Copán Department, Honduras
Discover intricate stone carvings and the longest known Maya text. Compare entrance fees, review border crossing logistics, and book the right tour.
4.8 from 113 traveller reviews on Viator
Tickets & tours
Options range from quick local guided walks to multi-day border excursions.
Most bookedOne of the most remarkable Maya archaeological sites in Central America, Copán Ruins is located in western Honduras, overlooking a tributary of the Motagua River....
Top ratedStep back 1,600 years on this expertly guided day trip from San Pedro Sula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Copán Ruins — The centrepiece of the day. Wander the Great...
Best valueTravel to the heart of the ancient Mayan civilization and discover why Copán is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Americas, declared World Heritage...
Explore
Key areas of the archaeological park and what to expect.
2 spotsThe Great PlazaThe expansive northern public square with detailed stelae.Explore Photo: tour listing on Viator
3 spotsRoyal ComplexExplore the elevated royal complex and the dynasty's main tombs.Explore Photo: tour listing on Viator
2 spotsNearby AttractionsSites located just outside the main archaeological core.Explore Photo: tour listing on Viator
The Hieroglyphic Stairway contains over 2,000 glyphs, forming the longest known Maya text in the world.
A protective tarp covers the 63 steps to prevent erosion.
Plan your visit
The main archaeological site takes 2 to 3 hours. Add 45 minutes for the museum or Las Sepulturas.
The site is open year-round. Visit during the dry season from December to April for optimal conditions.
Tourist shuttles from Antigua run directly to town. The ruins are a 15-minute walk from the center.
Foreigners pay $15 to $20 USD for main entry. Tunnels and the sculpture museum cost extra.
The Copan Ruins served as a major Maya capital from the 5th to the 9th centuries. Today, the 54-acre central area showcases some of the most intricate stone carvings in the Americas. Visitors explore elaborate stelae, a classic ball court, and royal tombs.
Unlike the towering pyramids of Tikal, Copan focuses on artistic detail. You can learn more about this in our Copan vs Tikal comparison. A resident population of scarlet macaws lives near the entrance, adding wildlife viewing to the archaeological experience.
The Honduran Institute of Anthropology and History manages the site. Foreign entry is $15 to $20 USD. You can explore independently or hire a guide. Read our Guide vs. Solo guide for details on hiring local experts.
We list what is included and what costs extra, like border fees.
We provide realistic travel times from neighboring countries.
We summarize real traveler warnings and highlight logistical issues.
From Viator
113 reviews of the classic san salvador day trip on Viator
Our guide was a local who had so much interesting information on the Mayan Ruins. Great place to visit, make sure you see the tunnels and as much as possible. I recommend the tour and the guide. Reasonable price for so much history.
This was such a fun day tour! We got picked up from our hotel and all the boarder crossings went very smoothly. We arrived early enough to comfortably see the ruins and take a lot of pictures. Then we headed into the small village and had lunch and time for some souvenirs. If you get a chance to do this I would highly do it!
Alfredo Diaz was a great tour guide. He made my El Salvador vacation fun, enjoyable, and educational. It was truly a wonderful experience. What an awesome guy—he is a truly valuable asset to the company!
A long, arduous ride, but completely worth the effort to get there! The staff is friendly and knowledgeable.
Francisco was a complete pleasure and knowledgeable of the laws crossing through the borders of the countries. As the drive was long, Francisco would offer any stops needed for refreshments or bathrooms. Our tour guide Jovanni was extremely knowledgeable about the site itself and others found in Central America. He offered guides in both Spanish and English. We would happily book again.
Kerim was great. Had a personalized tour that was relaxing. He is very knowledgeable of of country. The ruins were a far drive but worth it. Different from many of the other ruins in Central America.
The tour operator was one of the best people I’ve ever met while traveling. He was incredibly friendly, helpful, and reliable. Everything went smoothly, and what I initially expected to be a stressful travel day turned into one of the highlights of my trip to Honduras. 10/10 - would absolutely recommend.
We had an amazing experience traveling through Guatemala to get to Copan Ruinas in Honduras. Everything was planned extremely well and our driver, Carlos, and guide, Carolina, were especially great. It’s a long drive both ways, but highly worth it to see the beautiful ruins, nature park, and walk around the quaint village. Highly recommend this tour!
We had a great time during this activity. Our driver Don Carlos and the guide Dona Carolina were great and accommodated the activity to our needs with multiple bathroom stops during the drive from Guatemala City to Copan as it was needed. We had another guide provided by the National Park during our Copan excursion who also was great! Absolutely recommend this activity!
Travel tips
Entry Cost GuideDetailed breakdown of Copan Ruins ticket costs and optional add-ons.Read 
Antigua to CopanFind the easiest way to cross the border from Guatemala to Copan.Read 
Best time to visitFind out when to visit for good weather and fewer crowds.Read Copan vs TikalCompare Copan's intricate carvings with Tikal's towering temples.Read 
Guide vs. SoloWeigh the pros and cons of hiring a guide at Copan Ruins.Read 
Tunnels GuideDecide if the extra $15 fee for the underground tunnels is worth it.Read Yes, especially if you appreciate intricate artistic details. It is renowned for its high-relief stone carvings, elaborate stelae, and the Hieroglyphic Stairway rather than sheer architectural size.
The main archaeological park entry fee for foreigners is $15 to $20 USD. The Museum of Maya Sculpture costs an extra $7 to $10 USD. Access to the archaeological tunnels requires a separate $15 USD ticket. Read our Entry Cost Guide guide for details.
Exploring the main archaeological site takes roughly 2 to 3 hours. Allow an extra 45 minutes if you plan to visit the Museum of Maya Sculpture or Las Sepulturas.
No, you can explore independently. However, guides provide valuable context about the Maya rulers and intricate carvings. See our Guide vs. Solo breakdown for pros and cons.
Tourist shuttles run directly from Antigua to Copan Ruinas town. The journey takes 5 to 7 hours and costs $40 to $55 USD. Ensure you have your passport ready for the border crossing.
The site is world-famous for its deep, 3D stone carvings and elaborate stelae. It also features the Hieroglyphic Stairway, which contains over 2,000 glyphs and is the longest known Maya text.
Book your tour early, especially if traveling from Guatemala or El Salvador during the dry season.
