stuckinCT

If you had to choose between visiting Copan and La Ceiba, where would you go and why? I'm planning a week vacation to Honduras and would like to split my time between one of the two and then Roatan. I don't want to go to all three places in one week because it will feel rushed and not very relaxing.
Thanks!

airwayvz

If I was already going to Roatan then I would choose Copan just to mix it up and get a good taste of mainland Honduras. Don't know your budget, but if you can swing it, spend a night here when you're in the Copan area : www.fincaelcisne.com. The $75 isn't bad when you figure it's 3 meals, horseback riding, lodging, and a coffee farm tour.

ttraveler

Airwayvz,
I am going to Honduras for the second time in April. This time we will be visiting Copan and I have been doing some research on Finca Cisne and was considering doing the one day trip. It sounds as if you really enjoyed it. We will only be there two and a half days. Do you think with the short amount of time we have that it would be worthwhile? Also, where did you stay in Copan? Thanks

hopefulist

La Ceiba itself isn't that lovely imo, though there are great villages in the area and wonderful mountain adventures. It's HOT and a city and I'm not much of a city person. In addition to a great time at Omega Lodge outside La Ceiba with my husband, I lived with absolutely lovely hosts for a week while attending Spanish school there before meeting up with my husband again on Roatán.


Copán is totally different - a really small, colonial town in the mountains, a bit cooler, and lots to do in the area in addition to the lovely ruins. I spent 2 weeks there a few years ago and am heading back next week for 2-3 more, again for Spanish study but this time with a group in tow.

Please check out my photos; there are travelogues linked on the main page of all the most recent collections: http://flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

Happy trails and keep us posted!

airwayvz

ttravler - Yep, we really enjoyed it...Carlos is fantastic. I have a few pictures from there on my flicker site, here they are:

http://flickr.com/search/?q=finca&w=37166287%40N00

I think it's worth it to visit there, but it really depends on what your other plans in the Copan area are...I know if I ever visit Copan again I'll stay at Finca El Cisne for at least a night. You can also do a day trip and be back in Copan by 7pm or so. Of course then you'll miss the wonderful home cooked dinner & breakfast.

Also, the guest house is really out in the middle of nowhere, so don't expect nightlife if you stay there. Matter of fact, they ask you to use candles instead of the electricity, but hey that just added to the charm for us.

In Copan we stayed at the Iguana Azul Hostel. http://www.iguanaazulcopan.com/ $10 a night for a private locking room. The same people own Casa de Cafe right next door if you're looking for something in the $50 a night range. It has a good view from the back porch and looked very nice inside when we dropped by to chat with the owners.

airwayvz

Oops...here's the link for Casa de Cafe:

http://www.casadecafecopan.com/

ttraveler

Airwayvz,
Thanks for all of the information. I checked out your pictures of the Finca.. I think that it's something that we would really enjoy. Did you also get to go to the hotsprings? I think that we will probably spend the night if we go.I really want to go to Copan to see the ruins but I think I will have time for both. We are fine without nightlife. We usually are so busy during the day that we are ready to stay in and relax at night.
So would you stay at the Iguana Azul again? We are going to get in pretty late our first night so maybe we will stay there our first night we can splurge a bit elsewhere in our trip. I had been already considering Casa de cafe. Our trip isn't until April but we are a group of six so I am concerned that some of the places may book up. Thanks for your help and sharing your photos.

hopefulist

Hacienda San Lucas is really lovely. I haven't stayed there but the restaurant is lovely and there are miles and miles of beautiful hiking trails, including one to Los Sapos, what is believed to be an ancient Maya birthing site.

http://www.haciendasanlucas.com/

Happy trails!

airwayvz

Yep, we went to the hot springs...and we got to stay there about an hour longer than the folks that just went on the day trip as the shuttle back to Copan left from there.

I agree that you'd still have time to see the ruins at Copan...a half day could cover that easily.

We would definitely stay at the Iguana Azul again. There's only 3 private rooms though so if you do decide to stay there I'd book in advance. While it has shared toilets and showers, there are three of each plus they all had locking doors, and the showers had hot water.

airwayvz

Then again, if you are a group of six, you could always get a dorm room for the whole group that first night. It's $4 a person and a dorm room sleeps six I believe...although it may have only been four.