Top Things to do in Copan Ruinas
What to do and see in Copan Ruinas, Honduras: The Best Places and Tips
Abandoned in the 10th century, the stunning Mayan ruins at Copan deserve as much time as you can spend there, a full day or more. Travelers recommend that you hire a guide; you'll learn so much more about this World Heritage site and its history and people than you ever could on your own. After your adventure, sip a cup of strong Honduras coffee and people-watch in the main square or just enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery.
Restaurants in Copan Ruinas
1. The Tea & Chocolate Place
Overall Ratings
5 based on 133 reviews
The Tea & Chocolate Place IS NOT a restaurant nor a coffee shop. WE DO NOT SELL FOOD OR COFFEE. We are a Visitors Center open to the public only from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm from Monday to Saturday. Since 2003, we have been working as a family to reforest steep and eroded areas around Copan Ruinas. Our objective is to serve as an educational space where you can learn about environmental issues affecting the area of Copan, at the same time learn about a variety of teas and other natural products that we make from native and foreign medicinal plants organically grown in our Copan 2012 Botanical Research Station. Our center is located in a peaceful, garden-like setting with amazing views of the Mountains. We only offer a Tea Menu where you can choose from 20 different medicinal teas, or enjoy our hot chocolate beverage made from ground cacao beans (along with a small traditional local snack) while watching the sun go down. If you are hungry we recommend that you eat before, or plan for dinner after you pay us a visit !. Also, our center is located 15 minute walking distance from the Central Park. It is not far, but if you are not familiar with the town, you may get lost. We highly recommend you to take a taxi (tuc-tuc). Direcciones: Del Parque Central, dirigirse 6 cuadras norte hacia El Fuerte de Cabañas (Casa K'inich Museo Escolar). Doblar a la izquierda en Calle Yaragua y caminar aproximadamente 430 metros en Calle Yaragua (Barrio La Tejera). El Lugar del Té & Chocolate se encuentra a mano derecha. La mejor opción es tomar un moto taxi (tuc-tuc). Directions: From the Central Park, walk 6 blocks north towards El Fuerte de Cabañas (Casa K'inich Museo Escolar). Turn left on Calle Yaragua. Walk about 430 meters in Calle Yaragua (Barrio La Tejera). The Tea & Chocolate Place is located on the right side of the street.
Reviewed By SharyZepeda - Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Everything in this place from the staff - to the tea and coffee is excellent! The attention is great and they have a huge variety on teas. They also sell organic products (soaps, sanitizers etc). The place has a magical view of the copan hills and the weather is exquisite
2. Copan Ruinas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Copan Ruinas valley of Kings, Sacred Valley of the Red Scarlet Macaw. Copan Ruinas is an ancient city in the mayan Empire. Located in western Honduras at just under 10 minutes from the border with Guatemala el Florido. More than 138,000 visitors came here in 2017, the lowest in years but with a slight increase in traffic in comaprison to 2015. | Many agree the bad condition of the road play an important role to this lack of traffic. Hopefully in 2018 will be better.
Reviewed By Liz R
I went for a weekend birthday getaway to Copan Ruinas with my brother, brother in law and his sister. The ruins are absolutely beautiful. Make sure to get there early so you can take your time. The cost of entry is approximately 40 US dollars per person however you get to access the ruins, the tombs, the tunnels and 2 museums. Totally worth it. Make sure to have your camera ready because the views from the top are absolutely breath taking and if you like birds, you’re in for a real treat because the Macaws are gathered in groups. Completely unreal.
3. Macaw Mountain Bird Park & Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 693 reviews
A multi - faceted eco-tourism project on ten heavily forested acres in a stream fed valley, only six minutes by vehicle from Copan Ruinas Central Park. Macaw Mountain Bird Park and Nature Reserve provides our visitors a very personal encounter with the fascinating birds of Honduras in a stunning natural setting. It is a relaxing, educational and quite memorable experience and your visit will help support our goals of aviary conservation and free macaw reproduction.
Reviewed By tianahenneuse - Paris, France
This is a beautiful project - helping wounded birds recover and setting them free after. However, don't book this visit to see birds. You can see the macaws and toucans fly freely a the Copan Ruins Park. If you decide to visit the park it is for to contribute with the project.
4. Hieroglyphic Stairway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 273 reviews
Reviewed By seafare74 - SF, California
The Hieroglyphics on this impressive stairway are the most complete account of Mayan life found to date. Visitors are not allowed to climb the stairway and it has a large tarp suspended above it to protect it from the elements. Helps to hire a guide at the [park entrance to get the most out of your visit.
5. Luna Jaguar Hot Spring
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 294 reviews
Reviewed By Jesse V - Vlissingen
The scenery is made Mayan style, with status, a tunnel with spooky atmosphere and a hanging bridge. There's several hot-spring pools with different temperatures, a steam bath, and also 2 small regular pools. There's dressing rooms, a small shop for buying snacks and drinks. I loved this place, very difficult to beat. If you have a chance to visit this, certainly do - and if possible try at sunset.
6. Sculpture Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 241 reviews
Reviewed By Museumlynn - Cambridge, United Kingdom
We enjoyed being able to spend some time examining the sculptures up close. The museum is cool and airy And so easy to navigate, with signage in English. The central mock up of the Rosalina temple reminds you that the structures you've just seen at Copan were once stuccoed and painted in vivid colours. An easy half hour walk along a nearby nature trail takes you to the river along magnificent woodland and superb examples of giant trees like the Ceiba. There is a second small ball court and animals to see, we spotted an agouti. Like the museum this is cool and shady, a relaxing hike if you have time!
7. Finca el Cisne
Overall Ratings
5 based on 101 reviews
Reviewed By Cian H - Edmonton
The tour of Carlos' Finca and this entire experience was phenomenal. He is fluent in both English and Spanish, clearly communicated with me by email and was very accommodating of changing travel plans. His dual degrees in horticulture and agronomy combine for an unparalleled perspective on past, present and future agriculture in the region. His family farm is breathtaking on the back of a horse, and you will enjoy a lunch with local ingredients and flavours that you won't find in any restaurant. The hot Springs included at the end of the day are a perfect way to finish. If you're in Copán, plan to spend an extra day for this tour!
8. Mayan Ball Court
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By Jarko2015 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
This area of the Ruinas has been completely restored and looks polished and smooth as a result, but it's still a highlight of the entire park complex, just left of the temple staircase being renovated, you can climb to the top of the ball court, but only by accessing it from an adjoining temple.
9. Main Square
Overall Ratings
4 based on 112 reviews
Reviewed By Scott D - San Salvador, El Salvador
The square is not that big but it has a relaxed atmosphere where you can just sit, people watch and soak in the local culture. There are a few vendors selling local arts and crafts and a few eateries along the outside. The vibe is definitely less edgy than in San Salvador.
10. Sepulturas
Overall Ratings
4 based on 115 reviews
Reviewed By cfuller603 - Washington DC, District of Columbia
Most folks probably don't visit this spot east of town which was an upper class residential area. It's included in the full price ticket. It's called Sepulturas or Cemetery because bones were found in or near the walls of buildings. But now they know that when Mayans died, they were just buried right near where they lived. There are ongoing excavations here so you can see how painstaking and difficult Archeology can be. Worth a visit if you have plenty of time--and a guide.
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