The Copán Ruins, also known as the Ruinas de Copán, are one of the most important attractions in Honduras. Located in the western part of the country approximately seven miles from the Guatemalan border, Copán once served as the primary city in the southwestern portion of Mayan territory. The preserved portion of the ancient city covers only a fraction of its original size but it still includes elaborate temples and plazas, detailed stone sculptures, and intricate hieroglyphs. It was named an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.
According to the Parque Arqueológico Ruinas de Copán, there are more than 4,500 structures with most of the primary focus of visitors on the "Principal Group". This group consists of five areas, each with its own individual beauty and history.
- Acropolis – Consists of the western court and the eastern court. The western court includes Temple 11, which was built as a portal to the underworld. Temple 16 includes Altar Q at its base and it was built on top of the previous temple (Rosalila Temple) without damaging the remains. The reproduction of Altar Q shows the long line of Copán's 16 rulers passing their power down to their heirs.
- The Great Plaza – This large plaza is known for its number of stelae (meaning "tree stones") that glorified the rulers as well as the altars. In addition to the monuments to the kings, the plaza also includes the Ball Court, which is the second largest in Central America. There competitive games were held with outcomes that even cost the lives of the losers.
- The Hieroglyphic Stairway – Protected from the elements by a canopy, these 63 steps tell the history of the battles won by the former kings. With its thousands of hieroglyphs, it is the longest known text of ancient Mayan civilization.
- The Tunnels - Archaeologists have dug approximately 2.5 miles of tunnels under the Acropolis in order to view the early stages of the Copán civilization. Two of the tunnels are open to the public.
- Museo de Escultura Maya – The Museo contains many sculptures as well as replicas from the site. One of its main attractions is the full-size replica of the Rosalila Temple, complete with bright colors and decorations that give visitors a glimpse to the life of the Mayans.
As Copán Ruins guide Inmar Diaz, states, "In 800 A.D., Copán was the center of an empire. Its temples the skyscrapers of the day, its broad plazas and elaborate carvings designed to exalt the rulers and impress the humble." It is easy to see why it is an amazing attraction and it should be on anyone's itinerary when visiting the country of Honduras.
Getting to the Copán Ruins in Honduras
A majority of foreign visitors get to the Copán Ruins by way of the San Pedro Sula International Airport. It offers daily, direct international flights to many American airports such as Miami, Houston, New York and Los Angeles. It also offers connections through all of the major Central American airports from Mexico City to Panama City. The airport is a convenient place to purchase a tour package through one of several Honduran tour operators based in San Pedro Sula.
For those who prefer to avoid the group tour package and explore on their own, there is the Hedman Alas bus line that offers service from San Pedro Sula to Copán Ruinas on its fleet of high-quality buses. The three-hour ride departs daily from the bus station in San Pedro Sula where passengers can wait for the buses in comfortable, theater-style seating. For those coming from Guatemala, there is also bus service from Guatemala City but it can take up to eight hours due to the several connections involved.
According to the Copán Guide Association, the ruins are approximately a half-mile outside of the town of Copán Ruinas (not to be confused with Ruinas de Copán) and can be reached on foot in 15 to 20 minutes. The association offers informative guides who can be hired for groups of up to 10 people at the entrance to the ruins. The tours can last between one to four hours depending on number of stops along the way.
Best Hotels Near the Copán Ruins in Honduras
Hacienda San Lucas
Located in the hills above the Copán Ruins, this century-old residence was converted into an eco-lodge in 2000. It is managed by Flavia Cueva, who continues to focus on sustainable development on cultural preservation and it shows in every detail of the establishment. It provides eight individually designed guest rooms with private bath, hot water, solar lighting and hand-crafted furniture made from local cedar. Guests have plenty of private sitting areas and hammocks for relaxation and to add to the intimacy, each of the guest rooms is candlelit. The on-site restaurant specializes in five-course candlelight dinners with freshly made local cuisine (especially the traditional Honduras tamales) paired with a variety of South American wines. It has been praised by many travel publications ranging from the New York Times to Travel + Leisure magazine and rightfully so.
Hotel Marina Copán
Overlooking the Parque Central in Copán Ruinas, this charming hotel is one of the most convenient bases for exploring the ruins. It offers 49 guest rooms ranging from single, double and triple occupancy rooms to the luxury Presidential Suites complete with marble bathrooms, dark wooden furniture and comfortable bedding. Each guest room also offers both hot and cold water, cable television, air conditioning and Internet access. Guests have access to the landscaped outdoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and gym. It also provides the on-site Glifo's Restaurant, which specializes in traditional meals from Copán as well as international cuisine in a fine-dining atmosphere. The Jaguar Venado Bar, located next to the swimming pool provides a live marimba band on the weekends, which adds to the tropical feel of the hotel.
Clarion Copán Ruinas
Formerly known as the Hotel Posada Real de Copán, the Clarion Copán Ruinas is the one of the closest hotels to the ruins. It offers 80 guest rooms (double, triple and quadruple occupancy) with views of tropical gardens and amenities such as air conditioning, cable television, and access to the outdoor swimming pool and hot tub. The on-site Las Ruinas Restaurant provides a variety of international cuisine with outside dining that includes views of the mountains or the landscaped grounds. The hotel also offers full-service, flexible space for both private and business functions for up to 150 people.
Hotel Don Udo's
Located two blocks south of the Parque Central in Copán Ruinas, Hotel Don Udo's is a convenient location for exploring both the town as well as the ruins. The European-style hotel offers 16 cozy and individually decorated guest rooms with amenities such as hot and cold water, purified drinking water, air conditioning and wireless Internet access. Guests have access to Copán's only sauna, plenty of private sitting areas, hammocks and an on-site restaurant that specializes in top-quality steaks, seafood, regional dishes and homemade pastas. The third-floor sun deck is one of the highlights of the hotel, which provides views of the Copán Valley.
Each of these small and medium-sized hotels in Copán Ruinas is conveniently located near the impressive Copán Ruins within easy reach from San Pedro Sula. With individually designed guest rooms, high-quality personal service and access to additional tours of the region, these hotels are some of the best in this historic location.
James Nalley - James Nalley is a full-time travel journalist whose work has been published in more than 100 magazines, journals and websites.
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