Honduras: How are the Copan Ruins?
 

How do the Copan ruins compare to places like Tikal in Guatemala and Chichen Itza in Mexico? I was impressed by both of them, so now that I'm planning a trip to Honduras, I'm wondering how their ruins will compare. (I've also seen Machu Picchu and Angkor Wat, as far as my "ruin" experience goes.) I don't want to be disappointed by Copan, although it won't be the focus of my trip. I'm planning on three nights in Copan (at Marina Copan), three nights at La Ceiba (Lodge at Pico Bonito), and three nights in Roatan (Anthony's Key, Palmetto Bay, Barefoot Cay).

Copan is very nice and I would highly recommend them. Bigger and Better than Chichen Itza. I don't think it will give you the impact of Machu Picchu, with its marvelous views and the significant trip in. However it is a meaningful site.

There is a coffee plantation just outside of town which is worth a tour or horseback riding(http://www.fincaelcisne.com/)

Twisted Tanya's (http://www.twistedtanya.com/ is also a nice place to unwind

While in Roatan, check out Seadancer Villas (www.seadancer.net)

Dan

I wouldn't typify the ruins of Copán as bigger than Chichen Itza but I like them MUCH more. CI just seemed pretty sterile to me and you can't climb on or in anything - hard to get a "feel" for the place. I've enjoyed my visits to Tikal (3 so far) but it lacks the artistry of Copán which is known for its stelae, altars, and terrific stone gargoyles, jaguars, and faces. The setting isn't large or wild and jungly but wooded and lovely; I especially enjoy the cemetery section at the back. There's a nice nature trail, too, and the museum is gorgeous.

The town is very cute and there's lots to do in the area including more museums, hiking, the bird park, a butterfly place, and fascinating neighboring villages. I've spent about a month total there, split between 2005 and 2008 trips; lots of photos, blogs, and detailed travelogue links here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

Happy trails!

I spent 6 weeks backpacking La Ruta Maya, visiting well over 80 ruins both known and not-so-well known. I easily count Copan in my Top 3 Maya sites.

Copan's appeal to me is the aesthetics. Many of the stelae are well preserved / conditioned, revealing a wealth of detail. The main plaza is dramatically surrounded on three sides by a massive, terraced stairway. Perhaps the most famous attraction in Copan is the Hieroglyphic Staircase. I overheard one tour guide say to his clients, "Tikal is the Manhattan of the Maya World, and Copan is the Paris."

Also, the museum there is perhaps the finest that I had seen at any of the other Maya sites.

If you have the time, take a short trip into Guatemala and see the small site of Quirigua. This site contains the tallest stella carved by the Maya, as well as intriguing zoomorphic altars. The site is situated in the middle of a large banana plantation owned by Del Monte (formerly, owned by the United Fruit Company). This site is a perfect compliment to Copan...

JODYxBUFFY - What are your other favorites? I've visited about a dozen Maya ruins in 4 countries so have quite a ways to go. It doesn't help the cause that I keep going back to my favorites over and over. ;-)