Mayan Wonders of Copan

Honduras is not always the first destination that appears on a backpacking itinerary, but it is a country that has huge variety and offers great value. From paradise beaches to historic sites there is a great range of activities for the backpacker to sink their teeth into.

Copan spans a couple of categories, offering fantastic historical significance of the Mayan world as well as an array of activities around the outskirts of the city. The city itself is based on the border of Honduras and Guatemala and is more like a small colonial town than a city. It is a very pretty, clean area where travelers can relax and enjoy the surroundings and have a good enough time at that. However, Copan offers so much more, with a short trip out of the main city taking you to the Mayan ruins at Copan Ruinas. These aren’t quite as impressive as those at Tikal in Guatemala but give you a taste of the Mayan history and certainly make the trip worthwhile. If you really get Mayan fever then you can carry on up to Tikal and really savor the full genius of the Mayan people.

However, the brilliance of Copan is in its location, surrounded by hills and valleys which hide huge ranches, coffee plantations and much more. For those yearning for a bit of adventure you can take on one of the many tours available which can include horseback riding across mountains and through rivers, guided tours around coffee plantations or trips to hot springs where you can relax after a long, busy day.

Whatever your reason for going, Copan is a backpacking destination to savor and one that deserves to be near the top of any traveler’s list.