COPÁN RUINAS
Copán Ruinas is beautiful! It's a small community in Western Honduras where everyone knows everyone, time moves a little slower, and travelers are warmly welcomed. A lovely, historic town of bright colors, breathtaking views, and wonderful people, Copán is easily navigable and a delight to explore.
This one-week trip is designed to be the perfect mix of vacation, service and learning. Honduras has so much to offer when it comes to culture, natural beauty and friendly people. Exposure to this corner of the world will touch your heart and leave you wanting to return for more.
Copán is a safe place where you can relax, unwind, and truly enjoy the Latin America experience.
DAILY OVERVIEW and highlights
Copán offers many unique and unforgettable experiences: horseback riding through a gorgeous coffee plantation (Finca El Cisne coffee farm). Enjoying late afternoons at the natural hot springs (Luna Jaguar). Exploring the beauty and the magnificence of the Mayan ruins. Meeting with friends over café con leche on the back terrace while the sun burns the fog from the mountains.
Some afternoons will also be spent visiting the UrbanPromise Honduras programs, meeting children and maybe even participating in an art class or spontaneous soccer match. The endless smiles and hugs from camp are always a highlight.
“Copan is a quaint quiet town with cobblestone streets. Nestled in the foothills of the mountains, it is a fascinating town, both socially & architecturally. I smiled and gave an “Hola” to everyone I passed on the streets, and got a smile and a “Buenos Dias” from everyone in return. A delightful town! ”
ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD
Your nights will be spent at the boutique bed and breakfast, Hotel Terramaya. We generally enjoy breakfast together at the hotel and sometimes are joined by friends from Copán. Meeting locals is the best way to learn about Honduras, understand the culture, and fall in love with their country.
Although Honduras will probably not be mentioned on travel food shows, it does boast a lot that can make a top ten list. From the simple to the gourmet, you will have an opportunity to sample it all. We visit some local hole-in-the-wall joints, and we visit some of the top-rated restaurants on Trip Advisor. A full belly and a satisfied smile will be the norm as you gain a new appreciation for the culinary secrets of Honduras.
“Though we really enjoyed the mountains, the cool evenings, the rain, and the food, the most memorable thing about this trip was the people we met. The friendliness and the hospitality of the people in Copán really stood out to me. ”
Dates and pricing details:
2018: January 23-29
2018: March 25-31
2018: July
2018: October
Trip cost is $950 for a double and $1,200 for a single.
We keep our trips small, around 6-8 people total. We reserve spots based on a first come, first serve basis. You can reserve your spot today by sending a request through our Contact Page, or emailing us directly at blair.uphonduras@yahoo.com (Blair Quinius).
“I feel like Copán Ruinas is the kind of community that recognizes the hardness of life and the grit it takes to survive it. So they celebrate the basic things, the most important things: family, good friends, great food. Their history is as beautiful, intricate, and half-explored as their ruins. The community is authentic and unassuming.”
Price includes:
- 6 nights accommodation at Hotel Terramaya Boutique Hotel
- 3 meals per day sampling the best of Honduran cuisine
- Private transportation in-country transport
- Bilingual staff person accompanying the group at all times
- Eco-tour to Finca El Cisne coffee and cacao farm
- Luna Jaguar hot springs adventure and mud bath
- Tours: Copán Archeological Park (Mayan ruins) and Macaw Mountain (bird sanctuary)
Price does not include:
- Airfare
- Alcohol
- Souvenirs
- Additional snacks throughout the trip
- Some optional tours
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CopÁn Ruinas like?
It is best described by past trip participants themselves...
The town center of Copan is a quaint and picturesque scene, with an eclectic blend of locals and tourists constantly milling about against a backdrop of lush green hills and adobe style structures on a foundation of cobblestone. The outskirts are very humble, and much more impoverished and rugged; where the residents carry on the daily work of tending crops, raising farm animals, doing laundry and cooking over open fire. Everywhere, locals sit on their front stoops ready to greet visitors or engage in conversation with neighbors.
Elizabeth Busch, teacher
Copán is unlike any other place I have ever traveled to. Within days, you will likely feel that Copán is home away from home. From the beautiful mountains, to the bright colors of homes and buildings, unique foods, adventures, and beautiful smiles of the Honduran people; Copán has so much to experience.
Lauren Quinius, speech therapist
There are a variety of things to explore in Copán Ruinas among them being coffee farms, hot springs, and Mayan ruins. It is fun just to walk around town to take in the culture and interact with the locals. Also, Honduran food is excellent - I highly recommend the baleadas.
Geoffrey Ogden, marketing administrator
What is a typical day like?
We have 5 full days in Copán Ruinas. The day starts with a delicious breakfast together at the hotel (generally around 8am). We are often joined by local teenagers and UrbanPromise Honduras (UPH) employees for breakfast. This offers a great opportunity for storytelling and learning about about life in Copán. Things have a leisurely pace on the trip and we move at a rhythm that works for the entire group. After breakfast and prepping for the day, we head out for the morning until lunch. This varies by day, but generally consists of different cultural and tourist activities in the area. After lunch we visit the Afterschool programs or Summer Camps of UPH. There is no requirement to participate but groups often enjoy engaging with the children, which could include anything from helping them learn multiplication tables to playing soccer or simply pushing them on the swing. This is a memorable moment for both the children and the group. Evenings activities include good food and relaxing around some chocolate cake or a glass of wine!
For details on specific activities or daily agenda, please see the list above and do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.
You can expect to have fun being a part of a UPH camp or spending time with UPH staff AND having a fun excursion for the day. The days are filled with activities but there is also downtime to rest and do some exploring on your own.
Andrea Gardner, nurse
what should I pack?
The weather does not vary much in Copán. Temperatures generally stay between 65-95 F, peaking during the day and then dropping up to 20 degrees at night. Plan for hot weather and generally conservative dress. Other than normal packing for hot weather, be sure to bring good walking shoes, sunscreen and bug spray. The months of March-April are generally drier and hotter, while the months of May-October there is a greater chance of humidity and rain. A light rain jacket is not always needed but can be useful during the rainy season. It never gets cold in Copán but there can be cool nights in Dec-Feb, perfect for a lightweight long sleeve shirt.