Those in search of “The City of the Arts” travel to Western Honduras, to the town of Copan Ruinas. Only seven miles from the Guatemalan border, this destination takes visitors back in time.

The area is known worldwide for its archeological park, which holds the most impressive Mayan ruins. Believed to have once served as the cultural center of the entire Mayan world, historians, archaeologists, anthropologists and all sorts of tourists come here from all around the globe. It is estimated that more than a hundred thousand visitors walk annually through the park.

It is considered of such importance, that in 1980 the United Nations Organization for Science, Culture and Education (UNESCO) declared it a World Heritage Site, and two years later the Honduran government proclaimed it National Monument.

The town itself is magical, with its cobblestone streets and friendly people. It has hotels and hostels for practically every budget, as well as restaurants, cafes, museums, souvenir shops, and a wide array of tour operators to choose from. As if this weren’t enough, there are some schools that teach intensive Spanish, so you can either learn or practice what you already know of the language.

The Mayan Heritage

The Copan valley is part of the legacy left behind by this majestic culture, that reigned from what is now Southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belice, and El Salvador to Western Honduras.

About half a mile from Copan Ruinas, what is now the archeological park was the city’s urban, political, civic and religious center. It is believed to have been the home of more than 20,000 people during the civilization’s golden age, dating from 250 to 900 A.D.

Discovered in 1570 by Diego Garcia de Palacio, the remnants of carefully designed and constructed buildings and sculptures, show the wide knowledge this group had of astronomy and hieroglyphics. It is all reflected in the beautiful temples, altars, over 25,000 sculptures like stellae –large and intricate, pillar-like stone carvings-, and underground tunnels and stairways.

To really get the most from your visit, well educated guides, fluent in Spanish, English, Italian, French or German, will help you become acquainted with this ancient civilization’s culture and lifestyle.

All those truly interested in this subject should consider setting aside more than a day to truly enjoy the park. Keep in mind that it opens daily at 8 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m.

No matter where you come from and what your interests are, Copan will surely make a lasting and unforgettable impression on you.

History Carved in Stone

If the word “hieroglyph” is a synonym of “Egyptian” for you, you are in for a surprise. Ancient Mayans were one of only five civilizations that created a written language. The number of people who understand Mayan hieroglyphs has dwindled over the centuries, but material evidence for this fact remains as strong as ever. Perhaps one of the best examples of Mayan hieroglyphs can be found within Copan Archeological Park: a monumental hieroglyphs stairway, with 63 stairs that go from the Plaza to the Temple, built under King Smoky Shell in 749 A.D. This massive undertaking was designed to honor the success of 15 Mayan kings. It is the longest inscription found in the Mayan world, and there are nearly 2000 hieroglyph blocks documenting the lives and times of the king and the people of that day. This makes the Hieroglyph Stairway probably the most famous monument to be found in all of Copan Ruinas.

So much to do...

But archaelogy in not all that Copan is about. There are other options for keeping busy in and around the city. Hiking, horseback riding, caving, thermal hot springs, kayaking and tubing in the Copan River are only a few alternatives. • La Pintada Indigenous Community: Interact with the locals and watch as they use timeless techniques to create unique handicrafts. The best known are small dolls made of dried and brightly painted corn leaves. • Macaw Mountain Bird Park and Nature Reserve: Set in an area where ancient Mayans actually lived, visitors can admire Honduran and Central American macaws, toucans and parrots that have been rescued from captivity. There is also a small, functioning coffee plantation that shows how coffee is harvested, roasted and ground during the season. • Copan Coffee Tour: The Santa Isabel Coffee Farm, at over 3.000 feet, has the perfect altitude for high mountain grown coffee. A series of trails lead visitors through the large area, while encountering dozens of bird species along the way. At the Visitors’ Center freshly brewed coffee grown and processed at Santa Isabel is served.

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