The Best Things to Do in Copán Ruinas

Copán Ruinas is a small town in western Honduras not far from the border with Guatemala.

Typically regarded as the gateway for tourists wishing to visit the nearby Mayan ruins, Copán Ruinas offers more than an opportunity to channel your inner Indiana Jones! Even if, like me and many others visiting by group tour, your stay is short, there’s enough to fill your time and get a flavour for the place.

Paved with cobblestones and home to many colourful buildings, Copán Ruinas is an attractive town and a lovely introduction to Honduras.

In this post, I’ll set out the best things to do in Copán Ruinas. I’ll answer a few frequently asked questions and give you some further options to add to your itinerary. I’ll also offer up a general travel guide and some tips to enhance your visit to Copán Ruinas.

Copán Ruinas vs Mayan Ruins of Copán

It can be a little confusing but Copán Ruinas is the name of the town located close to the Mayan Ruins of Copan. (It’s also often referred to online as Copan Honduras).

In this post I will set out things to do in Copán Ruinas town. To learn more about the Copan ruins themselves, do read my post Mayan Ruins of Copan – What to See and Do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before setting out my recommendations of things to do in Copán Ruinas, it’s worth answering a few frequently asked questions:

1. Is Copán Ruinas worth visiting?

Your visit to Copan Ruinas will most likely coincide with a visit to the nearby Copan Mayan Ruins and so yes, it is worth visiting the town and will likely be your base for visiting the ruins.  

2. When is the best time to visit Copán Ruinas?

The best time to visit Copán Ruinas, and Honduras more generally, is in the dry season. This runs from December to April. Obviously, this is also the high season so expect prices to be a little higher and crowds a little larger. I visited in late February and the weather was hot and humid.

3. How do I get to Copán Ruinas?

I arrived in Copán Ruinas from Antigua Guatemala as part of a group tour travelling through Central America. This is likely the most popular route for getting to Copán Ruinas with tourist shuttles operating between the two cities.

If you are already in Honduras, then buses operate from La Entrada or San Pedro Sula. The latter however is not regarded as a safe city.

4. How many days should I spend in Copán Ruinas?

As I mentioned above, I visited Copán Ruinas as part of a trip through Central America. As a result, I was only in Copán Ruinas for a couple of days. On reflection, I think 2-3 days in Copán Ruinas would be a good amount of time to allow you to visit the Mayan Ruins and to explore the town and surrounding area.

5. Is Copán Ruinas Safe?

Honduras has a reputation for not being safe however in my experience, Copán Ruinas did feel safe. Of course, I was visiting as part of a group trip and whilst no destination is 100% crime free, if you are sensible, protect your valuables and money and don’t take any unnecessary risks, you should be fine.

As with any trip however, you should ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance in the event that something does go wrong. I would also advise checking your own governments’ travel advice.

Staying online in Honduras

If you like to stay online when travelling, either to keep in touch with family and friends, update social media, make bookings or use google maps, but you don’t want to incur roaming charges from your home provider, then consider an eSim from Airalo.

Easy to install, an eSim avoids the need to buy a local Sim card (and risk losing your home Sim when taking it out!) and allows you to continue using your own phone number for calls and texts.

I have used data packages purchased from Airalo on several occasions now, including in Central America, and can highly recommend them. When time is of the essence as it can be when travelling, accessing online resources can be a real time saver. For solo travellers, it can also be a comfort to know you have online access all the time.

Best Things to Do in Copan Ruinas

Despite its small size there are quite a few things you can do during your stay in Copán Ruinas. Here are my suggestions of the best things to do in Copán Ruinas:

1. Visit the Mayan Ruins of Copán

It goes without saying that visiting these impressive Mayan ruins is a must do.

Once a thriving city, the site was discovered in 1576 after it had been abandoned in the 9th century. It’s been the subject of archaeological exploration since the 19th century and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980.

The ruins are located about 1km from Copán Ruinas and are easily accessed either on foot or by tuk tuk.

Visiting these wonderfully preserved Mayan ruins should be at the top of your list. To learn more about them and what you will see when you’re there, do read my post Mayan Ruins of Copán – What to See and Do.

2. Relax in Parque Central (Central Park)

Like most Central American towns, Copán Ruinas is built around a central or main square known as Parque Central (or Central Park in English). It is flanked at one end by local government offices and at the other by the Catholic Church Parroquia San Jose Obrero.

Parque Central is a great place to relax and people watch. You will also find 3 museums close by:

• The Museum of Mayan Sculptures
• The Digital Museum
• The Archaeological Museum

Whilst you’re there, don’t forget to look up – in the trees you will see nesting boxes for the local scarlet macaws.

3. Visit Local Hot Springs

Travelling is often tiring and what better way to relax than in some hot springs! Fortunately, the Luna Jaguar Hot Springs are only about a 45 minute drive from Copán Ruinas. Inspired by Mayan architecture, the hot springs feature pools of differing temperatures and massages.

There’s an entrance fee of US$15 for adults and US$5 for children aged 5 to 11. Under 5s are free. These fees do not include transportation costs.

4. Explore the Town….by Tuk Tuk!

The cobbled streets, colourful buildings and terracotta roofs are lovely…..however many of the streets are pretty steep so racing around them in a tuk tuk not only makes sense but is also great fun!

5. Wander Amongst the Local Markets

In addition to the usual array of stores selling touristy souvenirs, Copán Ruinas has various street markets. A wander through these is a great way to see and meet the locals and get some fresh fruit!

6. Eat and Drink!

Despite its small size, Copán has a number of lovely places to eat and drink. Among them are Cafe Welchez, located next to Parque Central, which offers a delicious array of coffee and food (including breakfast to go!) and ViaVia which serves a great mix of local and international cuisine.

Extra Time in Copan Ruinas?

If you have more time in Copán Ruinas than I did or you’re looking for some other options to add to your itinerary then you may want to consider:

• visiting Macaw Mountain bird rescue and rehabilitation centre caring for more than 30 species of birds including the scarlet macaw. You will also see scarlet macaws at the Mayan Ruins of Copán
• visiting The Tea and Chocolate Place, a café and an educational venue teaching visitors about the environment and sustainable ways of growing and harvesting cacao

Travel Tips

Regardless of how long you intend visiting Copán Ruinas, my advice for all visitors is to:

• wear sunscreen
• wear bug spray
• wear comfortable shoes. The cobbled streets are wonderfully quaint but can give your feet and legs a good workout!
• keep hydrated but don’t drink the tap water. Bottled water is widely available however
• as always, be careful with your belongings, especially in crowded places or when traveling at night
• learn a few Spanish phrases beforehand – it will stand you in good stead

Final Thoughts

As a gateway to one of Central America’s most important Mayan archaeological sites, Copán Ruinas offers visitors an array of activities to experience during a short stopover. A small, quaint town, I found Copán Ruinas a nice introduction to the quieter side of Honduras.

Be sure to read my post Mayan Ruins of Copán – What to See and Do ahead of visiting what really is an amazing site of ancient Mayan ruins. If you’re planning a larger trip to Central America then do read the other guides on my Central America page.

Finally, if you’re looking for extra travel planning advice and help, check out my Resources page.

Disclaimer – Information correct at the time of writing but do check before visiting.