Few societies of the ancient Maya contributed as much to religion, art and science as did this agent city tucked alongside a tangled river valley in a remote corner of Honduras.
Try to give yourself two days in the town of Copan. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes as well as local shops.
However, most visitors want to spend time at the ruins and museums learning about the Mayan civilization.
Here are some of the things you would see on a tour of the area.
Las Sepalturas: The homes of the higher classes of priests and scribes.
Copan Museum: Displays artifacts and jewels found at the site.
Macaw Mountain Bird Park: A nine acre preserve is located in an old growth forest close to Copan.
Hacienda San Lucas: A family ranch that is a testament to local traditional and culture.
Sculpture Museum: Designed and built by archaeologists that excavated Copan, this museum protects valuable exhibits. You can descend into the Mayan underworld through a cavern and emerge at the temple Rosalila.
Copan Ruins: These magnificent ruins are known for their detailed carvings and well preserved stelae. Visit the Acropolis, Great Plaza, and Ballcourt. See the Hieroglyphic Stairway where the world’s longest Maya text, with over a thousand glyphs, is carved on 63 stone steps. See Altar Q, a rectangular stone altar with carved portraits of all of Copán’s rulers from the founder, Yax Kuk Mo, to the last ruler, Yax Pac.
