around town. Enjoy nightly activities and local dishes served in Central Park. Go for a hike, go horseback riding, or stop in at the developed Luna Jaguar Hot Spring for an afternoon of relaxation.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
In 1980, UNESCO designated Copán as a cultural heritage site. The site features a museum, detailed stelae, and a hieroglyphic staircase. The hieroglyphic staircase is the sites crown jewel. It outlines the dynastic lineage from as early as 426 BCE through the final listing in 822 BCE.
There is evidence that the fall of Copán aligns with the Classic Mayan Collapse. Which happened between the 7th and 9th centuries due to deforestation, overpopulation, extreme drought, the depletion of soil rich nutrients, and military conflicts. Before the collapse, it was one of the most prominent civilizations from the Mayan world. They boasted some of the finest examples of artwork and stonework. All demonstrated through countless stelae scattered throughout the site.
The population experienced heavy decline between the 8th and 9th centuries. This led to the official abandonment of Copán in the 9th century. The large structures became overgrown and rejoined the natural landscape. The population of the city redistributed itself to various settlements throughout the region.
The pre-Colombian city of Copán is open daily between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm. I recommend visiting during the morning hours. Before the temperatures soar with the midday sun. Expect to pay a 370 Lempira ($15) entrance fee that includes both the main site and Las Sepulturas, when open.
Copán has its own museum with an extra fee of 175L ($7). I’m told it is worth it. The entrance is a wide-open snake’s mouth. It demonstrates the Mayan belief that snakes represent the journey into the underworld. They house many sculptures and replicas from the site. Yet, the most notable attraction is the full-scale replica of the Rosalila Temple. It is complete with bright red color and ornate designs that make up the temple.
Unfortunately, I visited the site during the afternoon and did not expect to need as much time as I did to explore. This ancient city is expansive! There are plenty of sections to see, with several pyramids that leave visitors in a state of awe. It’s fun to imagine what life was like in ancient times. Picture the hustle and bustle of government workers, while athletes practice in the ball court, and artists carve out the intricate details seen today. My next article will go in depth into this UNESCO Site and its fascinating history.
Getting There
Getting to the city of Copán Ruinas is not straightforward, but still easy. If you’re coming from out of country, such as Guatemala or El Salvador, then the easiest option is a shuttle to Copán. If you’re like me and prefer the budget option, then know it’s time consuming but still achievable.
There are daily shuttles that bounce between Copán Ruinas and San Pedro Sula for 160 Lempira ($6.50 USD). There is a shorter route via microbus that bounces between La Entrada for 80 Lempira ($3.25 USD). In La Entrada, catch a connection to most other nearby municipalities upon arrival. If you’re not from Honduras or a native Spanish speaker, then expect to pay a small “gringo tax” on public transportation routes. There are no signs that post the price of the busses and I consistently noticed that locals would pay a smaller fee.
Final Thoughts
I only spent one day in this beautiful Mayan village but could have stayed for several more. I love this laid-back quiet colonial town. The colorful facades help set the energetic evening vibes when the town comes alive. I would love to revisit and delve deep into the unique Honduran Mayan culture. It was a place that I was pleasantly surprised by.
I expected a heavy tourism scene, but due to its secluded nature that was not the case. The ruins themselves are as extensive as any other major archeological site. They offer the opportunity to see the in-depth detail of Mayan art. Do yourself a favor and disregard the stigma surrounding Honduras and plan a visit today!
Quick Notes:
- Cheap local food: Baleadas
- Clean budget hostel: Iguana Azul
- Copán Archeological Site Hours of Operation: Daily 8 am to 4 pm
- Copán Archeological Site Entrance Fees: 370L ($15)
- Explore Copán Archeological Tunnels for an extra 370L ($15)
- Copán Museum featuring Rosalila Temple Entrance Fee: 175L ($7)
- Shuttle between San Pedro Sula to Copán Ruinas for 160L ($6.50)
- Microbus between La Entrada and Copán Ruinas for 80L ($3.25)
