Few societies of the ancient Maya contributed as much to religion, art, and science as did this ancient city tucked alongside a tangled river valley in a remote corner of Honduras. And virtually no site has contributed so much to the modern understanding of the great civilization that was the Maya. Since its discovery by John Stephens in 1839, Copán has been an unmolested study in archaeology. Scholars, archaeologists, and Mayanists from around the world continue painstaking investigations among crumbled walls and intricately carved stelae, and major discoveries continue with dramatic regularity.
Today Copán is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Honduran national monument. The pretty colonial town of Copán Ruinas hosts the national museum and is only a few minutes walk from the major ruins and an excellent base for
your explorations.
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The
archeological park- Plan at least a full day and multiple
trips from your nearby hotel in order to see it all. There are acres
of ruins, temples, sacrificial stones, ball courts, stellae, and
aqueducts in various stages of restoration or study. A separate tour
through the archaeological tunnels, if available, should not be
missed.
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Las Sepalturas- The homes of the higher
classes of scribes and priests give us a rare insight into the daily
lives of the ancients.
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Sculpture Museum- While closed for renovation
at this writing, the museum was designed and built by archeologists
that excavated Copán. It
protects and expertly exhibits the most valuable of the original
stellae. Descend into the Mayan underworld through a serpentine
cavern and emerge to the brilliant colors of temple Rosalila
bathed in the natural light and shadow of the passing sun.
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The Copan Museum- Located in the main square
of Copán Ruinas
displays jewels and artifacts artifacts found at the site.
See the tomb of a scribe and the sculptured bench of a house
excavated at "Las Sepulturas".
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El Sapo - The Mayan fertility site is most
often, and delightfully, reached by horseback.
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Copán Ruinas-
We highly recommend staying overnight in the
local town of Copán Ruinas.
With it's cobbled streets,
friendly locals, archaeologists both domestic and foreign, great
tipico restaurants and bars, and some of the best shops in the
country, the town is itself an attraction. Plaza Central often hosts
community entertainment and events. The walk to the archeological
park is an education in itself as you pass local neighborhoods and
numerous Mayan sculptures and stellae along the path.
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Macaw Mountain Bird Park
is devoted to saving the habitat and native bird populations,
the nine acre preserve is located in an old growth forest close to
Copan.
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Hacienda San Lucas - The family ranch is
not only a great lunch stop enroute to El Sapo, but is a testament
to local tradition and culture as well as quaint guest house.
Rates are subject to change without notice. Rates quoted in these pages are for quotation purposes only. While we
attempt to keep rates up to date and error free, your final rate is determined by hotel or tour operator at the time of reservation confirmation. Roatan Charter is not responsible for errors or omissions that may appear in this site or in printed material.