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Copan

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Honduras: Copan

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Copán is one of the most impressive Mayan ruins in Mesoamerica and lies at the eastern limit of the empire.  It is not as immense as the sites of Tikal (Guatemala) or Chichén Itzá (Mexico) but here, beneath the tentacles of greedy jungle vegetation, the craftsmanship has survived the vagaries of time - most impressively the intricate carvings of 21 stone columns, or stelae. distributed among the temples and ball courts. The renowned hieroglyphic stairway has 1,250 blocks carved with glyphs - the longest inscribed text in the New World.  Copán fell into decline soon after its apogée in the 8th century.

Our holidays to Copan

View all holidays
Ruins at Copan Honduras

Signature Honduras: Jungle, islands and Mayan ruins

Private journey

11 days from £2,169pp

Granada

Alcion: Central America Discovery

Group tour

22 days from £2,593pp

Honduran mountains

Guatemala and Honduras uncovered

Private journey

14 days from £3,293pp

tikal

Treasures of Central America: Heritage of the Aztec and Mayan Empires

Private journey

18 days from £4,467pp

Things to do in Copan

Go Horse Riding

Horse riding in Honduras

Visit Lancatilla Botanical Gardens

Visit Lancetilla Botanical Gardens


Visit the Ruins of Copán

Visit the Mayan ruins of Copan

Our insider tips for Copan

Chris

Chris Rendell-Dunn

Avoiding the crowds with an early morning (8am) visit to the rainforest-stifled Mayan ruins. You can then wander in peace to admire the grand plaza and the hieroglyphic stairway climbing the side of a pyramid.

Rafe Stone

Rafe Stone

Visiting the excellent Museum of Mayan Sculpture at the site, arguably the best collection in the Mayan world. Some of the original stelae are protected in here, with copies at the site itself.
Jim

Jim Ashworth

Enjoying a few hours discovering the little town of Copán Ruinas, just over 1km from the ruins (15mins on foot via a raised walkway). Visit the baroque church in the restful, somewhat bucolic, Parque Central.
Sophie Barber

Sophie Barber

Seeking out the butterfly and bird parks on the edge of town.

What our clients say

97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.

Nandu: Peaks and plains of patagonia | Tour rating: Excellent

Amazing!

Copan Ruins - It is truly magnificent and a revelation about the Mayan civilization – its high level of artistic achievements.

PT, Clevedon | May 2014

Nandu: Peaks and plains of patagonia | Tour rating: Excellent

Amazing experience

The ruins of Copán and our excellent guide were incredible.

AK, Wantage | June 2013

Nandu: Peaks and plains of patagonia | Tour rating: Excellent

Wonderful

The Copan Valley in Honduras, where the ruins are situated, has wild scarlet macaws flying around, which are magnificent. Nearby, Macaw Mountain park is an excellent attraction for bird watchers, with experts providing information about the breeding programme that is repopulating the valley with macaws. We saw toucans in the wild here, in addition to those in cages, and there is also home grown coffee available; we'd have liked longer here.

MT, AUE | January 0001

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97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.

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