Things to do Copán, Honduras
Nestled within the cooler mountains of Western Honduras, Copán is a major stop for any backpacker heading through Central America.
Here we can enjoy the charming life and vibes of a more relaxed Honduran town, see tropical exotic birds in Macaw Mountain as well as take some beautiful photos in the Paseo de los Girasoles.
And that’s all without mentioning the incredible ancient ruins of Copán – which were some of the most important for the Mayan civilisation during their rule in Mesoamerica.
Copán Quick Summary:
- 📍 Where Is It: Western Honduras
- 🗺 Difficulty Getting There: Moderate
- ⏱ Time Needed: 2-4 Days
- ☀️ Best Time to Visit: November-April
Things to do in Copán, Honduras
In this guide we’ll explore Copán, what to see and do, the best places to stay as well as our own top tips for a backpacking trip here.
Why Travel to Copán?
Similar to Antigua in Guatemala as well as Santa Ana in El Salvador, Copán gives us the opportunity to really relax in the heart of Central America.
Whilst major cities such as the capitals tend to be crazy and confusing, this small town is much more laidback and flows at a slower and friendlier pace.
You’ll want to make sure you bring your camera with you around town, given there are lots of cobblestone streets and colonial colorful buildings worth snapping.
You can also stop off at numerous local cafes around town to eat some tasty Baleadas (which are similar to burritos) as well as drink a refreshing Horchata.
Copán is also the perfect basecamp for exploring incredible sites in and around the local mountainous region. This includes Copán Ruins which is one of the most fascinating Mayan sites in Central America, as well as seeing exotic birds here and in Macaw Mountain. We’ll look at these and why each is worth experiencing later in this guide.
How to Get to Copán
Situated within the remote Honduran mountains, getting to Copán isn’t the most straightforward destination – however it’s not too difficult either.
The most likely case is that you’ll be in neighboring Guatemala. From the popular destination of Antigua it will take 7-11 hours to reach Copán depending on if taking a shuttle bus (which is more convenient) or an adventurous combination of shuttle buses.
If you’re in El Salvador then it’s actually a little more complicated (although it looks more simple on the map). From Santa Ana you’ll first actually need to cross the border into Guatemala, take a chicken bus along and then hop back out into Honduras. You can also expect it to take 8-10 hours to complete the trip.
Now if you’re already in Honduras, then the rides here will usually be more simple (and direct without having to change numerous times). The bus from Tegucigalpa to Copán takes around 5 hours, whilst from San Pedro Sula it takes roughly 4 hours.
Where to Stay in Copán
To be completely honest, the town of Copán is so small that it really doesn’t matter where you stay! Of course closer to the Parque Central is busier with more eating options, whilst further out will be more tranquil.
It’s important to remember that you’ll want to book in the town of Copán Ruins, and not confuse it with another town called Santa Rosa de Copán (which is located about an hour away!).
Those who want to keep costs down will love the Stella Hostel which offers cheap dorm beds and is also quite close to the main Parque Central. They also have AC which is ideal when daytime temperatures get quite hot at noon (in the evening they will drop back down again rapidly).
If you want a more comfortable stay then we highly recommend staying at La Posada Copán. Located right on the main square, here you’ll be staying in a deluxe private room along with a terrace which is perfect for enjoying the scenic mountain views. You’ll also be just footsteps from many great local and international eating options too.
Best Time to visit Copán
Overall the temperatures in Copán follow a similar pattern throughout the year, with warm daily averages of 72-86°F (with highs of up to 87°F), whilst evening lows can drop down to a more fresco 62°F.
Rainfall on the other hand can vary quite a bit, with Copán having both a dry and wet season. The dry season runs from November until April, with just 0.5-1.5 inches falling throughout each month.
The heavier wet season starts around May and lasts until late October. Here we can expect anywhere from 3-5.5 inches of downpour each month. If heading during this time then it’s a good idea to bring a solid poncho in case you get a random shower here or there.
Got Travel Insurance for Honduras?
Best Things to do and see in Copán
Now that we’ve covered some of the basics about Copán, let’s take a look at the very best things to see and do here.
The Macaw Mountain Bird Park
Now whilst you’ll still see lots of Macaws in the ruins and sometimes around town, nothing can beat a visit to the Macaw Mountain Bird Park. Here you’ll be able to see a wide variety of rare exotic birds, many of which have been rescued from the illegal bird trade.
This includes species like the Keel-billed Toucan, White-crowned Parrots as well as Macaws in all kinds of reds, green and blues. At the end of the walking circuit they also let some free which you can get up and close with for a perfect shot!
With this organized day tour you’ll have all transport to and from the site, as well as a nature guide to teach you about all of the different species you’ll see here.
Walk Along the Paseo de los Girasoles
Fancy changing things up entirely? Then you can take a 15 minute mototaxi ride to the Paseo de los Girasoles which is located right outside of the town.
This scenic spot is nicely located within the mountains of the nearby region, and has endless rows of beautiful sunflowers. Again it’s great for getting that different kind of shot, and also for chilling out with a picnic once you’re tired from walking so much around the ruins.
Visit the Ancient Ruins of Copán
No trip to Copán can miss out on a visit to its ancient Mayan Ruins – which are so notorious that this town is named right after them (important note: this town is actually called Ruinas de Copán – not to be confused with another nearby town of Santa Rosa de Copán).
Known for its elaborate display of incredible stone-carved faces on many of the temples, these ruins were built around 1400 B.C and served as one of the most important sites for the Maya civilization.
We highly suggest joining this guided tour which includes pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation, as well as your own private knowledgeable guide to show you around this unbelievable site.
Chill Out in the Luna Jaguar Spa
Those who really want to chill out will love this spa which is located close to the Copán Ruins. Known for its variety of natural hot and cold streams, here you can enjoy as many as 13 different pools located throughout the Honduran Jungle.
Whilst most ideal in the late afternoon to relax after a busy day of walking around, it’s also worth heading to early in the morning to have the entire place to yourself.
Copán Backpacking Tips
Now we’ll share some tips for visiting Copán, based on our own experience.
- Time Needed for Copán – We recommend spending between 2-4 days in Copán. Usually you’ll be able to see all of the major sights in just a couple of days, however you may feel like chilling in this peaceful town for a bit before moving on (especially as it can take a while to get here from other destinations in Central America).
- Packing Properly for a Trip – Whilst the rest of Honduras is pretty hot all day long, in Copán the temperatures can drop quite a bit at night. Be sure to pack a couple of jumpers or blankets if you plan on visiting here during your trip, or if you’re already on the road you can easily pick-up warm local garments in town.
- Mototaxis Galore – When it comes to getting around Copán, mototaxis really are king here. You can fly around town for super cheap, and we really recommend it since taxis here are going to be more expensive. The mototaxis also head off to the ruins and other sites in the nearby region too, so do expect a bumpy ride at times on these longer rural rides!
Things to do in Copán, Honduras
And that’s all for our backpacking guide to Copán. This scenic mountain town is the perfect place to break up a trip through Honduras, where you can enjoy a mixture of ancient ruins, thermal spas and also see a variety of exotic birds too!
You’ll also be able to visit many low-key sites around the surrounding region which are quite different from your usual highlights.
In this guide we’ve covered everything you’ll need to know about Copán. This includes the best things to see and do, the best time to visit, where to stay and much more.
See our Honduras Itinerary if you are planning on a longer trip through this country.
We hope you enjoyed reading this guide! If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.
“Dear traveler! Some links in this post contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click through and make a purchase, book a hostel or sign up for a tour, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support means a lot and helps us to carry on traveling and maintaining the quality of this site for you.”
