The magical Copán Valley offers a fantastic array of famous and undiscovered activities for the adventurous or curious ecotourist.

"The grace and beauty of the ruins of Copán emanate a powerful sense of history. Nearby are smaller archeological sites all but ignored by conventional tourism, as well as sites of natural beauty, including bird-rich forests, rivers with natural hot springs, and traditional villages tucked away behind tall mountains." - Adventures in Nature Honduras

Just check out the wide range of activities below, and then you´ll see why more and more visitors are visiting Copán for a week or more...
(Please click on any link for more information)

Tour the World Famous Maya Ruins
Go Horseback Riding
Study Spanish
Visit Museums
Visit Indigenous Maya Communities
Take a Hike to Rarely Seen Ruins and Hidden Waterfalls

Go Birdwatching
Soak in a Thermal Hot Springs
Explore Mysterious Caves
Camp in Remote National Parks
Visit the only Maya Children's Museum

Canopy Tours
Go Kayaking or Tubing on the Copán River
Visit an Aquatic Park
Walk along the Scenic Copán River to the Ruins of Los Sapos
Go Mountain Biking
Visit Beautiful & Historic Colonial Towns in the Mountains

Tour a Coffee Farm, and Bring Home a Sample
See Local Artisans Practice Their Craft

For tourist safety tips when travelling in Central America, click here.

Go Horseback Riding

The Copán Valley is surrounded by mountains which offer cultural and natural wonders for the visitor. A great way access these sites is by horse. Click here to learn about the guides who can arrange a memorable horseback outing.

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Study Spanish

Copán Ruinas is the perfect place to study Spanish. For a very economical weekly cost, you can totally immerse yourself in the Spanish language. Click here to learn more.

Visit Museums

There a three museums in Copán Ruinas. At the archeological park, the renowned Sculpture Museum is unforgettable. Click here to learn more. In town, on the main square, are the Copán Museum and Casa Kínich. The Copán Museum exhibits a broad array of artifacts from the ruins. It is open Monday to Saturday, from 8:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. and 1:00p.m. to 4:00p.m. Casa Kínich is the new Maya children´s museum. Click here to learn more.

Visit Indigenous Chortí Maya Communities

Step back in time with a memorable visit to one of the traditional indigenous Chortí Maya communities that live in the mountains around Copán. Many of their traditions, customs, and crafts have remain unchanged for hundreds of years. You can arrange a visit to these communities through a local guide service.

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Take a Hike to Rarely Seen Ruins and Hidden Waterfalls

The hiking in Copán is superb. Just step outside of town in any direction, and you´re guarenteed solitude, nature, and great views. There are numerous hidden wonders in the Copán region that rarely see visitors. Majestic ancient stelae, captivating cloud forests, waterfalls, hot springs, and trails that climb into the sky... Click here to learn more.

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Go Birdwatching

The town of Copán Ruinas is a small oasis of people surrounded by many miles of pine forests, tropical rain forests, cloud forest, and secondary growth forests. In other words, the birdwatching is fabulous. The best birdwatching is from September to April, when numerous migratory species make the Copán Valley their winter home. From October to May, the lagoon at Hacienda El Jaral is home to the remarkable spectale of thousands of stately cattle egrets. Click here to find a guide for your birdwatching adventure.

Soak in a Thermal Hot Springs

Just a 45-minute scenic drive into the mountains north of Copán, the Aguas Calientes, or hot Springs, are a soothing geothermal wonder not to be missed. The park is open daily from 8:00a.m. to 8:00p.m. The entrance fee is 20 Lps. Click here for transportation.

Explore Mysterious Caves

Would you like to go spelunking in a nearby hidden and rarely-explored caves? You´ve come to the right place. Legend has it that some caves in the region were used by the Maya as a secret passage to the underground. Go Native Tours or Yaragua Tours can arrange this adventure.

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Camp in Remote National Parks

There are several majestic National Parks within a few hours´ drive of Copán. Camping and hiking in one of these parks for a couple of days is an excellent excursion from your home base in Copán Ruinas. Click here for information about guides.

Visit Casa K'inich, the only Maya Children's Museum

Casa K´inich is a unique museum and learning center for children, who learn through interactive play in a stimulating, colorful environment. Come to Casa K´inich, and learn why history is important. Click here for more information. Casa K´inich is located just north of the main plaza, and is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. and 1:00p.m. to 4:00p.m.

Go Kayaking or Tubing on the Copán River

The scenic Copán River is easily navigated most of the year. You can even drift right past the Ruins, for a unique persective of the archeological park. Just bring a picnic lunch and your bathing suit. Hacienda El Jaral or Yaragua Tours can arrange rentals.

Visit an Aquatic Park

The El Jaral Aquapark is great fun for the entire family. Located just a few miles outside of town, it´s something different when you need a break from the cultural activities of the Ruins.

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Walk along the Scenic Copán River to the Ruins of Los Sapos

A pleasant stroll along the Copán River a relaxing way to enjoy an afternoon. Either pick up a picnic lunch in town, or eat at Hacienda San Lucas, a traditional Copanecan farmhouse recently restored. San Lucas is also the site of the ruins of Los Sapos (The Toads), the mysterious fertility temple of the ancient Maya. Local guide services can arrange your visit, by foot, horse, or vehicle.

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Go Mountain Biking

If you´re looking for a workout, rent a bike in town, and head out in any direction. (Most directions are up, WAY up). Stop by the Chamber of Commerce office for suggested itineraries. And, don´t forget to bring lots of water!

Visit Beautiful & Historic Colonial Towns in the Mountains

Just a few hours' drive from Copán are several historic and lovely colonial towns which make a great day trip from town. Local guide services can arrange your visit.

Tour a Coffee Farm, and Bring Home a Sample

There are several coffee fincas (farms) in the Copán region. Some use organic cultivation techniques. Enjoy a fascinating tour, then bring home a pound or two to your friends. Local guide services can arrange your visit, by foot, horse, or vehicle.

See Local Artisans Practice Their Craft

Visit local indigenous communities to witness timeless techniques for making local handicrafts.You can arrange a visit to these communities through a guide service.

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