Copán Ruinas Overview

In a picturesque valley of Honduras’s western mountains, the busy modern town is perched on a small hill 1km to the west of its more famous ruins. Around the central park, narrow streets are trafficked by locals, backpackers, archaeologists, and expats well into the night. Only a few blocks away in all directions, quiet streets attest to fact that even with modern changes, technological trappings, and mass tourism, the tranquil peace of Copán remains. The effects of recent political instability have been felt in Copán, where the community depends on the flow of tourism that has recently slowed to a trickle as foreigners decide to take their vacations elsewhere; it is possible that many businesses in town will shut down in the near future.

Buses: Hedman Alas provides luxury bus service (with A/C, bathroom, and videos) to San Pedro Sula (daily 5:15, 10:30am, 2:30pm; L290), with connections to Tegus or La Ceiba (each L480), departing from their terminal 4 blocks south of the southeast corner of the parque, across from Casa Marias on the highway to La Entrada. All other long-distance buses depart from the lot 2 blocks east and 1 block north of the parque ’s northeast corner. Casasola (☎651 4078; office open daily 7am-8pm), across from Casa de Todo 2 blocks east of the parque, provides direct shuttle service to San Pedro Sula (daily 5, 6, 7am, 2pm; L110) which stops at La Entrada (L45). Etumi also runs direct buses to San Pedro Sula (3hr.; 8am, 1pm; L110) as well as to La Entrada (1hr., every 40min. 6:30am-5pm, L45).
Shuttles: Plus Travel (☎651 4088, 24hr. cell ☎9589 6414; open daily 8am-11:45am and 2-7pm), 1½ blocks north of the parque ’s northeast corner. Shuttles into Guatemala leave at 6am and 2pm to Puerto Barrios (L385), Rio Dulce (L385), Coban (L385), and Tikal (6am only; L580); all buses make a change at Rio Hondo. Copán Tours leaves daily at noon to Antigua (L230), Guatemala City (L230), Río Dulce (L230), and Panajachel (L480). Basecamp Tours also runs shuttles to Guatemala leaving at 5:30am and noon: Antigua/Guatemala City/Rio Hondo (L230), Rio Dulce/Puerto Barrios/Coban (L425), and Tikal (L620).
Minivans: Run regularly by Etumi bus service. Leave from the bridge 1 block west of the parque ’s northwest corner to the Guatemalan Border at El Florido, 10km away (30min.; leave when full 6am-5:30pm; L20).
Taxis: A few small, red, 3-wheeled vehicles transport passengers around town as well as to Macaw Mountain, Enchanted Wings, and the ruins, congregating along the north of the parque (L20-L80 per person).

rientation And Practical Information

Most buses stop at the bottom of the short, steep hill on the eastern edge of Copán Ruinas two blocks east and one block north of the parque ’s northeast corner, along the path leading from town to the ruins. To get to the parque central, head straight uphill and take your second left; you’ll be at the parque ’s northeast corner, marked by Banco de Occidente. The church sits on the east side of the parque, and the town hall and museum of archaeology along the west side. The entrance to the ruins is 1km from Copán Ruinas on the road east of the northeast corner of the parque; the road north from the northeast corner of the parque heads to the hot springs (23km); to the west of town the main highway continues to the El Florido border with Guatemala (10km).

Tourist Information: Tourism Office (☎651 3829; www.copanhonduras.org), 1 block south of the parque under the “free tourist info” sign. Has city maps (L20) and can help with hotel and restaurant reservations. Open M-F 8am-5pm, Sa 8am-noon.
Tour Agencies:
- Yaragua Tours (☎651 4147; www.yaragua.com), next to the Yaragua Hotel. Office across from the southeast corner of the parque, next to the restaurant. Internet (L20 per hr.), tour packages to a number of local attractions, and free maps. Hot Springs tour L580. Horse tour (3hr.) L385. Open daily 8am-7pm. Call beforehand to arrange tours. Traveler’s checks accepted. AmEx/MC/V.
- Basecamp Tours (☎651 4695; www.basecamphonduras.com) at the Via Via Cafe. Run by former world-traveling backpackers who share their wealth of travel info. Tours include horseback riding (3hr., L290, “no experience necessary”), Finca El Cisne coffee farm (daytrip, L1140, overnight L1490), bushwhacking (2-8hr., leave at 7:30am daily, L155-675), and the Aguas Termales (3-4hr., shuttles at 8am and 2pm, L195-290 per person plus entrance fee). Also rents motorcycle tours with hot springs admission included but not gas costs (3hr. L775, 5hr. L970) and plans Moskitia rainforest trips (all inclusive starting from L8220 per person).
- Copán Tours (☎9999 6127; 24hr. cell ☎9960 7174), half a block east of the northeast corner of the parque. Offers similar tour deals to Yaragua and shuttles into Guatemala. Open daily 9am-7pm.
Banks: Banco Atlántida (☎651 4505), on the parque ’s south side. Gives Visa advances. 24hr. ATM. Open M-F 8:30am-4pm, Sa 8:30-11:30am. Banco Credomatic (☎651 4686), next door to Atlántida, has a 24hr. ATM that accepts AmEx/Cirrus/MC/Plus/V. Open daily 9am-5pm. Banco de Occidente (☎651 4085), on the parque ’s northeast corner, has a Western Union. Open M-F 8:30am-4:30pm, Sa 8:30am-noon. All banks cash traveler’s checks.
Police: FUSEP (☎651 4060), 4½ blocks west of the southwest corner of the parque. A 2nd outpost is on the road to the ruins. Both open 24hr.
Pharmacy: Farmacia Ángel (☎651 3676), ½ block south of the parque ’s southeast corner. Open M-Sa 8:30am-8pm, Su 1pm-7pm. AmEx/MC/V.
Medical Services: Dr. Luis Castro (☎651 4504), west from the northwest corner of the parque, across the street from the cemetery toward the Guatemalan border. English-spoken. Open M-Sa 8am-5pm. Medical Clinic, 1 block south and ½ block to the west of the parque ’s southwest corner. Open M-F 8am-3pm.
Telephones: Hondutel (☎651 4687), ½ block west of the parque ’s southwest corner on the right. Calls to US L2 per min. Open daily 7am-9pm.
Internet Access: Maya Connections (☎651 4669), 1 block south of the parque ’s southwest corner. Souvenir shop with internet. L20 per hr. charged in 15min. blocks. Open daily 7am-9pm. Also offers laundry service . L20 per lb. for a same day wash, dry, and fold, min. L100. Open daily 7am-9pm. Internet Angel (☎651 3533), 1 block north uphill from the parque ’s corner. Internet L20 per hr. Open daily 8am-10pm.
Post Office: (☎651 4447), ½ block west of the southwest corner of the parque. Open M-F 8am-noon and 2-5pm, Sa 8am-noon. Postal Code: 41209.

ccommodations

The priciest accommodations cluster immediately around the parque central, or sit one kilometer or more out of town, while budget accommodations occupy the middle range edges of town.

En la Manzana Verde (☎9791 0896), 1½ blocks north of the parque ’s northeast corner on the left. May be one of Central America’s best hostels. Dorm-style rooms with a sense of humor have individually named beds, fans, and hot water showers. Full kitchen, TV lounge, sink for washing clothes, and luggage storage. Run by the owners of Via Via. Dorms L95. Cash only.
Via Via Copán (☎651 4652; www.viaviacafe.com), 1½ blocks west of the parque ’s southwest corner. An environment worth the price tag. Run by 4 world travelers, Via Via Copán has become a Mecca for all who pass though Copán. Spotless rooms all have hot baths, fans, and free iced lemonade or coffee and unlimited purified water. Eclectic cafe. Reception 24hr. Check-out 10am. Reservations recommended. Singles L230; doubles L300. Discounts for longer stays. MC/V.
Hostel Iguana Azul (☎651 4620). From the parque ’s southwest corner go 1 block south, west 5 blocks, then south again 1 block toward the blue building. Clean dorm-style hostel with friendly management, communal showers, hot water, and comfy beds. Dorms L100; singles L200; doubles L250. Cash only.

ood And Nightlife

The most upscale restaurants are grouped to the south and west area surrounding the parque central, while cheap comedors are downhill a few blocks east of the parque. For groceries, visit Mini Super Daniela, across from the southwest corner of the parque. (☎651 4738. Open daily 7am-9pm. Cash only.)

Via Via Café (☎651 4652; www.viaviacafe.com), in the hotel of the same name (see Accommodations ). A traveler’s heaven. With a delectable health food menu including 24 daily vegetarian entrees and freshly baked bread (loaves for L50), every meal will bowl you away with savory flavor. At night, candle-lit tables set the scene while international music keeps the atmosphere hopping. Granola L15. Pancakes with fruit salad L60. Via Via sandwich L65. Breakfast típico L70. Beer L30. Tequila sunrise L55. Restaurant open daily 7am-10pm. Bar open 7pm-midnight. MC/V.
Vamos a Ver (☎651 4627; www.vamosaver.com), ½ block south of the southwest corner of the parque on the right. A friendly Dutch couple serves fresh baked bread (L35) in a fun multilingual environment. Patrons entertain each other on a guitar borrowed from the owners. Vegetarian dishes available. Granola and fruit L80. Veggie or meat lasagna L120. Baleadas L30. Dutch sandwich L80. Happy hour 6-7pm: 2-for-1 mixed drinks. Open daily 7am-10pm. AmEx/MC/V.
Jim’s Pizza Copan (☎651 4381), ½ block south of the southwest corner of the parque. An American sailor cooks up 1 ft. handmade pizzas using fresh local cheese and vegetables. Pizza “con todo” L200. Veggie L150. Occasional movies at 7pm, most often on weekends. Open daily 11am-9pm. Cash only.
Carnitas Nia Lola (☎651 4196), 2 blocks south of the southwest corner of the parque, at the end of the street on the right. Fun bungalow atmosphere with a book exchange, open hearth cooking, and waitresses who bring your drinks balanced on their heads. Free nachos with meal. The house specialty is the grilled meat skewers ( pinchos, L280-315). Beer L32. 2-for-1 daiquiris 4-6pm. Happy hour 6:30-8pm: 2-for-1 mixed drinks. Open 7am-10pm. AmEx/MC/V.
Yaragua Restaurant (☎651 4147), across from the southeast corner of the parque central. Feels like a Mediterranean bodega inside. The menu is full of different meal choices. French toast L58. Philly cheese steak L120. Típico Maya L110. Moon jaguar steak L170. Fajitas mixtos L130. Beer L25. Open daily 6am-10pm. AmEx/MC/V.
Twisted Tanya (☎651 4182), 1 block south and 1 block to the west of the parque. Tanya is known among the locals for having the best drinks in town. Enjoy the fine dining on the 2nd fl. seating and 2-for-1 mixed drinks during Happy hour (4-6pm). Daily backpackers menu of soup, pasta, and carrot cake (4-6pm, L120). Tequila L65. Open M-Sa 10am-10pm. AmEx/MC/V.

ights

TCasa K’Inich Museum. The museum hosts interactive displays that teach visitors of all ages how to read the symbols in Mayan hieroglyphics, how stela are dressed, and the rules of the ancient ball games. (5 blocks to the north uphill from the northwest corner of the parque. www.casakinich.com. Open daily 8am-noon and 1-5pm. L20.)

The Copán Museum Of Archaeology. This museum contains detailed information on countless aspects of Mayan civilizations and stunning displays of well-preserved ceramics, stone carvings, and human fossils. (On the parque’s east side, across from the church. ☎651 4437. Open daily 9am-5pm. L57.)

El Pabellon Maya. This art cooperative deals in handmade crafts from all over Honduras as well as parts of Guatemala. Pieces include paintings, weavings, and woodwork. (1 block south of the parque central, across from the tourist office. ☎651 4066. Open daily 9am-7pm. AmEx/MC/V.)

Enchanted Wings Butterfly House. More than 15 butterfly species flutter around the 3200 sq. ft. terraced enclosure in this Butterfly House, above 200 species of native orchids. (From the northwest corner of the parque, located west down the road to Guatemala past the cemetery at the highway intersection. ☎651 4133; www.hondurasecotours.com. Open daily 8am-5pm. L100. Bilingual tour guides L50. Best time to see orchids is Apr.-May.)