MANARAT ALMUSAFER FOR TRAVEL AND TOURISM: Copan, OK

Copan, OK Honduras

Copán is an archaeological site of the Maya civilization located in the Copán Department of western Honduras, not far from the border with Guatemala. The city was situated in the extreme southeast of the Mesoamerican cultural region, on the frontier with the Isthmo-Colombian cultural region. The city has a historical record that spans the greater part of the Classic period and has been reconstructed in detail by archaeologists and epigraphers. The Copán Ruins are the highlight of Copán. Although quite extensive, they are not as large as Tikal in Guatemala or Teotihuacan in Mexico, but there is more sculpture here than in any other Pre-Columbian city. The ruins are prized for the carved stelae of ancient rulers and the well-preserved hieroglyphics, including the hieroglyphic stairway. Also in the archaeological park is a marvelous Mayan museum (entry $7/person) with a reconstructed temple and fabulous artifacts. It's recommended to be there when it opens at 8 AM, as the site gets very hot by midday. Hire a guide at the entrance to the ruins for $25, divided among however many people you can gather. Cesar (30s, good accented English) and Antonio (60s, few teeth, excellent English) are recommended if they're available. Besides the ruins, the countryside is attractive. The slow-paced local life is quite calm, and farming of corn, beans, coffee, and tobacco is the main vocation.

Recommended airport

La Mesa Intl (SAP)

Points of interest

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Rendez-vous au Guatemala

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Destinations: Guatemala City, Copan, OK, Guatemala City, Copan, OK, Dulce River, NM, Livingston, Flores GMT, Dulce River, NM, Flores GMT, Guatemala City, Tikal, Chichicastenango, Guatemala City, San Juan La Laguna, Panajachel, Lake Atitlán, San Juan La Laguna, Panajachel, The Old One, Guatemala City