Would you believe me if I told you that deep in the jungle, there lay the ruins of a splendorous civilization, rich in art and science; a people whose disappearance puzzled adventurers and scholars since its rediscovery two hundred years ago? You too could walk the city’s lush gardens, catch shade under its ornate pyramids, and delve deep into its ruins to see the tombs of kings and queens and high priests. This Mayan city of old is located in Copán, Honduras. Read on and you just might find your way to it.
What you’ll need
1. A valid passport
2. A negative antigen covid result or vaccination card (valid 14 days after the second shot)
3. Fill out a pre-check survey to enter Honduras. You can create an account and fill out the form here.
Hitting the road
If you’re parting from Lake Atitlán, the trip begins in Panajachel, then on to Ciudad de Guatemala, and then finally a stretch to Copán Ruinas, Honduras. As mode of transport, it’s best to take the bus. I’ve had a good experience with Magic travel. The bus was neat, not too crowded, and the drivers were friendly. They offer rides at 5:00 am, 9:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 4:00 pm. More info found here.
I advise you to stay awake on this one. Put on your earphones, hit play, and enjoy the scenery, there’s plenty to see. Once out of Sololá, the terrain is very green, you’ll see vast fields of crops, and folks going about. It’s fascinating to see other cultures being themselves. The trip to the capital will take two and a half hours.
C. de Guatemala to Copán Ruinas
Ciudad de Guatemala is the biggest economic hub in Central America. The city also boasts a vibrant artistic and cultural scene. You’re bound to find something that piques your interest, the big city really has it all. The buses headed to Copán Ruinas leave in the morning, so you’ll want to get some lodging for the night. There are two companies offering charter services to Copán. Hedman Alas and CAT. I’ve travelled quite a bit now with Hedman, and they’ve always been solid. Info on Hedman over here.
Crossing the border
The Hedman bus leaves at 5:00 am. Estimated time of arrival is 11:00 am. On this one, a long snoozy is warranted. By high morning you should be very close to Honduras. You’ll be crossing over via the El Florido border. Just make sure you’ve got all your papers in order and everything should run smoothly. Once you get your passport stamped the bus will leave you at their Copán Ruinas office.
Copán Ruinas
The ruins of Copán are two minutes away from the office. The ruins, which were declared a World Heritage site, are not all Copán has to offer. The city center is brimming with interesting shops to browse and the parque central, with its colonial church and antique city hall are a must see. The nightlife in Copán is also quite lively, nothing beats a cold one after exploring the remnants of a civilization from a time far past.