Why go
Between the years 400 and 800, Copán was one of the great Maya cities. Today its plazas, temples and sculptures form an archaeological park listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a few minutes from a town of cobbled streets, cafés and tuk-tuks.
Don’t miss
- The Great Plaza and its stelae, stone portraits of Copán’s rulers.
- The Hieroglyphic Stairway, the longest Maya text known.
- The scarlet macaws, Honduras’ national bird, flying over the ruins.
- The Sculpture Museum, with a life-size replica of the Rosalila temple.
Tips for your visit
- Hire a local guide at the entrance: it changes the whole visit.
- Bring cash in lempiras; not every place takes cards.
- During Holy Week, book your hostel in advance.
