Copán sits in the green hills of western Honduras, a few kilometres from the border with Guatemala. It is a smaller site than Tikal or Chichén Itzá, and that is part of its charm: you can walk it in a morning, stand close to the carvings, and still have time for lunch in the cobbled town of Copán Ruinas. UNESCO listed the site as a World Heritage Site in 1980.

What makes Copán special

Copán is famous for its sculpture. The stelae in the Great Plaza are carved in deep relief, almost in the round, with portraits of the city’s rulers wrapped in feathers, masks and glyphs. Many of them show the king known as 18 Rabbit, who ruled during the city’s peak in the 8th century.

The highlight for most visitors is the Hieroglyphic Stairway. Its steps carry the longest known Maya inscription, a record of the city’s royal line. A canopy protects it from the rain, and a guide makes a real difference here: the stairway is much easier to appreciate when someone explains what you are looking at.

Don’t skip Las Sepulturas

A short walk from the main park, Las Sepulturas was a residential area for Copán’s noble families. It is quieter than the Great Plaza and shows how the city’s elite actually lived, with courtyards, benches and household compounds. On our tour, Las Sepulturas is part of the same guided day.

Look up for the macaws

Scarlet macaws, the national bird of Honduras, fly over the ruins and are often seen near the entrance. They are also the reason for our name: guacamayo is Spanish for macaw.

Tips for your visit

  • Start early. Mornings are cooler and the light on the stelae is softer.
  • Wear walking shoes and bring water, a hat and sunscreen.
  • Give it a full morning. Two to three hours covers the Great Plaza, the Acropolis and the stairway at a relaxed pace.
  • Spend an evening in Copán Ruinas town. It is small, safe to walk and full of cafés.

How Copán fits the Discover Honduras tour

On our 9-day circuit we pick you up at San Pedro Sula (SAP) or Palmerola (XPL) on Day 1 and drive straight to Copán Ruinas. Day 2 is the guided visit to the archaeological park and Las Sepulturas. On Day 3 we head to the Caribbean coast at Tela, and the trip continues to La Ceiba, Roatán and Cayos Cochinos.