Honduras Top Tourist Attractions:
Copan Tegucigalpa San Pedro Sula Santa Rosa de Copan
Gracias Choluteca La Ceiba Trujillo

  A Description of Copan The Copan Valley is located in the western portion of Honduras and is the site of some of the most important sources of information on the ancient Maya civilization. The ancient city of Copan is the main center of interest, although the legacy of the Maya can be found throughout the valley.

Copan has always been referred to as the most artistically advanced and elaborate of all the Maya cities. Copan was declared a Heritage site in 1980 by UNESCO, and continuous study of the city by archaeologists for over a century make it the most researched city of the Maya.
The principal attractions in Copan are the main park, Las Sepulturas, Los Sapos, the museum located in the town, and the 'tree stones' or stelae surrounding the valley.

Alternative Tourist Activities

Copan River Rafting has two daily trips navigating the Copan River which flows past the archaeological park. The river features mainly class III rapids, with some class IV and is good for both beginners and experts.
Agua Caliente lives up to its name, offering hot thermal waters flowing into a cold water river forming natural pools and showers. This soothing environment can be found 45 minutes from Copan via a dirt road with pleasant scenery.
Another watery attraction is The El Ruby Waterfall, located just 9km from Copan near the small colonial town of Santa Rita. It is a 35 minute walk up the mountain to the waterfall and an accompanying boulder known by the locals as "El Ruby".
There are a number of smaller waterfalls along the same stretch of river and, if you have a guide, you can return a route that passes through several small villages and offers stunning views of Santa Rita and the surrounding valley. This tour takes approximately 4 hours and is one of the back-road adventures that can easily become a highlight of a trip.

Hotels
There are about fifteen hotels in Copan that deserve listing, ranging in price from budget to luxury. The budget traveler can expect shared bathrooms, cold water, and no telephone service, while the mid-to-high range hotels offer all the usual amenities.

Restaurants and Bars
The number of restaurants in Copan has grown dramatically over the past five years. Visitors can now find Mexican and Italian as well as the standard Honduran fare. Most restaurants are closed by 10:00 pm which allows for plenty of time at the local watering holes and the town's one disco, Alejandro's.

Shopping
Souvenir shops around the town of Copan sell locally made miniature replicas of the Mayan sculptures exhibited at the park. Most of them are quite elaborate and real pieces of art. In addition, there are wood handicrafts, jade articles with Mayan motifs, and Guatemalan textiles from across the border.
Fine cigars that are locally hand-rolled can be found at "La Flor de Copan" cigar factory in Santa Rosa de Copan. Their product is mostly destined for export and is of the finest international standards. Locally made leather goods are also high quality.

Getting There

The nearest main airport is the San Pedro Sula International Airport. It is served by LACSA, TACA, COPA, Aero Costa Rica, American, Continental and Iberia.
Once in San Pedro Sula, you can purchase a tour package through one of the Honduran tour operators or take advantage of the North Coast Shuttle service. Tel. (504) 58-0744 The journey takes around two and a half hours.
Public transportation is available, however there are only two direct buses and the journey between San Pedro and Copan Ruinas usually takes over five hours.
From Guatemala City, you may fly directly to Copan Ruinas.
The journey overland from Guatemala City will usually take between 7 to 8 hours and involves going through Chiquimula and the Vado Hondo detour to the border at Florido.
Note: the border is open daily from 7:00 am to 6 pm only! Copan is located 12km into Honduras.

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