Visiting the Ruins of Copán

Copán ruins are the main attraction of the West of Honduras and there are only 14-kilometer away from the Guatemalan border.

Copán is highly famous for its Mayan ruins, declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 1980. They are considered one of Latin America’s most important archaeological sites, along with Tikal located in Guatemala.

As a tailored-made agency, we organize every transfer and border crossing for our clients that wish to add Copán as a step of their trip to Guatemala.

Most of the time, it is offered from Guatemala City or Antigua, as a 1 or 2-day step on the itinerary, before continuing to Rio Dulce. One way or another.

Once in the city of Copán, everything is accessible at foot-distance or use the local transport, tuk-tuks, which will be an unusual experience.

Copán is one of the most important heritage sites of the Mayan civilization. The city remains and the impressive public plazas reveal long periods of its development before the city was abandoned and covered by the jungle.

The site is big and offers different options of visit. The main part can be divided into two main zones: the Great Plaza and the Acropolis. The first zone was a public area, whereas the second one was a private space, only for the leading elite.

To make the visit more interesting, it is important to know the story behind the city-state. We recommend getting a private tour with an English-speaking guide that knows every secret of Mayas.

What makes this site so unique and special are their tunnels, the Rosalila tunnel and the Jaguar tunnel. There, it is possible to observe different landforms, glyphs and Coronel Galindo tumb, considered one of the most interesting tumbs of the site, only discovered a century ago.

These tunnels are pretty impressive; it feels like entering another universe without daylight where you can admire the Mayas architecture work. In some structures, there are not less than 17 levels.

Copán ruins is the only site in Central America that has a tunnel system, which makes it even more mysterious.

You can also visit the Mayan Sculpture Museum. Its entrance is extraordinary and catches the eye of the visitors. Forming a snake with its open mouth, as if entering its throat until reaching an illuminated room. This museum exhibits sculptures from Copán ruins, whose collection includes more than 3.000 pieces. For the passionate, it is a real treasure about Mayan culture.

Macaw Mountain is a rescue center, to rehabilitate and free tropical birds, such as macaws. There, you will witness the richness and diversity of Honduras birds through a botanic garden, including endemic plants and woody trees.

A lot of birds have been saved from illicit bird trade or given by worried owner to take care of them in the long-term.

By visiting this place, not only will you witness the great diversity of birds that Honduras hosts, like the Macaw, emblematic bird of the country, but you will also contribute to their recovery.

This site is only 10-minute away from the city center by car, or 30 minutes by walk.

Copán ruins is the most important cultural destination of Honduras. It has everything to please: history, culture, natural attractions such as Macaw Mountain and thermal waters.

It will be one more stamp on your passport and some many good memories.

In short, Copán ruins have so much to offer to every traveler.