Copán Ruinas is an archeological treasure. Tucked away in the mountains of Honduras, in the department of Copán. It is in a well-watered mountain valley of western Honduras. The ruins are 1.5 kilometers (.93 miles) outside the nearby town of the same name, Copán Ruinas. Find out everything you need to know about the town with my article detailing the Copán Ruinas Municipality. Located at 600 meters (1,969 feet) above sea level, Diego García de Palacío discovered Copán in 1570.
Copán was one of the most dominant cities of the Mayan kingdom. The ancient city mirrors the beauty of the physical landscape surrounding it. It is the most studied archeological site of the Mayan kingdom. Continuous studies date back more than a century. Excavations finally began in the 1930’s. UNESCO declared the site of major cultural importance in 1980 and designated it a World Heritage Site.
Occupied for more than 2,000 years, the ancient Mayans lived in the region from the early pre-Classic period to the post Classic period. Archeologists estimate that the Maya settled as early as 1500 BCE. Copán thrived as the capital city of the Classic period kingdom between the 5th and 9th centuries. They also estimate that the peak population was around 25,000 inhabitants. This area includes 250 square kilometers (155 square miles) around the city, during the late Classic period.
Copán is the focus of a larger territory covering the southeast region of the Maya periphery. In fact, it is in the extreme southeast of the Mesoamerican cultural region. On the frontier with the Isthmo-Colombians of Costa Rica and surrounded by non-Maya peoples.
Copán had a distinctive sculpture style of the Lowland Maya to emphasize the origins of the rulers. It is home to intricate stonework and demonstrates some of the finest examples of Mayan art. Archeologists, and epigraphers, have reconstructed the historical record for a greater part of the Classic period.
The city’s history is intricately intwined with the nearby Guatemalan archeological site of Quirigua. Copán is 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the Guatemalan border. Their kingdom thrived with great prosperity until an embarrassing political disaster in 738. The king of Quirigua, the former vessel of the Copán king, captured and executed one of the greatest dynastic leaders in Copán’s history, Uaxaclajuun Ub’ahh K’awiil. This resulted in a 17-year hiatus from construction and stonework. While subjected to the rule of their former subordinate.
The region experienced severe population decline, associated with the Classic Maya Collapse. It brought the population down from 25,000 to 5,000 inhabitants by the end of the 9th century. It took over four centuries for the region to feel the full effects of the collapse. By the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, the site was nearly abandoned. There were a few farming hamlets, and the ceremonial center was still in use upon arrival.
Fee’s & Hours of Operation
Visiting costs 370 Lempira ($15 USD) per person, and kids under 12 get in free. The entrance fee includes admittance to the lesser-known site of Las Sepulturas. Pay an extra 370L ($15) to explore some of the site’s archeological tunnels with a designated tour guide. The site and its museum are open seven days a week from 8 am to 430 pm.
Getting Here
Getting to the archeological site is simple. There are two options if you don’t have your own rental car, take a taxi/tuk-tuk or walk. Considered safe, the city of Copán Ruinas is a short 1.5 kilometer (0.9 mile) walk to the site. I chose to walk since it is free, and I hadn’t met anyone that chose otherwise. But, with being so close, a tuk-tuk would be very affordable. If traveling from outside of Copán, then read my blog about the Copán Ruinas Municipality. Where I detail how to get there, where to stay, and what to eat during a visit!
Copán Ruinas Museum
The museum is a separate 185L ($7) charge but supposed to be worth it. Unfortunately, I did not explore the museum or Las Sepulturas. I can thank my lack of planning and time management. There are more than 3,000 sculptures, six restored buildings, and some of the most important stelae from the ancient site. The museum also includes a complete reconstruction of the Rosa Lila Temple. You can also view the original with the extra fee for the archeological tunnels.
Copán was the political, civil, and religious center of the Copán Valley. The ruined citadel, and imposing public square, reveal three major phases of development. All from before abandonment in the 10th century. The site includes more than 4,500 structures. The focus is on the “Principal Group,” which covers more than 24 kilometers (15 miles).
The Great Plaza
The Great Plaza has several stelae and altars, many covered in zoomorphic hieroglyphs. Several date back to the dynasties 13th ruler, 18 Rabbit who ruled from 711-736 BCE. This area includes the ballcourt, the cities social center. Considered the most artistic of Mesoamerica, the ballcourt has unique sidewall markers that resemble the head of a Macaw bird. The massive ball court was also completed by 18 Rabbit.
The Iconic Hieroglyphic Staircase
The hieroglyphic staircase is the crown jewel of the archeological site. Located on the west side of the temple-pyramid, it is a part of structure 26. The unique temple is the longest known Maya text inscription from ancient Mesoamerica. Built by the 15th ruler, Smoke Shell, the staircase is a family tree for political propaganda. It depicts the life and death of each ruler. Beginning with the dynasties first ruler, Yax K’uk Moh, it moves through each recorded ruler ending with Smoke Shell. The staircase is 30 meters (98 feet) high and depicts more than 2,000 glyphs. The collection of symbols offers a unique glimpse into the rich history of the Copán Valley and the culture that ruled it.
The Acropolis
The Copán River eroded away a significant part of the Acropolis. So, the Honduras government chose to divert it and protect the site. The Acropolis includes Temple 11. Built by the final ruler of Copán, it is an elaborate gateway to the underworld. The area also includes Temple 16. Built on top of the Rosa Lila Temple (or Temple of the Sun) and completed without damaging the structure.
The temple is one of the best preserved from Mesoamerica. Even the original colors of the stucco masks withstood the test of time. Visitors can see a reproduction of Altar Q below Temple 16. The altar depicts the succession of all 16 members of the Copán dynasty seated on their name’s glyph. The original altar is in the site’s museum.
Copán Tunnel System
The tunnel system offers the opportunity to explore some of the archeological tunnels. All built for the long-term archeological studies and excavations. There are more than four kilometers (2.5 miles) underneath the Acropolis. Yet only two tunnels are open to the public, Rosa Lila Tunnel and Los Jaguares Tunnel. The Rosa Lila Tunnel allows guests to see one of the best-preserved stucco masks buildings from Maya civilization.
I spent an afternoon exploring this extensive archeological site and loved it! The detail in the stonework is immaculate. I recommend showing up early, as the midday sun gets hot and intense. There is little shade, but there is some scattered around. Bring a water, the site can take a couple of hours to explore. Start early to see everything, the museum, the tunnels, and both archeological sites.
Take a day and bring the family. Meet up with people from your hotel or hostel and explore all this UNESCO Site has to offer. Get lost in the depths of history. Surround yourself with Mayan pyramids and intricate hieroglyphs. Copán Ruinas is the pride and joy of Honduras. It’s a site nobody should miss when nearby. 10/10 I definitely recommend.
Quick Notes
- Hours of Operation: 8 am to 430 pm, seven days a week
- Entrance fee: Adults: 370 Lempira ($15) Kids under 12: Free. This includes entry to the nearby site, Las Sepulturas.
- Site museum entrance fee: 185L ($7)
- Entrance fees for Tunnels: 370L ($15)
- Get there from town by walking 1.5 kilometers (.9 miles) for free or take a tuk-tuk to the entrance.
